The Revenge of Alice Cooper - Album Review
There are legends, and then there’s Alice Cooper, a man who, against all odds, has managed to outlive every rock obituary ever written for him. When the world thought shock rock was a fad, Alice sharpened his guillotine and made it iconic. When critics claimed his theatrics would overshadow the music, he delivered some of the most enduring hard rock records of the 1970s.
And now, in 2025, with The Revenge of Alice Cooper, he’s back to remind everyone why he’s still the grand master of sinister storytelling and unapologetic rock theater. Set to be released on July 25, 2025, this album marks not only a return to Alice’s signature sound but also a reunion with the spirit of his early band days.
While his discography has been a rollercoaster of styles, dipping into glam, hard rock, and even industrial, this record is a reaffirmation of what made him a legend: bluesy riffs, razor-sharp solos, and lyrics that drip with equal parts humor and horror.
The Sound of Revenge
From the first sinister notes of Black Mamba, The Revenge of Alice Cooper feels like stepping into a twisted time machine. It’s a record that channels the raw, theatrical spirit of Alice’s 1970s heyday, think Killer and Billion Dollar Babies, but with enough modern punch to avoid sounding like a nostalgia act. This isn’t Alice clinging to past glories; this is Alice reclaiming his throne.
The guitars snarl with analog warmth, the bass grooves are taut, and the production, helmed once again by long-time collaborator Bob Ezrin, manages to sound both contemporary and vintage. Alice’s voice is raspy, aged like a fine whiskey, but still capable of delivering that signature sneer and sly wit. The record feels like it was written to be performed live, with each track dripping in showmanship and a sense of macabre humor.
Track Highlights
“Black Mamba”
The opener strikes hard, blending venomous riffs with a bluesy swagger that recalls Alice’s earliest band days. The chorus is infectious, and there’s an almost serpentine groove that sets the tone for the rest of the album. It’s a perfect introduction, dangerous, theatrical, and dripping with attitude.
“Wild Ones”
A classic Alice anthem in waiting, this track feels like a love letter to the outcasts and freaks of the world. With its driving rhythm and earworm chorus, it’s a future live staple. You can practically hear the crowd chants already.
“Kill the Flies”
Here, Alice leans into his dark storytelling. With imagery that’s as grotesque as it is poetic, the song feels like a spiritual cousin to “Dead Babies” or “Halo of Flies.” The riffs and Ezrin’s layered production give this track an almost cinematic tension.
“Blood on the Sun”
The longest track on the album at just over six minutes, this is an epic centerpiece. It combines doom-laden riffs with psychedelic flourishes, building toward a chorus that feels both triumphant and unsettling. It’s Alice at his most theatrical, with a spoken-word bridge that feels ripped from a nightmare.
“Crap That Gets in the Way of Your Dreams”
Only Alice could write a song with a title this blunt and make it both funny and strangely uplifting. The track has a garage rock energy, paired with tongue-in-cheek lyrics that will have longtime fans grinning.
“Inter Galactic Vagabond Blues”
Equal parts camp and chaos, this is one of the most playful songs on the record. It’s a spacey, glam-laden romp that wouldn’t feel out of place on Welcome to My Nightmare. Expect this one to become a cult favorite.
“See You on the Other Side”
The album’s closer is a moody, reflective ballad, a goodbye and a wink to the audience. With its haunting piano lines and emotional vocal performance, it’s a reminder of Alice’s ability to balance the macabre with genuine sentiment.
Production & Musicianship
One of the album’s strengths is its impeccable production. Bob Ezrin knows how to make an Alice Cooper record feel both grandiose and gritty. The guitar tones, courtesy of Michael Bruce and the rest of the original Alice Cooper band, are sharp yet warm, evoking classic cuts without sounding dated. Dennis Dunaway’s bass lines are punchy and melodic, while Neal Smith’s drumming hits hard, giving each song a heartbeat that feels alive and unrelenting.
Alice himself is in top form. His voice has weathered, but in the best way possible, it adds character and gravitas to every sneer, whisper, and shout. You get the sense he’s fully present on this record, reveling in every twisted lyric and theatrical moment.
Humor, Horror, and Humanity
Alice Cooper has always been more than just a shock-rocker. His songs, while often theatrical, have a way of sneaking in sharp social commentary or sly humor. The Revenge of Alice Cooper is no different. Alice’s ability to laugh at the darkness while fully embracing it is evident here.
There’s also an underlying sense of self-awareness throughout the album. Alice knows his persona is larger-than-life, and he leans into it with the kind of confidence that only decades of experience can bring. He’s not trying to chase trends or outdo younger acts, he’s simply doing what he does best: crafting music that’s fun, slightly unhinged, and unapologetically Alice.
The Old Meets the New
This album feels like a deliberate callback to the Alice Cooper Band era, when albums were constructed like rock operas, with a clear narrative and visual identity. In that sense, The Revenge of Alice Cooper is both a modern record and a love letter to his past.
There are shades of Billion Dollar Babies in the way the songs balance macabre themes with mainstream hooks. At times, you can even hear echoes of the bluesy grit of Killer. Yet, this isn’t just a nostalgia trip. Alice has managed to blend his history with a sound that feels current, proving that even at this stage in his career, he’s far from becoming a museum exhibit.
A Twisted Carnival Ride Through Alice’s Legacy
The Revenge of Alice Cooper is not just another late-career release. It’s a statement, a reminder that Alice can still command the stage and the studio with a mix of wit, grit, and theatrical genius. It’s a record that knows exactly what it is: fun, dark, and wildly entertaining.
For longtime fans, this album is a celebration of everything that made Alice an icon. For newcomers, it’s an invitation to step into his twisted carnival and understand why he’s still a vital part of rock’s DNA.
At 77, Alice Cooper could easily rest on his laurels, but The Revenge of Alice Cooper proves he’s still got a few tricks up his sleeve. It’s not trying to reinvent the wheel, but when that wheel is spinning through a haunted funhouse filled with riff-driven rock anthems, why would you want it to?
This album is both a love letter to his past and a bold reminder that Alice Cooper is still the king of blending humor, horror, and rock ’n’ roll swagger.
Written by: Chernoglav, the Hero with the Silver Moustache
“Howdy, I’m Chern. Yes, I still listen to Power Metal and yes, I still cover my face for tax reasons. I review gigs and live in the Citadel with the other half of this duopoly of doom, Chort. Oh and our dog, Ratboy.”
