PLASMATICS - Coup d'Etat  [Limited Edition]

Posted: 04/21/08

Reviewed by: Dirt

Category: Heavy Metal

Originally Released:  1982    Reissued: 02/05/08

Label URL: www.carolinerecords.com

Artist URL:

I was always a fan of Plasmatics lead vocalist Wendy O. Williams, but was only familiar with her solo releases, the Plasmatics appearances on Tom Snyder's Tomorrow show, and the single/video from Coup d'Etat, "The Damned."  So...when I received this limited edition digital remaster from Caroline, which is a Japanese style mini-vinyl sleeve reproduction of the original vinyl release, it was something I was excited to plug in.

The opening track "Put Your Love In Me" is a surprising crotch rock track, something which is similar to some of Wendy's solo output.  Wendy's gravel vocal style is just vicious and Richie Stotts guitar leads are smokin' on this track.  The mid-paced "Stop" is a bit darker and also a highlight of the disc.  A killer rendition of Motorhead's "No Class" appears as well.  Of course, "The Damned" is just aggressive as hell (have you seen the video?) and "Mistress Of Taboo" is up there as well.  Wendy's softly sung lines of "Country Fairs" give way to the throaty voice we all love - an interesting approach to say the least. 
 

The Bloody Truth:  Coup d'Etat is the bridge between the band's early punk sound and the straight ahead metal sound of Wendy's solo albums.  Muted chuggah chuggah riffing, power chords and metal solos rule the disc, and the overall songs are more metal than they are punk. Apparently Coup d'Etat was not a commercial success upon its initial release but it has become an underground classic nowadays.  Produced by Dieter Dierks (Scorpions), the 'underground classic' tag is certainly justified, as Coup d'Etat is a gritty, honest, early 80s sounding heavy metal recording.  Wendy was a true original and I believe today she would be in the same league as Lemmy if she hadn't committed suicide on April 6, 1998 at the age of 48.  I always felt that she was ahead of her time and the pop music mentality of the 80s didn't allow her to fully break in.  Now, after the success of heavy bands in the 90s and the 00s, she would have gained the respect she so deserved.