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
Right from the first notes, The Revenge of Alice Cooper feels like a time machine. The guitars have a raw, analog warmth that instantly recalls the 1970s heyday of Alice’s band, yet the production is modern enough to avoid sounding like a museum relic. The title track is pure Cooper, a slinking riff, a catchy chorus, and a narrative that feels like it was pulled straight from a haunted funhouse.
Track Highlights
“Hallowed Be Thy Psycho”
This track sets the tone for the entire album: grim, mischievous, and riff-driven. The chorus is absurdly catchy, and the guitars, handled with bluesy finesse, make it impossible not to headbang.
“Cutting Room Floor”
Alice leans into his storytelling chops here, delivering a song that feels like a murder ballad disguised as a rock anthem. The lyrics walk that fine line between creepy and comical, with lines that only Alice could pull off without sounding ridiculous.
“Dollface Executioner”
One of the standout moments on the record. It combines a theatrical arrangement with some of the sharpest guitar solos on the album. The riffs are straight out of the classic Alice Cooper playbook, simple but devastatingly effective.
“The Revenge of Alice Cooper” (Title Track)
This is the centerpiece of the album. It’s a song that feels both defiant and celebratory, as if Alice is simultaneously laughing at death and inviting it in for a drink. It’s the kind of track that will fit perfectly into his live set, complete with a stage show full of fake blood and mock executions.
Production & Musicianship
One of the reasons this album works so well is its production quality. It’s polished but not overly sterile, a trap many classic rock veterans fall into when trying to “modernize” their sound. Here, the guitars roar, the bass rumbles with confidence, and the drums sound like they’re being played by someone who isn’t afraid to hit hard.
Alice’s voice has aged like a fine whiskey, rougher around the edges but still smooth enough to deliver every sneer, growl, and sarcastic quip. You can tell he’s not just phoning it in; there’s a genuine fire behind these performances.
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. Tracks like “Hallowed Be Thy Psycho” and “Dead by Dessert” (yes, that’s a real track, and yes, it’s as wonderfully absurd as it sounds) showcase Alice’s ability to laugh at the darkness while fully embracing it.
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.”
