ALICE COOPER - CONSTRICTOR 12" Vinyl LP Album

- Includes Large Photo of Alice Cooper

A chilling wind blew through the rock landscape of 1986, a cold shiver down the spine of music fans worldwide. From the shadows emerged a familiar figure, a snake charmer with a sinister grin and eyes that burned with renewed fury. Alice Cooper, the godfather of shock rock, had crawled back from the brink with "Constrictor," an album as venomous and captivating as a serpent's bite.

After battling personal demons and a series of commercially underwhelming releases, Cooper was resurrected by the unholy alliance of producer Beau Hill and guitarist Kane Roberts. Together, they conjured a sonic brew that recaptured the macabre magic of Cooper's early classics while injecting a fresh dose of hard rock adrenaline.

"Constrictor" marked a turning point, a musical and thematic rebirth for Cooper. Gone were the bloated excesses and experimental detours of previous albums. In their place stood a leaner, meaner Alice, ready to reclaim his throne as the king of theatrical rock.

The album slithered into our ears with "Teenage Frankenstein," a stomping anthem that embraced the outsider spirit with a ferocious glee. The track set the tone for the rest of the record, a relentless barrage of guitar-driven mayhem and theatrical storytelling. From the sinister seduction of "Give It Up" to the menacing groove of "Thrill My Gorilla," each song was a dark carnival ride, a descent into a world of twisted desires and macabre thrills.

One of the standout tracks, "He's Back (The Man Behind the Mask)," became synonymous with the horror franchise "Friday the 13th." Its pulsating rhythms and ominous lyrics perfectly captured the terrifying essence of Jason Voorhees, the iconic hockey-masked killer. The song cemented Cooper's place in the annals of horror-infused rock, further blurring the lines between music and cinema.

"Constrictor" wasn't without its share of controversy. The album's cover, featuring a leather-clad Cooper entwined with a boa constrictor, raised eyebrows and fueled accusations of satanic imagery. But Cooper, ever the provocateur, reveled in the outrage, using it to further solidify his image as a rock n' roll rebel.

Recorded at Amigo Studios and Atlantic Studios, "Constrictor" captured the raw energy and visceral power of Cooper's live performances. The album's production was slick and polished, yet retained a gritty edge that harkened back to the golden age of rock. Hill's deft touch behind the boards and Roberts' blistering guitar work propelled the songs to new heights, creating a sonic landscape that was both familiar and exhilarating.

In the end, "Constrictor" was more than just an album; it was a statement of defiance, a testament to Cooper's enduring spirit and unwavering commitment to his artistic vision. It marked a triumphant return for a rock legend who had been written off by many, a testament to the power of perseverance and the enduring allure of the dark side.

With "Constrictor," Alice Cooper shed his skin and emerged as a revitalized force, ready to unleash his unique brand of macabre rock on a new generation of fans. The album stands as a testament to his enduring legacy, a reminder that even in the darkest corners of the rock n' roll landscape, there is always room for a little bit of twisted fun.

In the grand tapestry of Alice Cooper's career, "Constrictor" is a venomous thread, woven with equal parts darkness and delight. It is a testament to his enduring spirit, a reminder that the king of shock rock is never truly gone, only waiting in the shadows to strike again.