Along Came A Spider

"Along Came A Spider" is a chilling and captivating journey into the mind of a deranged serial killer, as envisioned by the legendary Alice Cooper. Released on July 29, 2008, via earMUSIC, this 25th studio album from the rock icon is a conceptual masterpiece that weaves a gripping narrative through its 12 tracks, with three additional bonus tracks. The album's central character, Spider, is a psychopathic killer who sees himself as an arachnid, stalking and trapping his victims with cold, calculated precision. This theme is expertly woven into the album's music, which blends glam rock, hard rock, glam metal, proto-punk, and classic rock elements to create a unique and haunting soundscape.

The album opens with the prologue "I Know Where You Live," setting the stage for the chilling tale that unfolds. Standout tracks like "Vengeance Is Mine," the album's sole single, and "Wake the Dead" showcase Alice Cooper's signature theatricality and sharp songwriting. The album's title track, "I Am the Spider (Epilogue)," brings the story full circle, leaving the listener with a sense of unease and satisfaction. With a runtime of just over 56 minutes, "Along Came A Spider" is a gripping exploration of the darker side of human nature, delivered with all the flair and finesse that fans have come to expect from Alice Cooper. The album's artwork and lyrics evoke the pulp magazines and comics of the 1940s and 1950s, as well as the graphic novels of today, making it a visual and auditory feast for the senses.