Album Review: Static-X – Wisconsin Death Trip (25th Anniversary Corrosive Edition) (Otsego Entertainment Group)

On December 12th, 2025, metal icons Static-X are releasing a 25th anniversary edition of their legendary debut album, ‘Wisconsin Death Trip’. Released in 1999, the album introduced the world to the iconic lineup of Wayne Static, Koichi Fukuda, Tony Campos and Ken Jay.

The current line-up reunited with the original producer Ulrich Wild as well as original photographer Exum to deliver a whole new experience for the album.

The album has been remastered by Wild, and a second disc of demos, alternate versions and rare tracks are included making the album total over an hour and eleven minutes across 22 tracks. Exum unearthed hundreds of never-before-seen photos from the shoot and the band have used them to completely redesign the packaging. Limited edition deluxe versions include signed prints, laser engraved ID tag, ID bracelet with QR code linking to the full 8mm BTS video footage of the Wisconsin Death Trip photo shoot, pill bottle, stickers and more.

The anniversary edition – ‘Wisconsin Death Trip (25th Anniversary Corrosive Edition)’ – is the ultimate death trip, containing 2 handmade, orange and black eclipse vinyl with remastered versions of the original album audio, presented in a comprehensive box set, filled with bonus tracks and never seen artwork.

It’s time to take deep dive into nostalgia because I was 15 years old when this album came out, finding my feet in the world of metal, and I absolutely loved this record. So much so that I actually revisit some of these tracks fairly regularly today. It is an iconic album with some of the best Static-X tracks ever released. I don’t think anyone can deny that, regardless of their feelings on the band that was and the band that is now.

I still dig ‘em, even if I still think Xer0 (current vocalist) wearing a mask that resembles Wayne Static is odd. Before you jump in, I know the reasons and respect the reasons, I just don’t think it’s necessary. Anyway, I’m not here to the focus on the now, I’m here to look back, and how f**king strong is the first half of this album? It’s not quite front-loaded, but it’s not far off it. Push It, I’m With Stupid, Bled for Days, Love Dump, and I Am. These are absolute bangers, and there is no retro metal playlist that I create for a party that doesn’t include at least one of these tracks.

Now, a party playlist is going to include several of these bangers instead as the remastering job certainly makes everything sound richer, expands on the bass, and better balances the vocals and guitars.

It was so cool to hear several of these songs live back in 2009 too. One of my all-time favourite shows was a Static-X show at the Islington Academy in London. A gig that took place in June of that year. Were you there too? I was pretty drunk by the end, but I remember it being an absolute blast and being so impressed by Wayne’s on-stage persona. He might have been a tortured soul, but his legacy lives on.

So, how often do you check out the latter half of Wisconsin Death Trip? Because there some hidden gems back there. Least of all the groovy Stem and the industrialised energy of Sweat of the Bud. Of course, in the back end, you’ll also find Fix and we all know that’s a Static-X banger, right!? Though I do think the album begins to fall apart with The Trance is the Motion, before collapsing into experimental nonsense with December. I wasn’t a fan back then, feeling like the album should have been a tight ten tracks instead of twelve, and while my musical palette has expanded enough to find enjoyment here now, I still don’t rate the end of the record.

The first of the bonus tracks is a track that was originally only released on the Japanese Edition of the album. Called Down, it’s a cool little ditty with some interesting electronica and a chorus that is… odd, but it does have a cutting room floor feel too. Though at this stage of the anniversary edition, that’s to be expected as the expanded release brings us long forgotten efforts, demos, and unedited versions of hit songs. The stuff for the hardcore fan, though I do get a kick out of hearing an unedited I Am and an early demo of Love Dump.

No matter what, you get bang for your buck, and the overall thing is a glowing tribute to one of metal’s most iconic albums. Long live the death trip.

Static-X – Wisconsin Death Trip (25th Anniversary Corrosive Edition) Track Listing:

1. Push It (25th Anniversary Remaster)
2. I’m With Stupid (25th Anniversary Remaster)
3. Bled for Days (25th Anniversary Remaster)
4. Love Dump (25th Anniversary Remaster)
5. I Am (25th Anniversary Remaster)
6. Otsegolation (25th Anniversary Remaster)
7. Stem (25th Anniversary Remaster)
8. Sweat of the Bud (25th Anniversary Remaster)
9. Fix (25th Anniversary Remaster)
10. Wisconsin Death Trip (25th Anniversary Remaster)
11. The Trance Is the Motion (25th Anniversary Remaster)
12. December (25th Anniversary Remaster)
13. Down (25th Anniversary Remaster)
14. Head (25th Anniversary Remaster)
15. Head Titan AE (25th Anniversary Remaster)
16. S. O.M. (25th Anniversary Remaster)
17. So Real (25th Anniversary Remaster)
18. I Am – Unedited (25th Anniversary Remaster)
19. Wisconsin Death Trip – Unedited (25th Anniversary Remaster)
20. Love Dump – Demo (25th Anniversary Remaster)
21. I’m With Stupid – Radio Edit (25th Anniversary Remaster)
22. December – Unedited (25th Anniversary Remaster)

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