Zombie’s latest freakshow reanimates metal

Monday, February 8, 2010 - 12:13 AM

“Hellbilly Deluxe 2” is the fourth solo studio album from former White Zombie frontman Rob Zombie. Photo by Roadrunner Records

There are few things in life that can successfully combine Jesus, Frankenstein, werewolves, bubblegum and Nazis into one musical journey through Hell, and Rob Zombie’s latest album “Hellbilly Deluxe 2” is one of them.

With this sequel album to “Hellbilly Deluxe,” which was released in 1998, his sound has become more mainstream, and there is still plenty of B-movie horror imagery to go around.
The first song on the album, “Jesus Frankenstein,” sets the stage. It starts with howling wind and a strong bass before going headlong into a hard rock guitar intro. It’s the equivalent of pulling into a drive-thru movie at midnight to watch a creature-feature in the bed of a truck.

Upon first listen, all this sounded corny and overdone. Then it hit me that that is the point. Once that sunk in, I realized that song was actually catchy with a good hard rock hook and a memorable chorus. Most of the album has this same effect, starting with either a sound bite of some low-grade horror movie dialogue then flipping a switch and letting the heavy-metal guitar take over.

At its best, “Hellbilly Deluxe 2” delivers some tracks that demand to be danced to. The short but sweet “What” has the catchiness of a song by “The Strokes,” just ten times more lyrics about cannibals and Jack the Ripper.

Some blues riffs add some flair to the album when things start getting a little repetitive, like the gothic blues-rock on “Werewolf, Baby.”

More werewolf imagery comes in the fast-paced “Werewolf Women of the SS,” a surf-rock meets metal song that would make the Beach Boys proud, if they were headbangers. Plus, any song that starts with a narrator speaking about Hitler’s secret plans to create a super race of werewolf women has a special place in my heart.

If only the whole album could keep that mood going…

A few songs felt like Zombie was just trying too hard. My main problem is the track “Sick Bubblegum,” an angry anthem about chewing bubblegum. With all the other over-the-top ideas on the record, bubblegum just feels forced.

Luckily, Zombie goes out of his way on the final song, “The Man Who Laughs,” with a near 10-minute symphony of the undead that cascades with strings before pounding the shackled sounds of distorted guitars. It builds to an unnerving three-minute drum solo that feels like a walk through a haunted house.

The lyrics are silly, some of the horror is more camp than creep, but Zombie knows the subject well enough to make it an entertaining romp while it lasts.

Rob Zombie
Hellbilly Deluxe 2: Noble Jackals, Penny Dreadfuls and the Systematic Dehumanization of cool
Release Date: Feb. 2
Genre: Heavy Metal, Industrial
Grade: B+

Garrett Estrada can be reached at gestrada@nevadasagebrush.com.