Rob Zombie: Hellbilly Deluxe

Geffen Records (Audio CD), ASIN: B00000AEFF

The alternate title —13 Tales of Cadaverous Cavorting Inside the Spookshow International — more than explains the content of this raw rock album. Rob Zombie, formerly of White Zombie, starts his roller coaster ride on the dark side with “Call of the Zombie,” a sweet poem spoken by a little girl who whispers of children hiding from the devil.

Then the attack begins with a vengeance. “Superbeast’s” strong power chords and ghostly keyboards prevail throughout this album. Scott Humphrey and Rob Zombie produce a carnival of musical steel where songs are merely narratives of darker, more sinister images.

“Dragula,” an MTV release, describes a Sunday drive through Hell. “Living Dead Girl,” also on MTV, resurrects a disco drumbeat with eerie keyboards and sexy female voices. “Perversion 99” speaks for itself.

With songs representing a perpetual Halloween, Rob Zombie illustrates secrets of occult science and black magic. The opening lyric of “Dragula” growls “superstition, fear, and jealousy.” Dark music for dark times is the impression this album generates.

The lyrics and music are well written and deserve high marks. I will admit I’m biased towards hard rock, but with “Hellbilly Deluxe,” heavy metal is alive or at least undead.

Gary Lange