If you’ve heard any of this album yet, you already know this is Rob Zombie’s return to the Hellbilly aesthetic. “The Great Satan” will have old school Zombie and horror fans playing it loud and proud. The album features fifteen new horror metal and hard rock tracks that immediately drop you into the neon splattered freak show universe he perfected in the 90s.
Most tracks clock in around the three minute mark, which keeps the energy tight but occasionally leaves you wanting more. Three short interludes stand out as eerie, theatrical fillers: “Who Am I” at 0:34, “Welcome To The Electric Age” at 0:54, and “Grave Discontent” at 1:00. Each adds to the horror atmosphere without overstaying its welcome.
“Tarantula” was the standout track for me. The buildup and headbanging momentum are undeniable. Its catchy guitar riffs and chorus will have die hard Zombie fans wishing it never ended. The middle features a Joan Crawford sample from the 1954 Western “Johnny Guitar,” where she says, “You stand there in your funeral clothes like vultures waiting for another corpse.” The line feels intentionally pointed at those who capitalize on tragedy, circling like vultures.
“Heathen Days” is another highlight. It takes a faster, more cutthroat approach and leans into a stripped down, raw sound. The guitar driven structure steps away from the heavier electronic polish of his more recent releases and feels more aggressive and immediate.
The previously released single “Punks And Demons” ranks as my third favorite. While repetitive, it’s a groove heavy anthem that is almost impossible to shake. Zombie has always had a talent for turning horror themed lyrics into chantable hooks that live rent free in your head. As both a filmmaker and musician, that crossover theatricality is something he should take pride in.
In the end, any fan who has ever loved Rob Zombie, even those who drifted away during the last few albums, should give this one a listen. It feels like a return to the aggressive, experimental sound that built the Zombie Army in the first place. If this is a sign of what’s to come, there is plenty to be excited about. For now, it stands as a reminder that Rob Zombie still knows exactly how to feed his shock rock faithful.
