Rob Zombie - The Electric Warlock Acid Witch Satanic Orgy Celebration Dispenser (2016)

Okay Rob Zombie, I understand that you like to be different, to come up with crazy stuff that no one would ever think of, but this is getting ridiculous. I thought that his last album, "Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor", had a long ass title, and it was fun as a little gimmick, but Rob has taken it to a whole new level. I mean, how in the hell are you gonna remember the name of this album? I can be okay with long title, as long as they are memorable, but this title is not. And like that was not enough, almost all of the songs in the album also have long ass titles. Dear god, tongue twister literally everywhere.

"The Electric Warlock Acid Witch Satanic Orgy Celebration Dispenser", or as I am gonna call it in the future, "TEWAWSOCD", goes in the same style as "Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor", in other words, groovy shock rock with quirky subject matters. It is really obvious that Rob has given all of the titles and lyrics a lot of love and thought, almost more so than to the music itself. Seriously, how the hell does one come up with titles such as "In The Age of The Consecrated Vampire We All Get High" and "Well, Everybody's Fucking In A U.F.O."? It is completely bonkers.

And when you get deeper into the music, you will quickly realize that it is not only the titles that are crazy. Rob is singing about getting some ass, how all the freaks worship him, honey pies, and all sort of crazy shit. The fun never seems to stop with this man, and that is essentially necessary because the music is nothing to write home about. "TEWAWSOCD" tries to capture the groove and magic that "Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor" had, but it ends up sounding like a cheap copy. For example, the main riff of "Medication For The Melancholy" is a straight rip off from "Behold, The Pretty Filthy Creatures!". It is absolutely a great and groovy riff, but that does not mean that you just can recycle it for the new album, that's just lazy man.

Another negative thing about this album is the length of both the songs and the album itself. All but one of the twelve  songs are under 3 minutes (three of those being just 1 and a half minute useless instrumentals), giving the album a mere play time of 33 minutes. So when you reach one of the great songs, like "Well, Everybody's Fucking In A U.F.O.", and get into a good mood, the song is over before you had a chance to truly enjoy it. Short ass songs are for punk and hardcore bands, not for groovy shock rockers. On the other hand though, if you dislike the album, it could be kind of a good thing that the album is so short, minimizing the torture, but as a guy who likes Rob Zombie, I want more music for my money.

One thing I do like about the album is that it is Rob Zombie to the bone. It is his signature style, and he knows how to get the most out of it. The production is spot on, Rob's performance is scary and cool, so it is mostly good there. I still cannot get over the fact that the song writing is fairly weak, that very little is sticking after the album is done.

I get the feeling like Rob Zombie is focusing more on his movies this time around than on his music, because unlike its title, "TEWOWSOCD" is a really short, sloppy album. It tries to be groovy and fun, but it ends up being a complete mess that just does not cut it. I am really disappointed over this effort, especially since the predecessor was such an awesome album that just spitted out great song after great song. Oh well, I do at least know that Rob will do a hell of a show with these songs, because these particular songs desperately need it.

Songs worthy of recognition: "Well, Everybody's Fucking In A U.F.O.", Medication For The Melancholy, Get Your Boots On! That's The End of Rock And Roll

Rating: 5/10 Wurdalaks

Rob Zombie - Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor (2013)

On the side of making music, former White Zombie singer and founder Rob Zombie has had a lot of work in the movie industry. His latest creation, "The Lords of Salem", was released as late as the 19th of April (and yes, I will review that movie sooner or later). So after a failed attempt of creating a similar success with the follow up to the respected album "Hellbilly Deluxe" three years ago, many fans, including yours truly, started to wonder if this movie carrer had took a toll on his music life. After this album, at least I knew that I had gotten the answer I wanted.

"Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor" (damn, that is a long name for a album) is the fifth solo album by Rob Zombie and together with him, we have former Marilyn Manson guitarist John 5 (one of my favourite instrumentalists), bassist Rob "Blasko" Nicholson (Ozzy Osbourne, ex-Danzig) and drummer Kenneth "Ginger Fish" Wilson (ex-Marilyn Manson). In other words, the same gang that made "Hellbilly Deluxe II".

But unlike "Hellbilly Deluxe II", "Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor" is filled with groovy, dark and cool music that makes you think back to the old good days when White Zombie was at their peak. After the slow starter "Teenage Nosferatu Pussy", we get thrown into the adrenaline pumping "Dead City Radio And The New Gods of Supertown" (what is with these long ass titles?). It is groovy, it is catchy and, most importantly, it is a really awesome track. Rob does not stop there though. The grooviness continues in the songs "Lucifer Rising", "Ging Gang Gong De Do Gong De Laga Raga" (weirdest and maybe coolest song title ever) and "Behold, The Pretty Filthy Creatures!". This album is for most of the part one big fist pumping adventure.

And when the speed is not the highest priority, the heavy side takes the lead instead. Even though I like this side of Rob Zombie a little less than the faster counter part, I still enjoy it when all the pieces fits together, like they do in "White Trash Freaks" and "The Girl Who Loved The Monsters".

Then we also have that cover of the Grand Funk Railroad song "We're An American Band". It is an acceptable cover, but I expected more from Rob Zombie when it comes to this cover. I like the original and this cover does not have enough of a own personality to make it memorable. So as far as I am concerned, this cover could have easily been left out of this album.

It seems to me that Rob Zombie must have gotten a lot of inspiration after creating the movie "The Lords of Salem", because "Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor" is, together with "Hellbilly Deluxe", the best solo album he has released. Despite from an uninspiring cover and "Theme For The Rat Vendor", this record is a groovy experience that not only makes you remember the days when White Zombie was together, but also hope that Rob will find his way back to these good old days. This is one of the bigger comebacks this year, and I love it more than saying Ging Gang Gong De Do Gang De Laga Raga.

Songs worthy of recognition: Dead City Radio And The New Gods of Supertown, "Behold, The Pretty Filthy Creatures!", The Girl Who Loved The Monsters, Lucifer Rising

Rating: 9/10 White Trash Freaks