In this day and age, I can think of far more diabolical things. ROB ZOMBIEs new album, Hellbilly Deluxe 2 Noble Jackals, Penny Dreadfuls and the Systematic Dehumanization of Cool, will be released on November 17th via Geffen Records. The album’s not perfect, but it is a refreshing breath from Zombie. While recreating the infectious, fire-and-brimstone vibe of his genre-defining, solo debut may be next to impossible, Rob Zombie has put forth an effortlessly fun album to digest-one that thrives on the depraved escapism of monsters, movies and mini-skirts. (Check out the Music Machine's 1966 burner, "Trouble" for the genuine article.) About three-quarters of the way "Burn" and "Death And Destiny Inside The Dream Factory" tend to get a tad tedious in the quasi-industrial haze, but Zombie pulls a surly little demon-rabbit out of his tattered hat in the marvelously mad "Werewolf Women of the SS," another throwback to his '60s punk influences. "What?" is one of the strongest numbers in the set with a raw, wiry '60s garage feel, complete with swirling organ riffs and drag-strip flair. "Sick Bubblegum" is a chugging mover that's similar in feel to the original Hellbilly's "Living Dead Girl," sans the ghoulish charm. 18, 2010 By Steve Newton On Hellbilly Deluxe 2, hard-rocking horror auteur Rob Zombie combines his love of low-budget fright flicks and grinding metal the same way he did on his debut solo album, 1998’s Hellbilly Deluxe. "Jesus Frankenstein" opens the proceedings as a stomping, sinister-glam prelude that struts along to vintage Van Halen riffery and a call-to-arms chorus. Album review: Rob Zombie, Hellbilly Deluxe 2 (2010) ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, FEB. And while it's true that there's still a disaffected, tongue-in-cheek aspect to be had, he's struck gold with a consistent band lineup that includes his musical soul mate of sorts, ex-Manson guitarist John 5, whose swaggering chops bring a colorful musicality to the mix. It's easy to look at Zombie's musical career as pastiche, an aural vehicle for his vast knowledge of pop culture.
But beyond the ghastly headshot, it's by far his best work since the original, released over a decade ago.
Despite his success making major motion pictures, Rob Zombie has not joined Hollywood's glitterati-the cover of his new disc Hellbilly Deluxe 2 is ample proof of that. Rob Zombie - Hellbilly Deluxe 2 review: If you havent been in the Zombie camp since the first Hellbilly, Hellbilly 2 probably wont draw you in.