Introducing.. The Venoumous Rat Regeneration Vendor, Rated 18
Despite being a busy film director, producer and screenwriter, Rob Zombie has managed to squeeze in the brilliantly composed album Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor showing that he certainly hasn't lost his touch as a musician. Across a lot of his music Zombie has always been able to write heavy, aggressive music with some dark themes, but it never loses its 'fun' edge. All the little nuances consistent with past albums are here, the mad little sound bites, the insane little electronica/industrial sections, all helping contribute to a really solid release.
Opening track Teenage Nosferatu Pussy absolutely sets the tone. Slow, pounding bass and drum sections lay the platform for eerie guitar riffs and crushing vocals. You instantly become hooked by it all. This then leads into the first single off the album, Dead City Radio And The New Gods Of Supertown, which is a much more high tempo track. As the album progresses you actually feel like you're part of a weird and zany B-Movie, becoming totally engrossed by the fantastical themes and crazy song titles like Ging Gang Gong De Do Gong De Laga Raga which incidentally is an absolute blinder of a song and will be a real crowd pleaser live. It is all just put together in a way which makes it feel like an experience when listening to it. Of course all this dynamism is still broken down every now and again by tracks like Lucifer Rising which hits you hard as Zombie brings together elements of Groove and Heavy Metal, and the Punky Trade In Your Guns For A Coffin.
Overall a really pleasantly surprising, and brilliant album.