Rob Zombie preview

Aragon, Chicago
Sunday, November 22, 2009

What are you supposed to expect from Rob Zombie’s forthcoming Hellbilly Deluxe 2: Noble Jackals, Penny Dreadfuls And The Systematic Dehumanization Of Cool (Roadrunner/Loud & Proud)? The whole world only has access to two of the 11 tracks, so you’ll just have to join him at the Aragon to find out.

A companion piece to 1998’s original and his fourth solo disc overall (despite numerous best-ofs and a live album), Hellbilly 2 represents a return to regular ol’ rock music following time making both music for movies and movies (his Halloweenremake and its new sequel) themselves. This pre-support tour is also the first major roll-out of the Rob Zombie band, which recorded with him as opposed to the rotating cameos and studio hands who abetted his earlier projects. As for the music, “Sick Bubble-Gum,” which has been shared with fans, steps away from his more electronic, Ministry-styled arrangements with fleet fretwork and a stomping, blues-rock beat. “What?” the single, references old Zombie friends like Jack The Ripper and vampires over a muscular guitar lick reminiscent, oddly, of Weiland projects like Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver. Two madly different tracks — and still nine more to go.

– Steve Forstneger

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