Album Review: Rob Zombie - The Great Satan
Rob Zombie returns to a spirit that transports the listener back nearly thirty years to the era of Hellbilly Deluxe. This nostalgic atmosphere is largely thanks to the return of guitarist Mike Riggs (replacing John 5, who departed for Mötley Crüe) and bassist Rob "Blasko" Nicholson (who is no longer touring with Ozzy Osbourne). The master’s signature style is immediately apparent, with that infectious metal sound ("Black Rat Coffin," "Out Of Sight") punctuated by thrashier riffs ("Punks and Demons," "The Black Scorpion") and always embellished with flourishes that evoke B-movies and vintage horror ("Grave Discontent"). But while more recent records leaned into psychedelia and a certain theatrical flair, The Great Satan shifts toward a darker, rawer sound—at times more industrial (reminiscent of his legendary work with White Zombie) but above all, resolutely heavy.
While it may not reinvent the wheel, The Great Satan possesses a gritty, unsettling character, heightened by a straightforward approach that gives it a more menacing edge. It’s a side that Rob Zombie enjoys exploring without over-relying on gimmicks; beyond well-placed samples and synths, the production is lean and intelligent, never cluttered with unnecessary effects and raw enough to hit you head-on. A true guilty pleasure that reeks of hops, sweat, and the flickering grain of an old analog reel playing a vintage film in praise of the living dead.
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Guillaume Ley/Qobuz 
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