ROB ZOMBIE
’The Great Satan’
Nuclear Blast Records
https://www.robzombie.com/

‘The Great Satan’ is the 8th studio album by musician and filmmaker ROB ZOMBIE.  Rob’s latest collection of music, his first in nearly five years, can actually be summed up in just two words; classic Zombie!

What era is that?  I would classify it between WHITE ZOMBIE’s 1992 album ‘La Sexorcisto: Devil Music Volume One’ and Rob’s 2001 sophomore solo album ‘The Sinister Urge’.

If “F.T.W. 84” isn’t the opening song for ROB ZOMBIE’s upcoming 2026 tour, then someone should be fired.  This anthemic track is loaded with bombastic energy that is sure to induce fists in the air and cries in the night.  Lyrically Zombie could be paying homage to the classic George Orwell novel ‘1984’, or possibly the current state of the world in 2026.

“Tarantula” is a horror movie plot brought to life with furious riffs, thumping bass, and exploding drums.  Trademark Rob Zombie dialogue clips add to the texture and help set the time period for this tale.  The dialogues continue throughout the entire album. 

“(I’m a) Rock “N” Roller” is an autobiographical ode to Zombie’s onstage persona mixed with his personal Rock heroes.  “Heathen Days” hits like a punch in the mouth with its fast paced tempo and scratchy, angered vocal delivery.  “Black Rat Coffin” is an effects heavy cosmic trip into Heavy Metal madness. 

“Sir Lord Acid Wolfman” has a trippy Progressive Jazz feel to it (if you can believe that), carried by Rob’s demonic vocals.  As you would expect, “Punks and Demons” hits you like a rebellious Punk Rock track.  The album’s title was taken from the lyrics of this one. 

“The Devilman” could easily be the sequel to its predecessor.  This one marches to a much slower beat and is loaded with chant-along vocal sections.  This one reminds me of something ALICE COOPER could have included on his 2000 ‘Brutal Planet’ album.   

Stomping kick drums dominate “Revolution Motherfuckers” while Rob urges you to buck the system.  Just when you thought the pace couldn’t get more fervent, Zombie and his co-horts put the pedal to metal on “The Black Scorpion”.  Watch out for that creepy synth organ run.  “Unclean Animals” goes even heavier on the chilling synths. 

If you thought ROB ZOMBIE was a little “out there” for his last couple of albums, rest assured he has returned to his roots on ‘The Great Satan’.  Could the return of bassist Blasko and guitarist Riggs have something to do with that?  Maybe.  What I know for sure is that ROB ZOMBIE’s latest reminds you why you became a fan to begin with back in the late ‘90s and early 2000s.

4.5 out of 5.0