Rob Zombie, ‘Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor’ – Album Review

Rob Zombie has been making music as a solo artist for nearly 15 years. In 1998, he bounced back from the break-up of White Zombie with 'Hellbilly Deluxe,' and he hasn't slowed down since. Arguably his best album since his debut masterpiece, Zombie's fifth studio album, 'Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor,' is a non-stop thrill ride of freakin' fun rock 'n' roll.

Fans got their first taste of new, original material from the rocker in nearly three years with the lengthy-titled single 'Dead City Radio and the New Gods of Supertown.' This song is the epitome of that nonstop thrill ride fans can expect from 'Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor.' With one listen of this track, it's obvious Zombie is having the time of his life, and that attitude makes the entire album that much more of a fun listen.

Tracks like 'Nosferatu Teenage P--sy' and 'Revelation Revolution' fit perfectly around 'Dead City.' Those three opening tunes leave listeners breathless, but it's with the fifth track that you get a real taste of what Zombie has up his sleeve.

'Ging Gang Gong De Do Gong De Laga Raga' is a three minute and 19 second party that you don't want to end. With lyrics like, "Strapped behind the wheel of a flat-bed truck / A payload of p--sy and Peking Duck / High on the fumes and high on the gas / Rally round the girl with the skull on her ass," Zombie reminds rock fans across the globe why he is so good at what he does. You'll find yourself chanting along with the crazy title as Zombie pounds it into your ears.

'Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor' is rounded out with tracks like the funky, in-your-face 'Rock and Roll (In a Black Hole),' Zombie's own take on the Grand Funk Railroad classic, 'We're An American Band' and the fast-paced album finale, 'Trade in Your Guns for a Coffin.'

It's possible that Zombie has never had a stronger band than what he has on this album. With John 5 covering guitars, Piggy D. on the bass and Ginger Fish playing drums for the first time on a Zombie album, the band as a whole contributes to the overall spirit of 'Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor.' Zombie is a crazy talented guy, but he also surrounds himself with crazy talented musicians.

With track after track of heavy rock (aside from 'Theme for the Rat Vendor,' a 62-second instrumental that doesn't quite fit into the mix), Zombie's fifth album is a release that long-time fans will dig and new fans will find highly addictive. It's fun to listen to, but it also rocks really, really hard. What more can you ask for in an album?

With a brand new book and movie out this year, it would've been easy for Zombie to get distracted and not sink his heart and soul into this record. Fortunately for the rock world, that isn't the case. 'Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor' will be an album that you listen to from beginning to end, and then you'll want to do it all over again.