As an artist, Rob Zombie is very much someone who enjoys paying homage to the pop culture he grew up with, all while providing his own eccentric spin. This is apparent in his films, as well as his music, the latter pulling inspiration from classic rock acts such as Kiss and Alice Cooper. His musical emergence in the ‘90s placed him among the nu metal bands of the time, but as time has gone on, Zombie has embraced more of that rock angle. 

His meshing of music and theatricality have cemented him as one of the most exciting acts of today. On his seventh studio album, The Lunar Injection Kool Aid Eclipse Conspiracy, Zombie not only continues his tradition of extravagant presentation, but offers one of his strongest records to date.

Following up five years after his previous record, The Electric Warlock Acid Witch Satanic Orgy Celebration Dispenser, Lunar Injection incorporates a strong balance between metal adrenaline and rock ‘n roll fun. “The Triumph of King Freak (A Crypt of Preservation and Superstition)” is a stellar example of this. To no surprise, John 5’s guitar work is phenomenal, weaving in an exciting and haunting tone. Ginger Fish and Piggy D are also a powerful force, providing intense drum work and pummeling bass, respectively. Zombie shouts over the instrumentation, adding a layer of sinister appeal. In “The Ballad of Sleazy Rider,” John 5 lays down a wicked rhythm that is further elevated by Piggy D’s bass performance. On “Shadow of the Cemetery Man,” the band amplify the rock ‘n roll vibes. Zombie’s vocal cadence plays wonderfully off the instrumentation, everything coming together to make for a barroom banger. 

In a bizarre shift in tone that works pretty well, “18th Century Cannibals, Excitable Morlocks and a One-Way Ticket on the Ghost Train,” the band let loose a honky-tonk composition with bouts of blasting instrumentation. Lyrically speaking, Zombie keeps to his approach of tongue in cheek goofiness and horror. Even if some passages may be a bit abstract, he has such a catchy quality to his singing and word choice. Like his hook in “The Satanic Rites of Blacula” where he goes, “And the rats come on home to pick your bones/ This ain’t the same old monster/ Scream, Blacula, scream/ Blacula, scream, Blacula, scream,”- it’s just so damn exhilarating. 

At 17 tracks long, one may assume some burn out would occur – but there really isn’t. Besides each song being engaging and adrenaline pumping, the record includes several interlude cuts that act as breathers between songs. These themselves are fun to listen to. There is such a playfulness and great energy to this record, that even for as long as it is, some listeners may find themselves ready to replay it in full once it concludes.

Rob Zombie and crew have composed one hell of a listening experience with The Lunar Injection Kool Aid Eclipse Conspiracy. While the record may already draw in Zombie’s diehard fans, Lunar Injection is also an all-around stellar rock/metal record. Is Zombie or the band reinventing their style or pulling off anything all that new? No. But they have made one of the strongest records in their career thus far. The Lunar Injection Kool Aid Eclipse Conspiracy is an absolute blast and a wicked ride not to miss out on.