La Sexorcisto: Devil Music Vol.1

Perhaps co-defining the future of heavy metal, White Zombies major-label debut nearly equals fellow classics Guns N Roses Appetite for Destruction, the Cults Electric, and Soundgardens Badmotorfinger in significance. With a funky rap-metal undercurrent, these metal monsters combine Black Sabbaths riff sludge and Metallicas rhythmic intensity, a combination that would again resurface in the late 90s. On La Sexorcisto: Devil Music, Vol. 1, Zombie and co. take listeners on a hokey carnival ride capable of inducing vomit yet provide an exhilarating, heart-throbbing metal experience. Tactless and continuously shocking, lyricist Rob Zombie reveals blatant tales of muscle cars, sleazy encounters, and Fangoria-mustered fantasy, clearly paying homage to vintage trash culture. Complemented by Russ Meyer film soundbites and demonic aura, Zombie ridicules middle American Leave It to Beaver values and insolently challenges the politically correct. Diabolical manifestos such as the barbaric "Soul-Crusher," macabre "Spiderbaby (Yeah-Yeah-Yeah)," and sexually indiscreet "Thrust!" will intrigue those yearning for lewd explicitness but may offend traditional hard rock enthusiasts. "Thunder Kiss 65," an ode to Russ Meyers 1965 B-movies Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! and Mudhoney, remains this albums most listenable and enduring highlight. Along with perverted lyrics, Rob Zombies vocal snarls and the bands muscular metal thunder produce the furious concoction that secures La Sexorcisto: Devil Music, Vol. 1s place in heavy metal history. Weak appetites for raunchy, tongue-in-cheek decadence need not apply. ~ Jacob N. Lunders