White Zombie
Make Them Die Slowly

THE REVIEW

New York in the second half of the eighties. A filthy individual roams the nocturnal streets of the "Big Apple."

This Robert Bartleh Cummings, known as Rob Zombie: his look doesn't go unnoticed, an insane hybrid of a zombie, a vagrant, and a low-grade horror movie character. Dirty and endless dreads held together by a grimy top hat (like Slash, to be clear), military boots a few sizes too big. A post-nuclear outfit that perfectly matches the music of the band he puts together.

The White Zombie arrive at their second record release still completely unknown; in total anonymity. But they have an avalanche of ideas and after firing the original guitarist, they recruit John Ricci and release "Make Them Die Slowly" (a most fitting title!!). It's March 1989; produced by a certain Bill Laswell (not just any producer...), the work stands out for its caustic, deep, guttural sound. Sabbath-like with proto-industrial remnants. Hard and Heavy tainted with noisy scraps.

And the shock is guaranteed.

The work, succeeding completely, aims to be the emaciated photograph of a scene just getting started: the raw contamination between post-punk from the U.S. Atlantic coast, noise, and black metal (and let's add Prong and Helmet for consistency and "weight" to my writing delirium). The visionary result exceeds all expectations, even those of the White Zombie themselves. A dramatic and equally devastating sound rendering; an auditory hurricane unfolding across all forty minutes. Minutes played in a primitive manner; a powerful impact with no hint of virtuosity. They just want to cause harm and create havoc; starting from the slums where the album was born.

It's the seven minutes of the concluding "Godslayer" that testify to the madness, the gigantic horror erected by Rob, John, Sean, and Ivan: a dangerously cacophonous crossroads that combines Stooges, Slayer, and Sonic Youth. A hysterical, wan embrace; never heard before...DISASTER BLASTER...

.(..To hell with White Christmas...)

Diabolos Rising 666.