The White Zombie Sound is Born
From my grandmother, I got a tendency to collect things. Over the years I have collected all kinds of things and as I’ve gotten older forced myself to narrow it down to vinyl and Friday the 13th-related memorabilia. I do still have my t-shirt collection though. I find myself wearing a certain few more than others. See me in public and I might be wearing one of these that features a large full front screaming green cartoon zombie face with the words “White Zombie” around it. Although I am a huge fan of the Bela Lugosi movie, I mean the band. So, Let’s talk about White Zombie La Sexorcisto.
I decided recently to deep dive into the catalog of White Zombie, an amazing hard rock band from the 90s. I skimmed through the first couple of albums and honestly didn’t even think I was listening to White Zombie. When I got to their 4th album, “La Sexorcisto” I had struck gold. Obviously, in the 90s I spent most of my time listening to one or two tracks from these guys because you had to buy entire albums until Napster came around. By then, I had moved on to other things. I was familiar with 2 tracks from this album, “Thunder Kiss ‘65” and “Black Sunshine” but nothing else. As far as I’m concerned, with La Sexorcisto, White Zombie changed gears, and their unique sound was born.
White Zombie and Wu-Tang?
I want to point out that I use the word “album” but, “La Sexorcisto” is an experience more than an album. I listened while driving at work and when “La Sexorcisto” was finished, I had to sit in the lobby for a few minutes to come down from the energy brought in by this 14-track horror movie sample stuffed hard rock experience. As far as sampling goes, I think this is what makes the White Zombie sound. Some films that the band pulled from were Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!, Night of the Living Dead, Dawn of the Dead, Plan 9 from Outer Space, and even High School Confidential. It would be like the Wu-Tang without Chinese Kung Fu movies sampled in the tracks. Can you imagine that? Me either.
Hit Play and Enjoy the Experience
I don’t want to take for granted that my calling this experience leaves out that you should listen to this album all the way through. Hit play on track number one, sit back, and prepare yourself for almost an hour of energy, screaming horror queens, hard guitars, perfect pace changes, and songs that bleed into the next one beautifully. If you don’t hit play and just enjoy the ride, you will miss a lot of the seamless transitions. My favorite is from “Knuckle Duster (Radio 1-A)” into “Thunder Kiss ’65.” A lady screams “Oh my God!” right before that iconic Thunder Kiss riff picks up. Of course, you get Rob Zombie saying “yeah” a lot and screaming as well. I didn’t realize just how much he says “yeah” and does his catchy quick scream until after coming down off the ride that is “La Sexorcisto” either.
Dig White Zombie?
If you dig music in general, hard rock, metal, 90s music, or anything of the sort, you must listen to “La Sexorcisto” by White Zombie. Again, don’t listen to a track here and there but rather hit play and enjoy the ride. Every track on this album is good. I already had “Thunder Kiss ‘65” and “Black Sunshine” on my playlist but, I added “I Am Legend” after my recent listen. This one has a “Sad But True” vibe to it and, of course, Rob Zombie saying “yeah” and screaming. There is no doubt that I will spin this one again. The hunt is on for a copy on vinyl too.
If you want to watch a cool video that talks about this album, particularly the sampling piece, you can do that here. Apparently, they didn’t realize they needed permission to use this stuff. They had to remove some sampled materials including a Vincent Price and Charles Manson quote. I’ve painted this band once and it is now in Pendleton, SC. I intend to do some Rob Zombie art on a unique item soon. Watch my social media and website for this. You can do all of that plus read more blogs here.
What Are Your Thoughts?
What are your thoughts on White Zombie? Who misses this band as much as I do? What do you think is better White Zombie or Rob Zombie? Has anyone seen this group live in a small metal club somewhere that wants to share their experience? I’d love to hear from you in the comment.