Rob Zombie

As it will be known inside of the Zombie community, Hellbilly Deluxe 2: Noble Jackals, Penny Dreadfuls and the Systematic Dehumanization of Cool is a strange affair. Deemed a "follow-up" to his 1998 solo debut, Hellbilly Deluxe, it's actually his fourth overall and strives to be a companion effort to that predecessor. Therefore, Hellbilly Deluxe 2 feels muddled. Zombie's reaching back over a decade to when he was still somewhat influenced by his former band, embracing the babbling, nonsensical lyrics and chugging grooves that were sorely absent on 2006's Educated Horses. For most of the album it works simply because Zombie does know his way around a catchy, mid-tempo, pop metal groove and can pull a neat vocal line out of his ass quite readily. Overall, it's more style over substance. Hellbilly Deluxe 2 isn't anything new or even an enduring return to form. As is, it will most likely prove to have a hit or two, but that's it. The sheen will wear off and it'll be revealed as just a stepping stone for Zombie to find himself again after being mired in the world of the silver screen.