For years, guitarist John 5 – formerly of Marilyn Manson's band (rejoining them temporarily for last year's Manson/Zombie “Twins of Evil” tour) and an acclaimed solo artist – has been an integral part of Rob Zombie's sound, having been Rob's official guitarist since 2005's Educated Horses. His talents are so intertwined with Rob's work that he was tapped to compose the original score for his much-anticipated film The Lords of Salem, which hits theaters April 19th. That very same week, you'll hear John's mighty axe swing again on Rob's next full-length studio album, Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor.
John has stated that his first gig as composer was both challenging and rewarding: “It was like 10 times the intensity of writing a record,” he says. “It took months and months, as the timing is key to each scene. The music was very challenging and sometimes there was no key signature or time signature for this music, which is all orchestral and acoustic with the exception of one death metal song. You had to be able to follow the story and create emotions for each scene with the music. I cannot wait for people to see and hear this movie. It is incredible!”
As you've no doubt heard, The Lords of Salem is a project that was percolating in Rob's mind for years, even before he wrote the wicked song of the same name for Educated Horses. For more news on the film itself, check out our recent items here and here, and watch the new trailer at the end of this one.
Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor is not tied to the movie, but sounds like a more experimental and raw exercise than Rob's previous record Hellbilly Deluxe 2. “I can only describe this album as an aggressive, live-sounding and totally unique,” John 5 said. “The guitar tones are not traditional. There is also an instrumental track called 'Theme for the Rat Regeneration Vendor' which is all played aggressively with an electric sitar.” The record is slated to drop on April 23rd, and will kick off with the single “Dead City Radio and the New Gods of Super Town.” Other tracks include the interestingly titled “Ging Gang Gong De Do Gong De Laga Raga,” “Lucifer Rising,” “Behold! The Pretty Filthy Creatures,” and a Zombified cover of Grand Funk Railroad’s “We’re an American Band.”
In related news, John has also been nominated for Revolver magazine's fifth annual “Golden Gods” award for Best Guitarist alongside Rush's Alex Lifeson and Brendon Small of Dethklok. The winners will be announced at the show's live broadcast on May 2nd.