Customer Reviews

Make Them Die Slowly

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It is surprising how many of Rob Zombie's and White Zombie's fans do not know this album exists. If they did manage to pick it up however, most would find it too hot to handle. This is far removed from the radio-friendly(-ish) comic book/splatter movie rock Zombie has made his name with. The common first reaction when hearing `Make Them Die Slowly' is "what was that?". So what do we get?

Probably the best way to describe the album is half-paced Thrash. OK, so Thrash is identified with it's speed and aggression. This has aggression by the bucketload. It just lacks the speed. Play it at 78rpm and you'd get something like a dark and gloomy, almost Gothic, Nuclear Assault. The riffing is fairly standard Thrash fare, nothing flashy, but catchy enough. Strangely, the riffs should be memorable, but they slip through your mind very quickly. The solos and drumming are both solid, but unimpressive because of the inability of the band to change out of second gear.

The guitar tone is, well, odd. Imagine Bob Dylan's singing voice as an electric guitar- twangy and nasal, with a hint of a whine. An unusual effect, but as memorable as the riffs are forgettable.

Anyway, enough of the instrumental sideshows, what about the main event? What about Rob Zombie's voice? Luciano Pavarotti he isn't, but like any good singer with limited ability, Zombie knows his limits. He has written the songs to fit his voice, rather than embarrassing himself trying to stretch himself too far. The subject matter of the songs is just what you'd expect from Rob Zombie- B-movie schlock horror. Zombie drawls, moans and snarls his way through such lyrical niceties as "This is murderworld sister/A deep throating little baby-face" and "Justice claws/A death horizon/ Freak-zone flesh/Maggot man rising".

Conspicuous by their absence are the movie samples overused in later White Zombie releases, and a good thing too. The samples were often more interesting than the songs. On this album, the minimalist, stripped back metal is allowed to shine through, uncluttered by obscure cinematic outtakes.

This is definitely not to everyone's taste. The guitar sound and Zombie's voice can be hard to stomach. Get past those obstacles though, and it's a fun time romp through Rocky Horror land. Spookier than The Misfits and more horrific than The Cramps, this would appeal to fans of both those bands.

This album is not for the weekend White Zombie fan. This is raw, visceral, and should only be left to the professionals. It's unpolished, and quite crude, but then this was done before they signed with Geffen, so what can you expect?

If you're coming here, trying to decide if you should buy this album based on the reviews, then you probably won't like it. If you're a hard-core WZ fan, then you probably already have this album, and I'm wasting my breath.

However, I recommend giving it a try, no matter your level of admiration for this great band. It's a love it or hate it album.

It's been about 10 years since I've even listened to it, but as of today, I can officially say it's classic. This is very traditional thrash sounding. Horrible production, but hey, they were on Caroline back in the day and every good thrash band at first had horrible production. A little bit of typical Zombie doom n' gloom as well, although the lyrics weren't quite as vague and they would later become. Fans of early Metallica and "South Of Heaven/Seasons In The Abyss" era Slayer should be able to find something they like in this album. Definitely not the sound of the White Zombie you heard on the radio, but not too far off as well. I'd even go so far as to give this 4/5 stars had the production quality not been so low... but just turn it up! Not to mention the bass and treble as well...

Even though guitar god hadn't shown up yet they had John Ricci on this album and he did some great stuff taht works just as well (he had to leave the band because of carpal tunnel syndrome. weak.). These are some of the best songs White Zombie ever put out but the mixing on this album is pitiful. The bass might as well not have been recorded. You absolutely MUST turn the bass and treble up to make this album even sound normal. And even then it sounds about half as heavy as it should. The guitar is playing these fast chunky pal-muted riffs that if yo went and played them on your own amp in your bedroom would sound ten times heavier. Great album, get hold of a copy if you can or download the songs. If you liked La Sexorcisto you'll love this album, though it might take a couple listens to be honest.

just like with soul crusher etc, just go to best buy and get acid 4.0 software, put cd into drive, copy tracks or paste into acid window, then play, turn speed up couple notches, along with bass n treble, save,then burn to new disc. cd will be awesome. i've done that with others and it worked well too. especially fleetwood mack. but works better with this album best. havnt got my hands on psycho head blowout yet bt it's coming. cant wait. i give it 5 stars but i learned how to tweak it with software.

This cd isnt bad so thats not why I'm laughing BUT I used to have this record a LONG time ago. I bought it at a used cd place for 9.69. I knew it was rare but I had no idea people would be selling it for over 100 dollars! Ha ha! The suckest part of this story is that after I broke up with my girlfriend at the time, I moved out and never saw this cd again. That was 7 years ago. Well more about the record: you can definately hear the beginnings of the great white zombie in the record but Rob's vocals are a little annoying in it and of course, the sound quality isnt the greatest BUT it is an irreplaceable addition to any zombie lovers arsenal. I wont buy it for as much as its going for on here though. No way.

Awesome CD good to hear the real old stuff again great price and fast delivery.

good cd its early zombie not the sound they are known for but it is zombie

a GOOD ALBUM BAD PRODUCTION YES VERY BAD BUT COOL THRASH STUF THEY HAD A COUPLE OF ALBUMS BEFORE THIS TO SOUL CRUSHER PSYCHO HEAD BLOWOUT GODS ON VOODO MOON AND GODS OF THUNDER BUT THERE HARD TO FIND