Rob Zombie released his second solo album “The Sinister Urge”, on November 13, 2001, through Geffen Records. And if you remember the early 2000s, you probably remember hearing some of these songs everywhere.
After “Hellbilly Deluxe”, Rob Zombie returned with another dose of industrial metal, horror movie atmosphere, dirty guitar riffs and those strange sounds that somehow fit perfectly into his music.
But this time, there was a heavier focus on the live band. The guitars hit harder, the drums have plenty of punch and the whole album feels like a wild horror movie that you don’t want to turn off.
The album was produced by Rob Zombie and Scott Humphrey. Its title was borrowed from the 1960 crime drama film “The Sinister Urge”, directed by Ed Wood. Not exactly a surprising choice from Rob!
A Heavy Album With Some Interesting Guests
One thing that makes this record even more interesting is the guest lineup.
Ozzy Osbourne joined Rob on “Iron Head”, while Slayer guitarist Kerry King added his guitar work to “Dead Girl Superstar”. Tommy Lee also contributed additional drums, with DJ Lethal and Mix Master Mike bringing their turntable skills into the mix.
And let’s not forget Sheri Moon Zombie, credited as 666 Girl.
There is plenty happening here, but it never feels like a collection of random guest appearances. It all fits into Rob’s twisted musical world.
The Songs That Deserve Your Attention
There are some seriously good tracks on “The Sinister Urge” and choosing just one favorite isn’t going to be easy.
“Feel So Numb” is one of those songs that immediately gets you moving. Heavy grooves, distorted guitars and that unmistakable Rob Zombie attitude. A proper early-2000s industrial metal favorite.
“Never Gonna Stop (The Red, Red Kroovy)” takes a different direction with its dance inspired rhythm and handclaps. It’s a strange combination, but that’s exactly what makes it work.
Then there is “Scum of the Earth”, a fast and aggressive track that first appeared on the “Mission: Impossible 2” soundtrack before becoming an advance single for the album.
“Demon Speeding” also deserves attention. It became the album primary commercial single and reached the Top 20 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.
If you want something heavier, “Dead Girl Superstar” delivers plenty of speed and attitude, with Kerry King adding an extra dose of Slayer energy.
And how can we leave out “Iron Head”? Having Ozzy Osbourne on guest vocals makes this one especially memorable.
The album also closes with the nearly ten-minute “House of 1000 Corpses”, an atmospheric track that shares its name with Rob Zombie’s feature film debut. There is even a hidden bonus track, “Unholy Three” waiting at the end.
Some Interesting Facts About “The Sinister Urge”
A few more reasons to give this album another spin:
- Platinum record: “The Sinister Urge” achieved RIAA Platinum certification for shipping over one million copies in the United States.
- A sequel to an earlier hit: Rob Zombie described “Dead Girl Superstar” as a musical and conceptual follow-up to “Living Dead Girl” from “Hellbilly Deluxe”.
- A movie connection: “Scum of the Earth” appeared on the “Mission: Impossible 2” soundtrack.
- Last album with John Tempesta: This was the final studio album to feature longtime drummer John Tempesta.
- Fan favorite: In polls on Rob Zombie’s official platform, fans voted “The Sinister Urge” their favorite record in his catalog, even ahead of “Hellbilly Deluxe”.
Which Track Is Your Favorite?
More than two decades later, “The Sinister Urge” still has plenty of attitude. It has heavy riffs, weird dance rhythms, horror movie madness and some pretty memorable collaborations.
Now it’s your turn!
Which song deserves the number one spot? Are you going with “Feel So Numb”, “Never Gonna Stop (The Red, Red Kroovy)”, “Iron Head” or something else?
Vote for your favorite track and let’s see which song wins!
By
By
