Named after the 1932 Bela Lugosi film, White Zombie's musical style was sample-heavy, based around groovy riffs and Rob Zombie's snarling vocals. The samples that filled their records were mostly from obscure horror films, but used creatively to create a kind of carnival freak-show vibe.
Rob Zombie, still known at this time as Rob Cummings, supported himself through multiple jobs, including working as a cycle courier. Most famously, he was a production assistant on Pee-Wee's Playhouse, but he also worked as a designer on pornographic magazines. At this time, he became involved with Shauna Reynolds, another up-and-coming designer. Together they shared a love of classic horror and sci-fi, heavy music, and the weirder corners of American underground culture. They decided to form a band that would draw upon all these influences and White Zombie was formed. Rob took vocals and the name Rob Straker (later changed to Rob Zombie), while Reynolds became the bassist and assumed the name of Sean Yseult. They became the only constants in the often-fluctuating band line-up.
White Zombie best showed their signature style on their final two studio albums. La Sexorcisto: Devil Music, Vol. 1 and Astro-Creep: 2000 Songs of Love, Destruction and Other Synthetic Delusions of the Electric Head were impressive displays of their sample/riff style, thanks to higher production values.
In 1998, Rob Zombie founded his own label, Zombie-A-Go-Go, signing surf and horror acts like The Bomboras and The Ghastly Ones, as well as compiling the mix album Halloween Hootenany. He was managing the new band of his brother Michael, now known as Spider One, the punk-tinged Powerman 5000, but also looked to his own solo career.
After huge opening week sales of his first solo album, Hellbilly Deluxe that dwarfed those of any White Zombie release, it was announced that the band had split up. Bassist Sean Yseult left to form female horror-rockers Famous Monsters and, later, Rock City Morgue. Rob Zombie went on to continued success with his solo music project, and new acclaim as a successful film director.
God Of Thunder
White Zombie Lyrics
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You've got something I need
Daughter of Aphrodite
Hear my words and take heed
I was born on Olympus
To my father a son
I was raised by the demons
God of thunder and rock and roll
The spell you're under
Will slowly rob you of your virgin soul
I'm the lord of the wastelands
A modern day man of steel
I gather darkness to please me
And I command you to kneel
Before the
God of thunder and rock and roll
The spell you're under
Will slowly rob you of your virgin soul
I am the lord of the wastelands
A modern day man of steel
I gather darkness to please me
And I command thee to kneel
Before the
God of thunder and rock and roll
The spell you're under
Will slowly rob you of your virgin soul
The lyrics to White Zombie's "God of Thunder" speak to the powerful and seductive nature of rock and roll. The song opens with a description of a mysterious woman, the "daughter of Aphrodite," who possesses something that the singer needs. The chorus reveals that the singer is in fact the god of thunder and rock and roll, with a spell that will "slowly rob you of your virgin soul." He commands the listener to kneel before him, asserting his dominance as the "lord of the wastelands" and a "modern day man of steel."
On one level, the song can be read as a celebration of the electrifying power of rock and roll, with its ability to captivate and enthrall audiences. However, the lyrics also hint at darker themes, such as the idea of selling one's soul to achieve success and the corrupting influence that fame and power can have. The references to Greek mythology add an additional layer of meaning, suggesting that the singer's power and charisma are godlike in nature.
As a musical composition, "God of Thunder" is a prime example of White Zombie's heavy, industrial-influenced sound. The pounding drums and distorted guitar riffs create a sense of urgency and intensity that complements the lyrics' themes of power and domination.
Line by Line Meaning
You've got something about you
There is something peculiar about you
You've got something I need
There is something that you possess which I require
Daughter of Aphrodite
Referring to a woman with qualities of Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty in Greek mythology
Hear my words and take heed
Listen to my words and pay attention
I was born on Olympus
Claims to be born in the realm of the gods, Olympus
To my father a son
Son of a god
I was raised by the demons
Raised among evil spirits
Trained to reign as the one
Taught to be a leader
God of thunder and rock and roll
Refers to himself as the god of thunder and rock and roll
The spell you're under
Implies that the listener is under his spell
Will slowly rob you of your virgin soul
This spell has the potential to corrupt the pure essence of the listener
I'm the lord of the wastelands
Claiming to be the ruler of dismal and uncultivated areas
A modern day man of steel
A metaphorical reference to being invincible and unyielding, much like Superman
I gather darkness to please me
Indicates that he collects evil and darkness around himself to satisfy his desires
And I command you to kneel
Demanding subservience from the listener
Before the God of thunder and rock and roll
Reinforcing his self-proclaimed deity status
The spell you're under
Repeats the idea of being under his spell
Will slowly rob you of your virgin soul
Continues with the idea of potential corruption
I am the lord of the wastelands
Restates his sovereign claim over the barren areas
A modern day man of steel
Reiterating his indestructibility
I gather darkness to please me
Reemphasizing his attraction to malevolent forces
And I command thee to kneel
A more archaic way of demanding submission from the listener
Before the God of thunder and rock and roll
A final repetition of his divine status
The spell you're under
One last reference to being under his spell
Will slowly rob you of your virgin soul
A final warning about the risks of submission to him
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PAUL STANLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind