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.
Soul-Crusher
White Zombie Lyrics
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Come on "Burn in!" X 2 demon got my soul and I said "Drive!" come on
Speed kills, but I'm alive yeah!
In my Durango 95 yeah!
Casino on the edge she move like a twister gravity crank
Solo my sista, come on
She said "Take me away" away away shout!
I'm deadly on the eyes an astro-spyder, baby
Angel trumpets again yeah!
Motherfucker scream "Horrorshow"
Time a diamond ass right on my line come on
She said "Take me away" away away yeah!
Burning like fat in the fire the smell of red
Red groovie screamed mega-flow
A stalking ground without prey
A flash of superstition whimpering like a crippled animal
Dogs of the soul-crusher
Pulling closer like the blue steel jaws of hell
Digg'n in my heart I find a human generator
Duke of N.Y. see yeah! Eliminator all you need is love
Yeah! like a cool and crazy freak machineShe twanged off and out like I never seen
I gonna take her down, down, down watch out! Shack'n out in my skin
Flesh 'n' waves they begin
I going out like a holiday (shout it!)Then my mind generate a weepy young "D" to terminate
Takin' a trip I said, "Straight to hell" (shout it!)
Real country dark the street
Hog the road, swamp the beat
She gonna know just what I mean, yeah!Trip back on the serpent move z-man slowly bang the groove
Takin' a trip, "A real kick" to hell (shout it!)
Think'n that when she die, spirit go up to the sky
Devil come a stepp'n, brainiac a look'n below
Yeah! (shout it!)
The lyrics of "Soul-Crusher" by White Zombie describe a wild ride full of danger and excitement. The singer Leatherneck is speeding down the street in his Durango 95 like a "bad dog", enjoying the thrill of the ride. He is possessed by a demon that urges him to continue driving despite the risks. The lyrics are full of imagery that enhances the sense of danger and excitement, such as the Casino on the edge that moves like a twister and the flash of superstition whimpering like a crippled animal.
The chorus of the song features the repetition of the phrase "Take me away" which can be interpreted as a desire to escape from reality and enter a world of danger and excitement. The singer talks about burning like fat in the fire and enjoying the smell of red. He refers to himself as an astro-spider and a powertrippin' freak machine, suggesting that he sees himself as a force to be reckoned with.
Overall, the lyrics of "Soul-Crusher" paint a vivid picture of a thrill-seeker who enjoys living life on the edge. The imagery and language used in the song are meant to evoke a feeling of wild abandon and freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
Leatherneck'n down the street like "Hey I'm joyrid'n" like a bad dog
Walking down the street with a tough attitude, feeling rebellious and dangerous.
Come on "Burn in!" X 2 demon got my soul and I said "Drive!" come on
Being influenced by a demonic presence, feeling a need for speed and danger.
Speed kills, but I'm alive yeah!
Knowing that excessive speed can be dangerous, but feeling alive and invigorated by it anyway.
In my Durango 95 yeah!
Driving a powerful, fast car.
Casino on the edge she move like a twister gravity crank
Watching a woman dance erotically, feeling an intense attraction and excitement.
Solo my sista, come on
Encouraging a woman to dance alone and show off her moves.
She said "Take me away" away away shout!
Feeling a mutual attraction with a woman who wants to escape her present situation.
I'm deadly on the eyes an astro-spyder, baby
Feeling confident and attractive, like a sports car.
A powertripp'n, no - no - no - maybe, come on
Feeling in control and powerful, but also questioning whether it's really what's best.
Angel trumpets again yeah!
Feeling a sense of spiritual transcendence and ecstasy.
Motherfucker scream "Horrorshow"
Feeling overwhelmed by the intensity of the experience, using profanity to express it.
Time a diamond ass right on my line come on
Feeling like time is precious and valuable, needing to seize the moment.
She said "Take me away" away away yeah!
Hearing the woman's repeated desire to escape, feeling a desire to take action and rescue her.
Burning like fat in the fire the smell of red
Feeling an intense sensation, as though on fire, surrounded by the passionate color red.
Red groovie screamed mega-flow
Feeling a sense of musicality and rhythm, expressing it with excitement and energy.
A stalking ground without prey
Feeling like a predator in search of something to pursue, but finding nothing.
A flash of superstition whimpering like a crippled animal
Feeling a sudden sense of fear or unease, like a vulnerable and helpless animal.
Dogs of the soul-crusher
Feeling pursued and trapped, like a hunter being hunted.
Pulling closer like the blue steel jaws of hell
Feeling like there's no escape from the danger and being slowly drawn in anyway.
Digg'n in my heart I find a human generator
Looking inward and finding a source of power, like a human dynamo.
Duke of N.Y. see yeah! Eliminator all you need is love
Feeling a sense of power and confidence, like a champion from New York who can overcome anything with love.
Yeah! like a cool and crazy freak machine
Feeling like a unique and powerful being, like a machine that's both cool and crazy.
She twanged off and out like I never seen
Watching the woman dance with incredible skill and grace, feeling amazed and impressed.
I gonna take her down, down, down watch out! Shack'n out in my skin
Feeling a strong desire to win over the woman and take her home, feeling restless and agitated in one's own skin.
Flesh 'n' waves they begin
Feeling a physical and emotional response to the woman's body and movements.
I going out like a holiday (shout it!)
Feeling like one is going out in a blaze of glory, celebrating with enthusiasm.
Then my mind generate a weepy young "D" to terminate
Feeling a sense of regret or sadness, as though a part of oneself is about to die.
Takin' a trip I said, "Straight to hell" (shout it!)
Feeling a reckless desire to go all the way, even if it means risking everything and heading toward disaster.
Real country dark the street
Feeling like a stranger in a strange land, surrounded by the unfamiliar and unsettling.
Hog the road, swamp the beat
Making one's presence known and taking control of the situation, making everything revolve around oneself.
She gonna know just what I mean, yeah!
Feeling certain that the woman will understand and respond to one's desires and intentions.
Trip back on the serpent move z-man slowly bang the groove
Feeling like taking another wild and dangerous trip, this time with a sense of slowness and deliberation.
Takin' a trip, "A real kick" to hell (shout it!)
Feeling a thrill and a high from the danger and the excitement, going all in regardless of the consequences.
Think'n that when she die, spirit go up to the sky
Reflecting on mortality and spirituality, hoping for a positive afterlife for oneself and the woman.
Devil come a stepp'n, brainiac a look'n below
Feeling like the devil or a devilish presence is close at hand, feeling like someone or something is watching and waiting from below.
Yeah! (shout it!)
Expressing excitement, enthusiasm, and confidence.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: IVAN PETER DE PRUME, JAY NOEL YUENGER, ROB ZOMBIE, ROB WOLFGANG ZOMBIE, SHAUNA YSEULT REYNOLDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind