Rob Zombie Reflects On White Zombie’s Final Days And ‘Astro-Creep: 2000’: “It Was A Good One To End On”

Industrial metal mainstay Rob Zombie recently looked back on the demise of his former band White Zombie, which dissolved in 1998 amid internal tensions and fractured relationships.

While Zombie revisited material from the band’s landmark 1995 album ‘Astro-Creep: 2000’ during a special anniversary performance at Louder Than Life last year, he did so backed by his current solo lineup — not a reunited White Zombie. Over the years, hopes for a full-scale reunion have persisted among fans, but Zombie has consistently made it clear that he has no interest in reviving the group.

Speaking to Revolver about performing the album three decades after its release, Zombie admitted revisiting that era wasn’t without its challenges.

“It was a bit of a challenge. Thirty years is a long time, so it’s sort of hard to remember where my head was at when I was making that record. It was not exactly the greatest of times [for White Zombie]. I knew as we were making that record that it would most likely be the last one since the band was falling apart, but obviously, I wanted to stick it out… I’m definitely proud of the record. It was a good one to end on.”

Despite the turmoil surrounding its creation, Astro-Creep: 2000 went on to achieve multi-platinum status and remains a defining release in ’90s industrial metal.

Following White Zombie’s split, Zombie launched his solo career with 1998’s ‘Hellbilly Deluxe’, assembling a new lineup with a deliberate focus on chemistry and stability.

“After White Zombie disbanded and I had to create another band, I really wanted to be very exacting with the people that I chose to work with again. I couldn’t deal with any more conflicts. Everything worked out perfect, both of these guys [guitarist/vocalist Mike Riggs & bassist/vocalist Blasko] contributed greatly to the ‘Hellbilly Deluxe’ tours being the absolute best time I ever had in my life being on the road.”

Zombie reiterated that he has firmly closed that chapter of his career.

“That was a very long time ago and I’ve moved on from it to do other things.”

Now 61, the musician and filmmaker also addressed how he’ll know when it’s time to step away from touring.

“I think all the time about what it would take for me to step away from the stage — the main thing would be if I didn’t think we were capable of delivering the show at the level it should be delivered. Once I feel that the excitement and the energy and the drive is gone, I will just walk away. I take the show very seriously and I want it to be great, simple as that. And if I feel that it’s not great anymore, then I’ll be done.”

Meanwhile, Zombie’s eighth studio album, ‘The Great Satan’, arrives February 27.

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