The Lords Of Salem

by | Apr 15, 2013 | Reviews

Rob Zombie has written a novel. Fine, it’s little more than the novelization of his upcoming film of the same name, THE LORDS OF SALEM, but there’s a caveat: it’s co-written by B.K.(Brian)Evenson.  That fact alone should give it some literary credibility. The man has penned some of the finest work of the 21st century, including LAST DAYS, THE OPEN CURTAIN, and FUGUE STATE.

Then again, this is Zombie’s show and his story.

To be realistic, to expect a masterpiece is foolishness. One doesn’t enter a Wendy’s for fine steak.  Zombie makes no bones about his intentions: to entertain – clean and simple. Okay, maybe it’s never clean.

For those fans of House of 1,000 Corpses and The Devil’s Rejects, this will thrill you to no end. For those who love pulpy horror fiction, the same might apply.

This is a quick fun read. Evenson makes sure of that

The story hails back to the Salem Witch Trials, circa 1692 where a coven of witches is brutally murdered after Reverend Hawthorne witnesses an evil entity escaping with a newborn baby.

In present time, Hawthorne’s descendent is a radio jockey with demons of the organic kind.  When she finds a strange box from “The Lords Of Salem,” a new band, she reckons it’s nothing but a cool promotional piece.  When she plays the record (yes, record), strange events begin to happen and yes, people begin dying all over the place. Heide Hawthorne becomes the unwitting heroine of the novel as she strives to decipher to unravel the mystery of the band before too many people die.

The movie will be released soon after the book, thus giving fans sufficient time to devour both paper and celluloid forms.

Again, Zombie’s story will not win over new fans but for those who love his music and cinematic vision, THE LORDS OF SALEM will not disappoint. For those who enjoy Evenson’s work, his new novel will be released in April. Pick it up.

Overall, a cool product that warrants a good look.

About Dave Simms