The last few Danzig releases have been, for lack of a better (or actual) word: meh. They've sounded less like the demonic blues-rock we've come to love and more like industrial metal à la Rob Zombie/Marilyn Manson. Nothing against those dudes, but that's not what I (or likely anyone else) wants to hear when they listen to a Danzig record.

None of that really matters, though, because Deth Red Sabaoth is a triumphant return to form. One listen to the chorus of "Hammer of the Gods" with all of its backing "whoa-oh"s will put a smile on any old-school Danzig fan's face. This is without a doubt his best work since 1994's Danzig IV, and one of the biggest surprises of the year. It's worth noting that it's also his highest charting album since then (debuting at #35), so people are taking notice.

Mr. Glenn Danzig himself handled most of the bass work on the album, and the band is rounded out by Type O Negative drummer Johnny Kelly and Prong guitarist Tommy Victor. The band is solid throughout, with the only negative being that Victor can tend to go a little overboard on the pinch harmonics. It works at times, such as on "The Revengeful," but in "Black Candy" it's distracting and almost feels like you're listening to a Zakk Wylde song.

That aside, if you haven't yet, do yourself a favor and pick up Deth Red Sabaoth. Before this record, there were four Danzig solo albums worth owning; now there's five.