Even though he's dealing with a last-minute record-label switch, Rob Zombie didn't show anything but badass showmanship at last night's concert.

Zombie's upcoming album release, "Hellbilly Deluxe 2" (set to be released early 2010 via Roadrunner Records) has the band headlining shows across the globe for the first time since 2007, landing them at Saltair last night.

Captain Clegg and the Night Creatures — the band you'd recognize from Zombie's "Halloween II" — opened the show with a lively psychobilly set, setting the tone for the horror-themed night.

As the venue continued to fill, Danish psychobilly pioneers Nekromantix assembled onstage, soon after exploding into a dark, energetic set that was as heavy as it was boogie-worthy. Frontman Kim Nekroman (who also fronts HorrorPops with wife Patricia Day) howled and screamed into the microphone as he slapped his stand-up, coffin-shaped bass, while the band's female drummer Lux sounded off on the snare and guitarist Franc added twang with a gigantic '50s-style guitar.

The venue could have easily been at capacity when Zombie's crew took the stage. Fans were pressed shoulder-to-shoulder as the lights went out; several big-screens and stage lights soon fading on to permeate the darkness. Rock icons Piggy D., Tommy Clufetos and John 5 took the stage, with Rob Zombie appearing in full dreadlocked, rockstar regalia. He kept banter simple and short, leaving more time for the sonic slaughter that ran till show's end.

Between and during songs, the big-screens showcased clips from "House of 1000 Corpses" and Zombie's new animated film "El Superbeasto," along with horror imagery and lyrics (which had the crowd chanting "Living Dead Girl"and "Rock Motherfucker" in haunting unison). Zombie pumped the air with his fist and jumped and jived around the stage, personifying his passion for showmanship. His vigorous, impeccable vocal delivery and larger-than-life stage presence proved that even though he's launched from the metal world into the mainstream with the "Halloweens," he still puts 100-percent into his live shows.

The same goes for the band members. Piggy D. whipped around his hair and threw his bass around with a vengeance, while Clufetos made dramatic arm movements to punish his drums. John 5 kept the comic relief coming with his signature, rubbernecked headbang and robotic body movements, while dropping jaws with his mind-bending shred.

Even without the cutting-edge production and sexed-up horror imagery, the Zombie family would earn four stars for a flawless, memorable performance.

— Amanda Chamberlain
Note: Photos not original to In This Week