Rob Zombie: I kinda miss Charles Manson being around

(Image credit: David A. Smith - Getty)

Rob Zombie is the guest editor of the brand new issue of Metal Hammer magazine.

Not only is he the cover star, but Zombie has also given an exclusive interview with the mag where he chats about his love of horror and his future plans, which includes his new film 3 From Hell and his next studio album. 

Last year, Zombie narrated the documentary Charles Manson: The Final Words – a film all about the murderous cult leader who was behind a string of brutal killings in California in the late 60s. 

And speaking about Manson, Zombie tells Metal Hammer: “As normal as my parents were, they never censored anything. My mom had Helter Skelter – the book on the Manson killings – and I remember looking at the pictures and just being fascinated by it.

“I was four when it happened and I’d see it and find it fascinating.”

Asked whether he mourned Manson’s death, Zombie replies: “No, of course not. But he was infinitely entertaining. I kind of miss him being around.

“Should he have been in prison? Of course. But nobody can deny he was entertaining. It’s kind of a bummer that there’s no more entertainment coming from that guy.”

Zombie recently reported he had completed work on his new studio album – the as-yet-untitled follow-up to 2016’s The Electric Warlock Acid Witch Satanic Orgy Celebration Dispenser, but he’s planning on getting his new movie 3 From Hell out before focusing on the record.

The full interview can be found in new issue of Metal Hammer, which is in shops right now and is also crammed full of other gruesome Halloween treats. 

Metallica axeman Kirk Hammett gives us his guide to the essential horror movies you have to see this Halloween, while Cradle Of Filth frontman Dani Filth interviews Doug "Pinhead" Bradley. 

Wednesday 13 talks to Jason Voorhies, while Synthwave sensation Perturbator interviews the Master Of Horror himself, Mr John Carpenter. 

Extra scares are provided by Alice Cooper, Ghost, New Years Day, Ice Nine Kills, Goblin, Bloodbath, and Emma Ruth Rundle.

Get your copy right now!

Rob Zombie on the cover of Metal Hammer

Scott Munro
Louder e-commerce editor

Scott has spent more than 30 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in the summer of 2014 before moving to the e-commerce team in 2020. Scott maintains Louder’s buyer’s guides, scouts out the best deals for music fans and reviews headphones, speakers, books and more. He's written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog and has previous written for publications including IGN, the Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from daily news and weekly features, to video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.