If you don’t think of John 5 (Rob Zombie/Marilyn Manson) when you think of some of the best guitarists alive today, then I have to say you need to rethink your list.
John 5 & the Creatures are a group I always make sure I leave the house for. How he gets a telecaster to do what it does is beyond me. The stage show is always amazing to the eye, and John and the Creatures are always interactive with the crowd and so full of energy that the show goes by almost in a blink and blur.
At the end of 2021, John released his newest album Sinner, lucky number 13 in his solo works. The album from the minute it starts to the minute it ends is speckled with heavy riffs underneath melodic lines and sweeps that, unless you see it with your own eyes, you wouldn’t think were possible for a human (and not a computer) to accomplish.
Sinner is basically an instrumental, although it does feature guest “vocals”, which are just additions and not full on sung melodies by Carla Harvey of Butcher Babies, Dave Mustaine of Megadeth, and the original Catman of KISS, Peter Criss.
Each time I’ve seen the band live, aside from the Medley they perform, the one song I always look forward to is “This Is My Rifle” off of 2014’s Careful With That Axe, but I can say with all honesty that even if it’s not on the setlist for this tour, “Creepshow” off of Sinner is one I’ll take in it’s place.
I highly suggest you give the man a listen, and if you’re still not sure about adding him to your “best of guitar” list, then come out to Count’s Vamp’d on April 23rd and see it for yourself. If you don’t walk out of the venue with your jaw on the floor, or the urge to cut your own fingers off, then I don’t know what to tell you.
I’ll likely be doing both.
For information on tickets, VIP, and Meet & Greet packages, check out John 5’s Official Website.
Check out our previous coverage of John 5 below!
John 5 & the Creatures at Vamp’d 2015
Rob Zombie Return of the Dreads Tour 2016
John 5 & the Creatures at Vamp’d 2018
Listen to Sinner on Spotify!
PHOTO CREDIT: Live photo by Courtney Ware for ZRockR Magazine – All Rights Reserved