As a big, big skeptic of Rob Zombie‘s talents as a filmmaker, it could only be said that I hope for a surprise with The Lords of Salem. An initial teaser was too quick and, image-wise, not of high enough a quality to make a valued judgement on. (Well, if I’m making valued judgements in the first place.) But our review was just one of several that complimented what Zombie was up to here: a subversive look at the power of horror cinema.

Which remains unclear in this longer trailer, but I have to concede that it’s an entirely effective look into the project. Like with the last time out, I glean the most from how much Zombie appears to have grown as a visual stylist — the shot up above being a specific favorite of my own — so that’s my central point of interest for the time being, but even the plot has some intrigue when said aloud. (No pun intended.) Now, against what feels like better judgement, I may actually want to see what his next picture has in store.

The trailer can be seen below (via Apple):

Synopsis:

From the singular mind of horror maestro Rob Zombie comes a chilling plunge into a nightmare world where evil runs in the blood. The Lords of Salem tells the tale of Heidi (Sheri Moon Zombie), a radio station DJ living in Salem, Massachusetts, who receives a strange wooden box containing a record, a “gift from the Lords.” Heidi listens, and the bizarre sounds within the grooves immediately trigger flashbacks of the town’s violent past. Is Heidi going mad, or are the “Lords of Salem” returning for revenge on modern-day Salem?

Lords of Salem will open on April 19th.

Is Zombie selling you with these initial previews?