Brutal Planet (Live)

Zoo Freaks, get ready to crank up the volume as The Zoo Crew spins Brutal Planet (Live) by Alice Cooper from the Brutally Live album, recorded at London's Hammersmith Apollo in July 2000. This track kicks off the show with a gritty, militaristic metal march, showcasing Cooper’s dive into a heavier, industrial sound. According to a 2020 review, the song’s lyrics paint a bleak picture of humanity’s ills, drawing from biblical references like Adam and Eve, blended with Cooper’s signature dark humor. One piece of trivia: the live performance often featured a dramatic stage setup with a half-bodied figure connected to electronics, warning the audience of the “ruler” (Cooper himself) before he stormed the stage. This theatrical flair, as noted in a 2000 IMDb review, made the show a must-see for fans, with props like swords, guillotines, and even Cooper’s daughter, Calico, playing roles like a dominatrix and asylum nurse.

The song’s origins tie back to Cooper’s inspiration from a Denver haunted house called Brutal Planet, which he visited in 1997. As detailed on SickthingsUK, this attraction, run by Distortions Unlimited, featured animatronics like “The Controller,” which later appeared in the Brutal Planet tour’s stage show. Cooper loved the gritty, horror-filled vibe and incorporated it into the album’s apocalyptic theme. In a quote from Alice Cooper eChive, Cooper explained the song’s concept: “I wanted this one to be in the form of a futuristic novel… what this planet is going to turn into.” Social media posts on Cooper’s X account celebrated the album’s 20th anniversary in June 2020, with lyrics like “It’s such a brutal planet, It’s such an ugly world,” resonating with fans who commented on its timeless relevance.

Alice Cooper, born Vincent Damon Furnier in 1948, began his musical journey in Phoenix, Arizona, where he formed a band called The Spiders in high school. According to his bio on alicecooper.com, the group morphed into The Nazz before adopting the name Alice Cooper in 1968, inspired by a Ouija board session that suggested a 17th-century witch. The band’s early days were marked by raw, psychedelic rock, but their big break came with the 1971 album Love It to Death, featuring the hit “I’m Eighteen.” Cooper’s theatrical performances, blending horror and vaudeville, earned him the title “Godfather of Shock Rock.” By the mid-1970s, he went solo, cementing his legacy with albums like Welcome to My Nightmare. His ability to evolve, from glam metal in the 1980s to industrial sounds in Brutal Planet, kept him relevant across decades.

Fans can connect with Cooper through his official social media: Facebook, Instagram, and X. For deeper dives, check out fan-run sites like SickthingsUK, a treasure trove of news and history, or Alice Cooper eChive, which catalogs gigographies and discographies. The Alice Cooper Fans Facebook Group is a vibrant community where Zoo Freaks can join discussions and share their love for Cooper’s work. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the shock rock scene, these platforms keep the spirit of Brutal Planet alive and screaming.