Smashing Pumpkins - "Beguiled" or Bust?

Smashing Pumpkins have returned to the airwaves with a brand new single, "Beguiled," off their upcoming 33-song, 3-part rock opera, ATUM (pronounced Autumn). The triple album will be a sequel to 1995’s Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness and 2000’s Machina/The Machine of God.

So are we beguiled?

I initially heard this track in Corgan's hometown of Chicago, IL, on the local radio station Q101.

The intro has this classic heavy metal chugging to it. It serves as the main melody of the track.

The rest of the track is laced with Whammy pedals, female backing, and a "Return The Faith" chant.

On first impression, I think it's a heavier track for the Smashing Pumpkins. I immediately got a Marilyn Manson/Rammstein vibe off of it, from the arrangement of the guitar and bass playing. Corgan's vocal delivery with the eerie vibes contributed to that too. But this still had a very distinct and familiar vibe.

Artists have been singing about society, the devil, and everything related for decades. But the song, married with the highly theatrical video, it tapped at me. It reminded me of something.

And then it hit me, this song reminds me of Ghost. Bold guitar line. Singing about the devil and wearing over-the-top, outlandish costumes for representation. Yes, Yes, this all started to make sense to me. There was a reason for the magnetisum, at least for me.

Beguiled is a strong, first official single off of Smashing Pumpkins' upcoming effort. I dig it, I think it stands out from the rest of their discography, but do I think this is the most innovative project to date? I don't know. I think it's too early to talk about the project in it's entirety. But I think this is a radio-friendly hit that will undoubtedly put Corgan back on the rock charts after a bit of a hiatus. We will have to revisit this project as more tracks come to us.

Smashing Pumpkins are embarking on an arena tour through the US as of this Sunday, October 2nd, in Dallas, TX

Lexx Rating: 7.5/10

Check out the video: https://youtu.be/KqZZ-FeZPJ0

Check out tour dates: https://smashingpumpkins.com/tour/