After 12 years of creating truly unique music under the guiding hand of lead singer/domineering tyrant Billy Corgan, The Pumpkins were a severe loss to a music industry.
But with a new generation pushing for something more edible in their music, it's finally time for the Kings of madness to return and they crash back into the consciousness of heavy rock with such attention grabbing arrogance that no one can deny them centre stage.
Their first new album in seven years marks the re-collaboration of original members - Billy Corgan on vocals and guitar and Jimmy Chamberlain, now married and wonderfully sober, on drums and percussion.
They've been joined by Jeff Schroeder, Ginger Reyes and Lisa Harriton, though if rumour regarding the musical make-up is anything to go by, their names may just be there for posterity.
The Pumpkins certainly used to be hounded by accusations that control fiend Corgan actually performed most of the multi-layered Gothic Rock in order to satiate his perfectionist need for efficiency, whether, seven years on, that's still the case is anyone's guess, and it's also by the by.
'Zeitgeist' is in essence, a masterpiece. It's a return to The Pumpkins' roaring, crashing metal brand of alternative rock but with a more mature, focused and comfortable sense of itself.
Gone is the expressionistic electronica that haunted their last two years, but it's left behind the attractive dark undertone that made The Pumpkins edgier than their contemporaries.
Lyrics are haloed in a positivity that has obviously taken the entire seven year break to re-establish after the bitterness that had entered Corgan's creativity towards the end of the last incarnation, but yet The Pumpkins still manage to make satirical and poignant digs at modern targets, particularly in 'United States' and 'For God and Country.'
The epic arrangements that define The Pumpkins and justify their huge ambition are ever present especially on slow closer 'Pomp and Circumstances'.
But 'Doomsday Clock' is far and away the highlight of the album.
Announcing The Pumpkins' return with roaring guitars and nasal Chicago vocals, the track leads into the rest of the album without letting you recover from the adrenaline rush of realising that The Pumpkins are back and better than ever.
'7 Shades of Black;' 'Tarantula;' 'That's the Way.' - track on track hammers in the energy with spiralling guitar arrangements and anguishing, bruising music backing yearning, inspiring vocals.
'Starz,' achieves what Corgan has always attempted; an incredible densely layered, guitar heavy grand presentation that is the modern day equivalent of 70's Queen.
And 'Neverlost' is quiet, introspective and still brilliant.
When it's virtually impossible to pick a saggy or boring track, it's clear that you've found a rarity – an album that will enter into societies category of 'classic' – and do so with swaggering confidence that is never misplaced.
If The Smashing Pumpkins continue to insist on producing their albums in line with the 'seven-year-itch', it will be worth waiting for if this is the standard they persist in turning out.
This CD is available to buy now at Woolworths