[14] The album's title is named after the 1960 crime drama film The Sinister Urge, directed and written by Ed Wood.

[15] Much like his previous effort, The Sinister Urge features elements of horror film and suspense in both its lyrical content and its music.

It is the final album to include guitarist Mike Riggs and drummer John Tempesta, who had been part of the Rob Zombie band line-up since 1998.

On The Sinister Urge, Zombie worked with numerous writers and producers from his previous album, Hellbilly Deluxe.

"[16] Zombie worked with music legend and Black Sabbath singer Ozzy Osbourne on the song "Iron Head", featured as the fifth track on the album.

"[16] Kerry King of thrash metal band Slayer provides a guitar solo for the song "Dead Girl Superstar".

The cover for the explicit version of the album features a skull and crossbones not found on the clean edition.