Marilyn Manson Holly Wood (In the Shadow of the Vally) (2000) Genre: Alternative Metal, Industrial Metal, Heavy Metal

Marilyn Manson

Holly Wood (In the Shadow of the Vally) (2000)

Genre: Alternative Metal, Industrial Metal, Heavy Metal

This album is probably Manson’s magnum opus; it fuses and capitalizes on the best aspects from Anti-Christ and Mechanical Animals, and was able to filter out some of the short comings of those two albums. It’s the first Manson the I’ve ever got my hands on, I remember not being very impressed the first time I listened to it, but I’ve learned to really appreciate this production over time.  

Vocals and Lyrics: Beyond the shock aspect of the lyrics that get in the way at moments, the album has a strong political message. 9

Instrumentation:

Guitar: Its John 5 first album with Manson, he brings a heavier guitar attack to the band.

Bass: Twiggy does a good job.

Drums: Mr. Fish has some awesome drums.

Keys: Gacy’s sound selection for his Synths is great as usual giving cohesion to the album.  7.25

Melody and/or Structure: The songs structure depend more on heavy Riffs but melody isn’t forgotten 9

Sound, Production and Feeling: The production goes back to a more glichy and a Nine Inch Nails’ish sound, where Manson sounds the best. It’s one of his heaviest albums. 10

Songs: It’s hard to make a 19 track album and keep it interesting from start to finish, and Manson nails it. 15

The Bad:

                                                                                                     

Originality: This is Manson’s best album, Nuff Said.  10

Overall: 60.25

Marilyn Manson Mechanical Animals (1998) Genre: Alternative Metal, Alternative Rock, Glam Rock

Marilyn Manson

Mechanical Animals (1998)

Genre: Alternative Metal, Alternative Rock, Glam Rock

Man, Manson has some major balls coming out with an album about a transgender alien that becomes a rock star. I remember the up roar when this album can out, if this guy was parent’s worst nightmare with anti-Christ, this production visually left them in total shock.

Vocals and Lyrics: Lyrically this album is pretty good, throughout this album we have bizarre story of this alien called Omega, and Manson does make some interesting social criticism with this analogy, it’s too bad that his need to shock you does sometimes get in the way of the real message.  9

Instrumentation:

Guitar: To my surprise John 5 does not play guitar on this album, y he joins them when they start the tour, Zim Zum does the honors. The guitar composition on this album is fantastic; some of them are great to learn how to play. And Dave Navarro ( Jane’s Addiction/ Red Hot Chili Peppers) is a Guest on “I Don’t like the Drugs…”

Bass: Twiggy does what’s needed for these songs.

Drums: Ginger Fish`s drumming is as always interesting.

Key: M W Gacy’s sound selections for his synths are spot on; he helps define this album sound. 7.25

Melody and/or Structure: The song composition on the album the highest Manson will ever get. 10

Sound, Production and Feeling: It’s almost a complete 180 compared to Manson’s previous albums,  nice clean sound with a strong 70’s glam influence and I must say that I can hear some 80’s pop in there too, but the feeling of decadence is very well executed. 9

Songs:  Manson takes some major risks and each song is packed with surprises, it’s a rewarding listen. 13

The Bad:

                                                                                                     

Originality: This album really rises the bar in quality for Manson, and it’s too bad it’s not a standard for later  albums. 10

Overall: 58.25

Marilyn Manson Antichrist Superstar (1996) Genre: Industrial Metal, Alternative Metal, Heavy Metal

Marilyn Manson

Antichrist Superstar (1996)

Genre: Industrial Metal, Alternative Metal, Heavy Metal

Man I remember when this album can out, all the uproar around this guy. The parents of my class mates at my school, where freaking when they found out that one of the students in my class had brought the CD to school. Everyone was talking about that this album was Satanic, and there where kinds rumors circling around the figure of Manson (he probably started most of them to boost his carrier). I remember there was rumor that he was going to kill himself in a live show in Santiago Chile, and bunch of numb nuts got ticks to the show just to see him do it, that’s a great marketing campaign.

This album is really good and pretty intriguing as a concept album, but it has a lot of Nine Inch Nails input.  

Vocals and Lyrics: Manson’s lyrics are as every bit intriguing, shocking and just a little too politically incorrect. But as a concept album it’s an interesting concept that Manson is trying to get across. 9

Instrumentation: The band serves the needs of the album and the story, the instrumentation is pretty good especial the drums. But the keys and loops real set the tone to the album. Another thing that almost every member of Nine Inch Nails plays on the album: Trent Reznor, Chris Vrenna, Robin Finck and Danny Lohner.      7.5

Melody and/or Structure: Mood and concept hijack the album.7

Sound, Production and Feeling: Trent Reznor presence looms large in this album you can hear tons of Nine Inch Nails details in the sound and in the production F/X. 10

Songs: It’s a long album but every song is masterpiece. 15

The Bad:

                                                                                                     

Originality: Even though NIN makes their mark on this album, you can hear many of the trade mark things that will establish the course of Marilyn Manson for at least the next three albums. 10

Overall: 58.5

Marilyn Manson Born Villain (2012) Genre: Alternative Metal, Alternative Rock, Industrial Rock

Marilyn Manson

Born Villain (2012)

Genre: Alternative Metal, Alternative Rock, Industrial Rock

It`s like Déjà vu, this production is just like in Manson’s last album you have 5 really good tracks and bunch of fillers. Manson has his own personal “Load” and “Reload”, with this album being marginally better than “The High End Low”.

Vocals and Lyrics: Lyrically just like the previous album there are just a bunch of recycled ideas and Manson doesn’t bring anything new vocally. 6

Instrumentation: Twiggy and Vrenna do a good job, but honestly Manson should let there be more room for instrumentation he dominates to much in each song. 6.5                

Melody and/or Structure: The songs on this album are too predictable. 6

Sound, Production and Feeling: It sounds good, but the only thing that can save Manson at this moment of his career is to have a heavy handed production to fill in the gaps of the lack of ideas. 8

Songs: Manson should have put out an EP instead of a full album, if you don’t have the material to make a complete album. 6

The Bad: There is some pretty mediocre stuff on this album. -3

                                                                                                     

Originality: Album sounds a little bit more focused and the heaviness is welcomed.   6.5

Overall: 36