In the nineties Marilyn Manson redefined the term ‘shock rock’; in the name of art and to make a point. Extreme in his theatrics, Manson became shock rock; as a god-like personification of ‘the anti’ he moulded himself into a character of mythic proportion, and fact and fiction served to deify the allegory. A symbol of chaos enforced by theatre extreme, Manson elicited the attention he set out to achieve. Adulation and abuse set the stage for the deliverance of an almighty message, which erupted with arguable genius.
There is a philosophy that says that best way to get people to realise their metaphorical blindness is to shock them into recognition. In the name of art Manson transformed himself into the “god of fuck”; the antithesis of society’s defined morality. Infamously, he wiped his ass on the American flag, tore pages out of the Bible, facilitated some on-stage fellatio et cetera et cetera in an effort to change the way people think and challenge popular doctrine – Christianity in particular. In his 1998 autobiography The Long Hard Road Out of Hell Manson says that the purpose of his life “…is to make Americans realise they don’t have to believe in something just because they’ve been told it all their lives.”
Manson argues that only through human experience can human beings determine their own morality; being human is about leading a guiltless existence as an individual. Manson’s mantra is all about self-belief and self-reliance, and his persona is a rant against hypocrisy, which can only be transcended through acknowledgement.
And ten/twenty years ago, Marilyn Manson had a point. He was relevant. His debasement forced the masses to double check their state of ethics. The irony of the hate brandished by those rioting against Manson merely fueled the flame and imbued him with validity. But that flame has since dwindled… yet onward Manson marches, preaching to the converted. No longer the arch antagonist – the Apocalypse personified, the Anti-Christ bred in Fort Lauderdale, Florida – Manson’s drug-addled person offers a watered-down version of his former self.
But artists evolve, right? It is their entitlement. Art is not static. Yet Manson still raves against fascism on his Nazi-esque platform and tears pages out of the Bible. And there is no reaction. Perhaps Christians have cottoned on to the fact that God is much bigger than an act of hate – no matter the perversity of the action. Perhaps people have accepted Manson’s mantra and are no longer inclined to absorb the bullshit that they’re fed? Or perhaps society has merely weakened in the face of its own depravity? Whatever the case, it’s as if concert goers are attracted to Manson for the man (the idea) that once was; like an old dinosaur bone.
Whilst Marilyn Manson was ravished by the hedonism of his art and intellect, the world changed and Manson lost the plot. It is the ‘myth of Manson’ that propels him forward and keeps him in the consciousnesses of the collective he warred against for a decade. And he seems to be quite okay with that.
Let me just say this, he is evolving for himself. His music, style and overall persona has changed in the past few years. He has toned down on the crazy. I think he realizes that his point has been made and now he must find something else to revolt against.
Times have changed.
Religion has changed.
And the kids who followed him and worshiped him have grown up.
I don’t know what to think of this post. I don’t know if I should agree or argue. My heart will die with Manson. He changed my life for the better.
But, I don’t understand where he is right now.
I guess that’s the mystery.
Hey Jessica, thanks for your comment!
Manson is an amazing artist and has become a pop-culture icon. He personifies defiance and the ideas he has propagated throughout his career are bigger than ‘the man’.
It’s okay to love something/someone in spite of their perceived flaws.
I definitely agree with Jessica. I have been listening to Manson’s music for most of my life despite my families opinions. I recently read his book “The Long Hard Road Out of Hell,” it was really enlightening and pretty much turned my view of the word and myself upside down. I believe every one should read this no matter how much they hate him. He truly is a great mind, definitely helped me through some hard times. Manson is probably one of the most influential role models I have, mostly because he taught me I shouldn’t make myself into someone I’m not and I shouldn’t believe what everyone tells me. Great article by the way. :)
Thanks Erin :) So cool that you read my article! I like Manson’s music, I don’t like his life philosophy but I appreciate his art – it sounds pretty contradictory because the three are entwined but it makes weird sense in my head :)
Andrea,
Manson realized this long before you wrote this article, with his 2003 album (everything has been said before/nothing left to say anymore & rebels without a cause, as examples of lyrics). He knows. And he knew he’d become irrelevant one day, hence “The Dope Show.”
Everything else, I agree with, especially the last paragraph.
Good write-up.
I’m a 28 yr male originally from ND. I discovered Marilyn Manson while lounging in my brothers car alone in a big garage one night because he had good speakers. I remember opening up the album. The smell was quality. Nobody was making foldouts in their discs of that quality. I explored the album like it was a Beatles record spinning in a dreamesque environment.
I liked the music for the music. I never was in some goth type cliche. It was unheard of in my small school. But I remember going to the state fair and to this day that style is really unparalleled in my opinion.
I became interested in him. I got to read a bit of his book. I think he understands something of kids and trauma and being here in this world but everything mismatching.
Except here is where he looses me. The thought provoking is over. And I know he himself holds Gods hand firmly in his private life. It is the urge of every person to walk with God.
I think everyone that grew up with him should just close the book on him. Nowadays he’s changing. He’s not really doing anything and he’s going after younger audiences. Like everyone in business money is his god.
Marilyn Manson is just a track horse. Circles. Round and round. Embarrassing pony.
Riley marred man son should be pitied not emulated. He is a sad and devastated man who lives in bondage, misery, depression and upon him abides Gods wrath. He is a crippled man and should be seen as such. If you folks gave a damn about him youd speak the truth about his condition. I realize that Im expecting the impossible – the blind cant see.
Proverbs 8:36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.
He has great songs I really don’t enjoy his beliefs, he kinda has the wrong idea about religion,I mean yah some of it is ridiculous but things like Christianity its not you believe in religion because you need to know where u r gonna go when u die and to thank that person for y u r here,so what does Marilyn assume that when he dies it’s either hell or nothing. If Marilyn believes there is a hell them he should be live in Christianity because god is the one who created hell.