IN REVIEW: Marilyn Manson - "WE ARE CHAOS"

 

When you think about Marilyn Manson albums, "grower" may actually be the last thing you think about, especially if your interest waned around the turn of the century like it did for so many; if you haven't paid attention, your lasting impression of Marilyn Manson is likely of a band intent on shock and disruption, incessantly seeking controversy and attention no matter the offence or the cost to their fan base. Indeed, as their career stretched further and further away from their commercial peak (1996's incendiary breakthrough Antichrist Superstar), there were less and less reasons to care about the increasingly forced attempts to provoke. Combine a more indifferent audience with a less engaged artist and you've got the recipe for rock bottom, which one could argue found Marilyn Manson around a decade ago.

Faced with the impending closing of the curtains, the decision was made to steer into more mature and musically diverse waters, and 2015's The Pale Emperor effectively saved Marilyn Manson from eternal obscurity. That album ushered in a new phase for the band, wherein they need not be depended on to upset parents or stir up controversy in order to achieve relevance; and, even though they couldn't help but scratch that old itch occasionally, a new Marilyn Manson album in 2020 is intriguing based on musical interests rather than superficial shock value.

WE ARE CHAOS (stylized in all caps, truly this record's biggest offence) plays out as a subtle record with occasional eruptions, especially on its back half; certainly not the kind of loud, bombastic project one might have expected but rather a nuanced and atmospheric album that offers rewards on repeat listens and is effective far beyond its more immediate moments. Credit goes in part to outlaw country legend Shooter Jennings, who guides Manson through a host of sonic backdrops and helps to keep things interesting throughout.

Anyone clamoring for Antichrist Superstar II should probably just listen to Holy Wood again, as WE ARE CHAOS can be more accurately compared to 1998's Mechanical Animals, with its thicker grooves and expansive sound palette. That said, it is most definitely in step with Manson's recent evolution and not a careless reboot of past glories, rather a further exploration of uncharted territory for a band that once looked determined to follow the path of diminishing returns straight off a cliff.

September 11, 2020 • Loma Vista

Highlights DON'T CHASE THE DEAD • INFINITE DARKNESS • BROKEN NEEDLE