Album Details

• Artist: Marilyn Manson
• Album: Antichrist Superstar
• Label: Nothing / Interscope
• Year of Release: 1996
• ME Rating: Indie Classic
• Reviewed by: solitaryman on 2008-10-07

"When you are suffering, know that I have betrayed you."

These words, masked over the intro to "Irresponsible Hate Anthem", became so known to me that I found them popping up in my head for no apparent reason at the most random of times. This tells you how much time I personally spent with Antichrist Superstar, an album that launched a phenomenon onto modern rock with such force that such few artists have been able to muster. Driven heavily by Trent Reznor's established credibility and worthwhile nod of approval, of course, and his sense of musical direction...but to say ACSS is anything but Marilyn Manson's baby is to speak with split tongue. This album goes directly into the vault for a variety of reasons, from conceptual brilliance to pure, unabashed raw white-hot intensity, to widely-felt influence, to it's out-of-nowhere underground credibility. 

There were kids headbanging to "The Beautiful People" in every suburb in every corner of the world, and it didn't take long. While major media took off with Manson's insane visual approach and live theatrics, music fans who dug into the record found something to behold. Within, the band had created a soundscape of some very real apocalypse, tinged with a cold-blooded rage towards any hope or happiness. Nihilism put to record with a truly pissed off individual to convey it's meaning. Lyrically, I still think Manson to be one of the more creative story tellers, deftly throwing the veil off of the rock star cliche on "Mister Superstar" or unfolding layers of his deepest fears and agonies on "Man That You Fear". It was his words more than anything that drew in the legions. It gets vaulted because every track stands out. The creepy sludged electronics of "Cryptorched" that segue into a mournful dirge, urgent with a dire message; "Prick your finger, it is done. The moon has now eclipsed the sun. The angel has spread it's wings. The time has come for bitter things." The anti-anthemic groove of the title track, the fiery inferno churned up on "1996", or the vicious lashing out of "The Reflecting God". Every song offers you something the others can't while all being offerings to enjoy beginning to end. 

Few albums have ever had such an impact on me, and I know this is the case for thousands and thousands. It's a rare thing when any insanely-famous band's fans can mostly agree on one album that's better than the rest, but this is the case with Antichrist Superstar. I cannot imagine a rock fan alive today who hasn't heard it, which almost, almost, makes this review moot. Almost. 

User Reviews and Comments

on 2009-07-02 dscanland Said:

Hmm, I too, like Manson's music. I don't have a lot of respect for the man as a shock-rocker. That doesn't stop me from enjoying his music from time to time. There are a lot of pricks in music. Too many to mention. If you just listened to music based on anything other than the music itself, you'd have very little to choose from. Enjoy the music for the music.
Not Rated

on 2009-07-02 Sinist3r Punk Said:

LOLZ
Thank you so much Kevin. I was hoping to beat you to it, but yours is definitely a more graceful approach to handling this religious nut job.

Rating: 9/10

on 2009-07-02 SolitaryMan Said:

While I am certainly not going to "hate on you" for your opinions, I do find them of the sort that were typically aimed at MM by many religious individuals who found him to be nothing more than a proponent of some satanic message. When you say "Even if I was an atheist, and agreed with you people on mow Marilyn Manson is so good", it sounds to me that you actually believe someone's religious beliefs should be the judge of what music they do and don't like. You can't just use that excuse for Manson because he's always spit in the face of organized religion and the fear tactics used within to create a congregation of sheep. You're so caught up in the mannerisms MM so creatively used to draw attention to himself, it can only be seen as what he wants. Love him or hate him: he's in your head, under your skin and that's always where he wanted to be.

Truthfully, the music is so much more than the silly gimmicks he's used, and most fans realize that. It might come as a shock to you to know that many religious individuals (myself included, although I liken myself as spiritual and not apart of any organized religion) enjoy Marilyn Manson's music. It doesn't make you a sinner and it doesn't make you any less spiritual; it simply means you like some music that is different, interesting and provocative. And not to be offensive, but people like you who spout off and say shit like "BURN IN HELL MARILYN MANSON" have always made me laugh. It's just a ridiculous thing to do.
Rating: 10/10

Review:

on 2009-07-01 evenflown Said:

even if i was an atheist, and agreed with u people on how marilyn manson is so good, i would still fucking hate him, he's a fucking douche bag and he'll burn in hell forever, first of all i am not atheist i am a firm christian an d hate atheists, second of all he dresses up like a woman that looks like a fucking demon, which makes me even madder, then third his lyrics are pointless, and are some of the worst and are vulgar for no reason so anybody that wants to hate on me can, but i HATE marilyn manson and will never for as long as i live buy a manson song, album, or support him, FUCK U MARILYN MANSON U CAN BURN IN HELL FOREVER
Rating: 1/10

on 2008-10-18 kev_stev Said:

this review is very, very well written, Kev. props!

oh, and i've seen this guy live and his theatrics are like no other. awesome performance all around.
Not Rated

on 2008-10-07 dscanland Said:

Hey, do you need some new review material? lol
No seriously, this is indeed a classic although "Indie" may not be correct. I love this album as well. It was one of those albums that made so much more music mainstream.
Not Rated