A CD review of MARILYN MANSON's THE GOLDEN AGE OF GROTESQUE.

Marilyn Manson - The Golden Age of Grotesque
Nothing Records 2003

by Wa

The Golden Age of Grotesque, the fifth full length Marilyn Manson release
since signing with Nothing Records in mid 1994 was produced by Tim Skold,
and Marilyn Manson. It marks a classic re-vitalized return of the band to their 1996 peak
form of Antichrist Superstar.

Conceptually The Golden Age of Grotesque is cloaked as an Electro-Metal
reminiscence of the roaring 1920's, America's first counter-cultural
movement of the Twentieth Century. The craftmanship of each song is impecable, exhibiting a Vaudevillian structure in sound with witty interplay of words suggesting and realizing polarities in the subject matter. The chanting chorus of the Roxettes of Radio City Music Hall "Be Obscene, Be, Be, Obscene ... Be Obscene, baby, but not heard." from "mOBSCENE" is a perfect example of a subtle but respectful nod to the writings of Oscar Wilde.

Skold's programming work is spot on and adds a refreshing new spice to the Marilyn Manson recipe. Strong tracks on the album include "This is the New Shit", "mOBSCENE", "Doll-Dagga Buzz-Buzz
Ziggety-Zag", and "Slutgarden".

The Golden Age of Grotesque is at once an anthem album and a Stanley
Kubrick-esque social commentary of sound. A highly recommended metal buy
of the year.

Wa