10 Things I Think About New Marylin Manson Album

Marilyn Manson has unleashed his 12th studio album, One Assassination Under God – Chapter 1, on Friday, November 22. It’s his first release in four years since We Are Chaos and sees him collaborating once again with Tyler Bates, this time under the Nuclear Blast banner. The shock-rocker is back, and here are 10 things I think about this new album. Or an album review in other words.

1. BACK FROM THE ABYSS!

First of all, I like the fact that he’s back after everything that happened. But that’s not all. Manson posted on his X account that this is just the first half of his story—Chapter 1, “conjured from purgatory, and it’s raw as the row of broken teeth that slightly resemble a smile,” as he describes. I’m really looking forward to Chapter 2.

2. OPENER FAILS TO PACK A PUNCH

Although the opening song, One Assassination Under God – Chapter 1, is practically the introduction to this concept album, I have to say I don’t like it as the album opener, speaking purely and only from a musical standpoint. Maybe I’m biased, thinking album openers should typically be rocking tunes that set the stage for the entire release, which is not the case here, but hey, that’s only me.

3. JAW-DROPPING ALBUM ART!

Whoever painted that picture of Marilyn Manson for the album cover did an excellent job. If this is really his work—and I think it is—it reminds me of the golden age of his discography in terms of album covers, the period from 1994 to 2003. The ominous image of him, paired with those gothic red letters, is just a perfect match. If I didn’t know who he was in 2024 and stumbled upon this album in a record store, I would definitely buy it just for the cover alone.

4. SINGLES THAT STRIKE BLOOD!

The singles that preceded the albums As Sick As the Secrets Within and Raise the Red Flag were a bullseye and the perfect choice to introduce not only the albums but also the band itself—and, of course, Manson, who has practically risen from the ashes after a turbulent period. The creepy, ominous, synyster-style guitar riffs in the first track and the ferocious screams in the second, along with the messages they carry, were a clear signal that with this album—and Manson himself—there’s no messing around.

5. GLAM ROCK SURPRISE

The third single, Sacrilegious, took me completely by surprise. The track has an unmistakable glam rock vibe, wrapped in Manson’s signature, one-of-a-kind musical stamp. Yet, my favorite song from this release isn’t one of the singles—it’s the follow-up, Death Is Not a Costume. Man, what a track. That insanely dark guitar riff sends chills down your spine—hooks you from the first note, and then the chorus absolutely slays. What can I say? I’m a guitarist, and I have a deep appreciation for this kind of work. Hats off to whoever came up with it.

6. THIRD ACT CHAOS!

The final third of the album is just as intriguing. Alongside the previously mentioned Red Flag and the outro track Sacrifice of the Mass (which I don’t find that interesting as the rest of the record), there’s the frenetic Meet Me in Purgatory. Is this the same purgatory where all these songs Manson mentioned were born? Never mind. The new wave vibe is unmistakable here, and the keyboards in the chorus remind me of an ’80s band from my country called EKV. Most of you probably haven’t heard of them, but that’s the vibe—it’s exactly that.

7. DÉJÀ VU OR GENIUS?

Ah, right—almost forgot. Am I the only one who thinks the guitars in No Funeral Without Applause have a hint of Sweet Dreams in them? Anyway, that brings us to the topic of production—something I almost never talk about. But this time, I have to tip my hat to Tyler Bates and Marilyn Manson for an outstanding job. The sound here is sharp, immersive, and exactly what this album needed. Well done!

8. BEYOND EXPECTATIONS!

This album, One Assassination Under God / Chapter 1, is leagues ahead of the previous We Are Chaos. Night and day, honestly. If I were to do an album ranking, it would probably sit right behind the legendary ’90s trilogy. Yeah, it’s that damn good.

9. CHAPTER II: CAN IT TOP THIS?

For that very reason, I don’t think Chapter II will be able to surpass this album. That’s usually how it goes with two-part releases—but I wouldn’t mind if Manson proved me wrong. Still, taken as a whole, both chapters could come together to form a true masterpiece. We’ll talk about it when the time comes.

10. A NEW CLASSIC

In the end, what more is there to say except that this is a phenomenal album—easily one of the best releases of 2024. It’s no small feat to deliver something this damn good when you’re a legendary band from the past. Just look at what Linkin Park did with their new album… Honestly, anyone choosing to ignore this record is missing out—big time.

As for what happened with Manson, it happened. I’m not here to talk about it, nor will it stop me from discussing this album. I’m just a music journalist and guitarist, and from that perspective, all I can say is: hats off for this masterpiece. We can’t wait for the sequel. It seems Marilyn Manson still has plenty left to say.

You can check out the album ratings of One Assassination Under God – Chapter I in the video below!

@junkyardrs
Album Review: Marilyn Manson – One Assassination Under God Chapter One 1 One Assassination Under God – 0/5 2 No Funeral Without Applause – 1 3 Nod If You Understand – 0/5 4 As Sick As The Secrets Within – 1 5 Sacrilegious – 1 6 Death Is Not A Costume – 1 7 Meet Me In Purgatory – 1 8 Raise The Red Flag – 1 9 Sacrifice Of The Mass – 0/5 Best Songs: Death Is Not A Costume, Raise The Red Flag, Sacrilegious To Avoid: first and last one Rating: 7,5/9 It’s great to have the legendary shock rocker back. The album is full of dark (how else?) vibes, layered with heavy guitars. It’s a ferocious, raw, and honest record with some really interesting gems, like the glammy Sacrilegious or the new wave-inspired Death Is Not a Costume. #marilynmanson #albumreview #marilynmansonfan #goth
♬ Raise The Red Flag – Marilyn Manson