Antichrist Superstar [PA] - Marilyn Manson > Reviews > Your world is an ash tray...

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Groundbreaking
Lyrics	Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Outstanding
Value for Money	Excellent

Advantages:	Good music, heavy
Disadvantages:	may seem too long at times

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Marilyn Manson's second full length album is a radical departure from the hard rockish, almost punk like debut album Portrait of an American Family. This record is all about darkness. The overall sound has been taken up a notch and is much much heavier than anything they did before.

The album is split into 3 parts, or cycles as the back of the CD says. Cycle 1 is tracks 1-4. Cycle 2 is tracks 5-11. Cycle 3 is tracks 12-16. I hope I'm right on this...

It is not until Cycle 2 that the true concept of the album begins. It is an interesting concept I must say. Basically, it begins with the birth of the "worm" as is said, and ends with his death. In between we are treated to his rise, and his ultimate fall. I believe this to be one of the best concept albums ever, no joke. I believe a track by track rundown is needed to fully grasp the brilliance held herein.

*My interpretation of the songs are only my thinking. They may or may not be accurate.*

1. Irresponsible Hate Anthem. This song kicks things off with a bang. Possibly Manson's second fastest song ever, it really packs a punch, and is filled with enough lyrics about hate to satisfy any teenage fan(which is after all, how old most fans of Manson are.) A fast, almost thrashy riff, is the main focus of the music, with a fast drum beat. During the verses, the bass is heard prominently, but only playing the root notes of the main riff. A good song, and I believe a great opener. The overall theme is one of hatred and disgust of modern society.

2. The Beautiful People. Well, we all know this song. Probably Manson's most popular song, this no doubt propelled the album to #3(?) on the Billboard chart upon release. It is a catchy, heavy metal song, with a great riff and a very catchy chorus, which is screamed just enough to be effective, yet not enough to be annoying. The song seems to be about the bad deeds of capitalism. "Capitalism has made it this way. Old fashioned facism will take it away."

3. Dried Up, Tied, and Dead To the World. This song works well for what it is: filler. It is a short little number, which thankfully ends before getting worse. Not that it is bad, by no means, but it just doesn't pack the punch that most of the album does. Seems to be about drug use and the effect is has on the user.

4. Tourniquet. Call me crazy, but I just don't love this song like everyone else seems to. It's catchy, but it just doesn't do much for me. I enjoy the main riff, but not much else. Good lyrics though(which of course is no surprise when regarding Manson.) Seems to be about lost love(?)

5. Little Horn. This is where the concept of the album begins. A fast, thrashy riff is the main ingredient in this song. In the lyrics, the worm is born into the unsuspecting world, not yet knowing his true power and motives. "Little Horn is born, Little Horn is born..."

6. Cryptorchid. Well now, this is a VERY different song. There is no guitar, drums, or bass(may be), but just synths and samples, with Manson singing overtop, in which he utilizes many different vocal talents. Eerie chanting ends the song with "Prick your finger it is done, the moon has now eclipsed the sun, the angel has spread its wings, the time has come for bitter things." Sppoky... The worm is a child now and is beginning to realize what he is.

7. Deformagraphy. A catchy song that works very well. The worm is now growing up and is on his way to becoming the antichrist.

8. Wormboy. Another good song, in which the worm has realized that he is the antichrist. In my opinion, tracks 5-10 are all awesome songs. With lyrics like "When you get to heaven, you will wish you're in hell", which to me means that the image of heaven everyone sees is not what it truly is. The worm has gotten his wings as it says "When I got my wings, and I never eveb knew that when I was a worm..."

9. Mister Superstar. The worm is now in power and is loved by all. The obsessive fans are dying to be with him, and will kill him if they can't have him. A nice distorted guitar riff makes this song a winner.

10. Angel With the Scabbed Wings. Possibly the best song on the album, the worm is still in power, yet is beginning to realize that he is losing it by hurting himself with drugs, etc. Awesome and catchy riffs drive this song up to the top of the list. I love the mid section "Get back, you're never gonna please him."

11. Kinderfeld. Well this song is alright, but I think of it as filler. It has a reprise of the "When I got my wings" lyrics. The antichrist is losing his grip on humanity now.

12. Antichrist Superstar. People now realize that he is indeed the antichrist, and his reign is ending. A good riff and thunderous drums drive this song. It features a reprise of Cryptorchid lyrics. "Prick your finger it is done..." This song though seems to be that the antichrist has not yet taken power. I am probably behind in my track descriptions as far as the story goes. Damn...

13. 1996. A fast, thrashy riff makes this song decadently delightful. It is about the antichrist's anti-everything policy, as he is now almost completely out of power and he is angry with the world. "Anti-white and anti-man, I got the anti-future plan."

14. Minute of Decay. A nice, short little number. The antichrist feels as if he is dying in a dying world. Great lyrics too. "There's not much left to love. Too tired today to hate."

15. Reflecting God. An awesome, catchy, hard hitting, heavy as hell song that tells the story of the antichrist going to see if there is a god, but only finds out that both heaven and hell are lies, and that he is god. I take this as meaning that he is his own god and no fake god can tell him what to do. The mid section "Shoot here and the world gets smaller..." part is bone crunching heavy.

16. Man That You Fear. The albums closer, and the only ballad. The antichrist is dead, and the world will pay for what they have done to him. A piano and drums drive this song. "Pray your life was just a dream, the cut that never heals" are some fantastic lyrics to this great, sad song.

Overall this album is a work of genius(IMO) and really showed what Marilyn Manson was truly capable of. I highly recommend this album to fans of heavy metal, hard rock, industrial, and to people who dismiss Manson as some satanic madman. Buy!