Marilyn Manson
Holy Wood

Release Date: 2000 | Tracklist

Marilyn Manson was one who enjoyed controversy, being a shock rock band and providing subliminal messages about society that was tucked from view but if there's one thing that envelops all of this into one tight-nit package, Holy Wood would be that album. Who says art can't come in audial form?

This album is the third in a tryptich which employs the concept of a rebellion which eventually became what it was fighting against. Following our protagonist, Adam, we are introduced to this rebellion in where each song tells us how the rebellion initially took over the "Beautiful People" but had eventually became what they were fighting against, a cyclic process of replacing the "Beautiful People" rather than eliminating them and living as they normally would.

Having said all this, one can observe that there are many a variation in musical tones, varying greatly from the hard rock sound which punches through in the form of "The Fight Song", a typical rebel anthem with a basic guitar and poppy drum beat which is also indicative of the start of the "rebellion" period as the storyline goes. One may also find that they are drawn into the strange onslaught against the people governing these "Beautiful People" and it would present itself in the form of "Target Audience (Naricuss Narcosis)" Which employs a slower, slightly more melodramatic atmosphere but nevertheless it maintains its rebellious status throughout the track.

Vocally, this record picks up when Manson pours his heart and soul into some of the quieter tracks on the album, such as the song which indicate the turning point in the rebellious behavior, namely "In The Shadow Of The Valley Of Death" where Manson really shows his audience how harmonic yet abrasive his attitude is, not to mention the lyricism in this track,which is at its' peak. Adam has realised that he should just give it up and quit, and he certainly seems to have done so as "A Place In The Dirt" indicates to us ("All God's children we are sent/To our place in the sun/In the dirt.") Manson's grim voice rings loud and clear, making sure to sound as nihilistic and emotionally vacant as possible while still illustrating to the audience that he is emphasizing Adam's disillusionment with what has happened to the rebellion that once was out to cancel popularity.

This record has two very minor flaws: the first being that there are far too many references to bible-related characters, which is seen to suggest a very anti-religious stance and it could be misinterpereted as an insult to those who believe in Christianity, just sayin'. The second of two flaws is that there is almost always that 15-20 seconds of silence that happens to attach itself to the beginning of every song, which is quite annoying considering the quality of this record.

All in all, if you like to observe an in-depth analysis of a rebellion gone wrong, you like to hear a good hard rock tune or you just enjoy Marilyn Manson's music in general, you shall enjoy listening to this. This is a must-have for collectors of concept albums for sure.

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4 excellent

Rank: #155 for 2000