Artist: Marilyn Manson
Venue: House of Blues
Location: Dallas, Tx
Date: 02.29.2008
Photography: Julian Perkins Williams

Can the made-up, axe-wielding, blood-spewing, bible-burning virulent plague to the Earth that is Marilyn Manson actually be a graceful panacea for some? Last Friday, this question – rife with contradictions that tailspin into conundrums – was posed to me, a lowly reporter who’d until that night strayed from metal, hardcore or, the transcendental epitome of all genres “obscene,” Mr. Marilyn Manson.

Until Friday, Marilyn Manson was nothing more than a definitive figurehead for hardcore, leading the revolution to degrade and undermine America’s “well-bred” society. But as the stage curtains opened after a lengthy delay due to technical difficulties, a veil was instantly lifted from my eyes as my virgin ears were relentlessly pumped with the truth about Manson.

To an untrained ear, his messages will prove to be nothing short of revolting, promoting violence and calling for the youth culture to “be obscene...be be obscene.” He will brandish American flags in contempt, show swirling Nazi insignias and rock-out halfway through his set with his obtuse rendition of Led Zeppelin’s “Rock and Roll...” that need not be named beyond that point.

Magical – sweeping smoke haze and forceful guitar effects – and crass at best, Manson’s performance is crude but deserves a tuneful ear to fully attain. His popular, well-circulated cover single, “Sweet Dreams,” brought the entire crowd to their feet. Pensive and droning, the song carried on as each and every person sung the lyrics and mangled Manson’s trademark squall before the song’s solo.

Newer generations of Manson lovers and older generations alike began to thrash and flail as Manson wrapped up his set with his anthemic ringer “Antichrist Superstar,” a song that will thoroughly breakthrough to those unwilling to comply with Manson’s brash artistry (or provocative, bible-burning showmanship).

In the end, there are so many ways, shapes and forms to take offense to Marilyn Manson that doing so would be useless. His audience, two generations of America’s “troubled” youth, will always appreciate his provocative slander and utter disregard for all-thing-pleasant.

At the ripe ole age of 39, it’s hard to tell how much longer the pink-paint band and gothic platforms will linger on stages throughout the world. But, no matter how many bibles get burned or lawsuit get thrown around aimlessly in Manson’s direction, he will still be one of the greatest artists of all time, showing his fan base they have something to hold on to...even if it’s the thought of mass atheistic uprising.