ALBUM OF THE WEEK
There’s always been a darkness to Marilyn Manson’s music – duh – but it’s usually been more of a ‘Halloween in the Hellfire Club’ kind of darkness.The Pale Emperoris probably the darkest album of Manson’s career but for entirely different reasons.
For his ninth album, Manson has partnered up with composer Tyler Bates (Californication, Guardians Of The Galaxy, 300) and stripped everything back to the bone. Instead of industrial rock textures, there are guitars that alternate between brash, bashy chords and lowdown lonesome melodies straight out of ’80s goth rock. Manson’s voice continues to shift through a variety of characterisations, but there’s something about this one that feels more vulnerable and damaged, and maybe closer to who he really is underneath the makeup and imagery.
This is an album that demands attention and to be listened to all the way through, but the first four songs in particular are a hell of a suite on their own. ‘Cupid Carries A Gun’ is another standout, which offsets stacked Manson vocals with eerie acoustic guitars and a drum beat that recalls ’70s glam.
It felt like Manson was searching a little during recent albums, not quite able to locate and settle in to wherever it is he belongs. Now he’s found a place that feels unforced and fully realised.
4.5/5.
The Pale Emperoris out now through Cooking Vinyl.
