The Golden Age of Grotesque

Remember when people got their panties in a bunch over Marilyn Manson? With bigger and more substantial problems than the Clown Prince of Darkness soaking up attention, we’re left merely with the music. And it’s not half-bad. Really. Amid punishing guitars, jerky synth squiggles, and lockstep rhythms, Manson welcomes us to The Golden Age with the opening salvo, “This Is the New Shit.” Actually, it’s the same old shit, but there’s no denying the power spewing from his industrial-rock creep show.