When Marilyn Manson's One Assassination Under God – Chapter 2 debuted at No. 41 on the Billboard 200, Forbes described the result as a new career low for the controversial musician. In terms of the Billboard 200 itself, that description is accurate. Chapter 2 became Manson's first traditional studio album since his debut to miss the Top 40, falling one position short of the threshold that every other regular studio album had reached since Portrait of an American Family . His previous album, One Assassination Under God – Chapter 1 , had reached No. 32 in 2024, while We Are Chaos had reached No. 8 in 2020. It would therefore be pointless to argue that the No. 41 position somehow does not represent a decline. It plainly does. What deserves closer examination, however, is what that decline actually tells us about Manson's audience and his current position within the music industry, because the Billboard 200 is only one measurement of an album's performance. When the oth...
As an introduction to his performance of "Disposable Teens" at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada on September 1st 2024, Marilyn Manson, speaking to his fans in the audience, addressed the attempt at his cancelation, saying:
"How dare anybody try to take you away from me. How dare anybody try to take me away from you, cause I'm not FUCKING DISPOSABLE!"
In saying this, Manson is telling the audience that even though there was an attempt to have him canceled, it was also an attempt at canceling all those who who support him and have been his fans. To say "how dare" is a response of offense and anger. When something is "disposable" it is intended to be used once, or until no longer useful, and then thrown away, which goes well with what cancelation really is. So in saying with emphasis he is not disposable he is telling his audience that he is back with a vengeance and uncancelable.
It should also be highlighted that the music video from 2000 for "Disposable Teens" is precisely a depiction of the entire process of being canceled and coming back with a vengeance, and this is reflected again in Manson's new music, especially in the opening lines of "Raise the Red Flag".* In the 2000 video for this first single after being blamed for the Columbine Massacre, we see Manson being crucified and devoured as a sacrifice and rising again from the waters with vengeance, followed by him performing in front of a crowd surrounded by fascist looking police with crucifix shaped batons. As the video climaxes the crowd is seen overthrowing the guards. In other words, even back in 2000, there was an attempt at Manson's cancelation, and in his new music and performance, especially with this recent introduction to "Disposable Teens" a few days ago, Manson is showing that the cycle is being repeated and that he is indeed uncancelable.
See the performance in the video below:
"How dare anybody try to take you away from me. How dare anybody try to take me away from you, cause I'm not FUCKING DISPOSABLE!"
In saying this, Manson is telling the audience that even though there was an attempt to have him canceled, it was also an attempt at canceling all those who who support him and have been his fans. To say "how dare" is a response of offense and anger. When something is "disposable" it is intended to be used once, or until no longer useful, and then thrown away, which goes well with what cancelation really is. So in saying with emphasis he is not disposable he is telling his audience that he is back with a vengeance and uncancelable.
It should also be highlighted that the music video from 2000 for "Disposable Teens" is precisely a depiction of the entire process of being canceled and coming back with a vengeance, and this is reflected again in Manson's new music, especially in the opening lines of "Raise the Red Flag".* In the 2000 video for this first single after being blamed for the Columbine Massacre, we see Manson being crucified and devoured as a sacrifice and rising again from the waters with vengeance, followed by him performing in front of a crowd surrounded by fascist looking police with crucifix shaped batons. As the video climaxes the crowd is seen overthrowing the guards. In other words, even back in 2000, there was an attempt at Manson's cancelation, and in his new music and performance, especially with this recent introduction to "Disposable Teens" a few days ago, Manson is showing that the cycle is being repeated and that he is indeed uncancelable.
See the performance in the video below:
* "Your autopsy table is ready
Pay off the drug deals you made with God
A last meal, then your crucifixion
If you're not paranoid, it's probably too late."
A last meal, then your crucifixion
If you're not paranoid, it's probably too late."