Marilyn Manson has officially released "Front Toward Enemy" across global streaming platforms. The track serves as the second single from his upcoming album, One Assassination Under God – Chapter 2 , due August 14 via Nuclear Blast Records. For casual listeners, it's a welcome return to the aggressive industrial metal that defined Manson's mid-'90s peak. For longtime fans, however, today's release feels like long-awaited vindication. To understand why, you have to go back to late 2024. When Manson ended his four-year public silence with One Assassination Under God – Chapter 1 , he also released the highly limited "Raise the Red Flag" maxi-CD. Hidden on that disc was an exclusive B-side titled in all caps: "FRONT TOWARD ENEMY." For more than a year, the song became something of a holy grail among collectors. Many fans believed it was simply too abrasive to fit the dark, introspective atmosphere of Chapter 1 , and speculation grew that it...
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."