I. The Backlash: When Social Media Becomes the Story When Slipknot announced their 2027 (sic)est Stadium Tour , with Marilyn Manson opening the Wembley Stadium show and joining them for the South American dates, including The Town in São Paulo, the reaction was almost immediate. Thousands of comments appeared beneath the announcement, many from people saying they would no longer attend. Some described the decision as disappointing, others said they would not spend money on a concert that included Manson, and some presented the booking as a betrayal of what they believed Slipknot represented. The reaction was real, and there is no reason to pretend otherwise. What interests me, however, is what happens after that initial reaction: how it is collected, amplified, repeated by music publications, and gradually transformed from a collection of individual responses into something that can begin to look like a universal verdict from “the fans.” The current coverage makes that process fairly e...
Five Finger Death Punch guitarist Zoltan Bathory addressed the controversy surrounding Marilyn Manson’s 2024 tour inclusion in a recent interview with Rock Feed.
The interviewer asked about the band’s decision to include Marilyn Manson on their tour despite public criticism. Bathory provided a detailed explanation of the band’s perspective.
“Manson is one of the characters who was such a big rock star, a true rock star,” Bathory said. “We live in this media world, and sometimes I read articles that are completely not true, even interviews I never gave. There is data out there, and things about us that are completely false. It’s ridiculous in some spots.”
Bathory elaborated on his stance regarding media accusations and the justice system.
“So when something is being told, I don’t take it on face value. None of us should,” he continued. “The justice system still works that way, thank God. You can be accused of things, but that doesn’t mean it’s true. I think all those accusations against Manson turned out to be completely bullshit.”
He then addressed Manson’s current state and the band’s support decision.
“We stood our ground because this is a great artist and one of the last big rock stars,” he explained. “He is completely sober and on the right path. Some guys in the band share that path. We faced ridiculous false accusations ourselves when he was accused.”
“There’s no judgment if it’s just an accusation. No actual evidence exists. There isn’t even a court case really. We’re not going to fall for that.”
Bathory’s defense of Manson reflects the current legal situation. No court cases have resulted in convictions related to previous accusations against Manson. This fact supports Bathory’s emphasis on presumption of innocence.
The collaboration between Five Finger Death Punch and Marilyn Manson creates a significant moment in rock music. It unites two major acts while addressing broader issues of accountability and redemption in the music industry.
Marilyn Manson and Five Finger Death Punch will perform on the same stage again in the Summer of 2025 at a few Rock festivals.
The interviewer asked about the band’s decision to include Marilyn Manson on their tour despite public criticism. Bathory provided a detailed explanation of the band’s perspective.
“Manson is one of the characters who was such a big rock star, a true rock star,” Bathory said. “We live in this media world, and sometimes I read articles that are completely not true, even interviews I never gave. There is data out there, and things about us that are completely false. It’s ridiculous in some spots.”
Bathory elaborated on his stance regarding media accusations and the justice system.
“So when something is being told, I don’t take it on face value. None of us should,” he continued. “The justice system still works that way, thank God. You can be accused of things, but that doesn’t mean it’s true. I think all those accusations against Manson turned out to be completely bullshit.”
He then addressed Manson’s current state and the band’s support decision.
“We stood our ground because this is a great artist and one of the last big rock stars,” he explained. “He is completely sober and on the right path. Some guys in the band share that path. We faced ridiculous false accusations ourselves when he was accused.”
“There’s no judgment if it’s just an accusation. No actual evidence exists. There isn’t even a court case really. We’re not going to fall for that.”
Bathory’s defense of Manson reflects the current legal situation. No court cases have resulted in convictions related to previous accusations against Manson. This fact supports Bathory’s emphasis on presumption of innocence.
The collaboration between Five Finger Death Punch and Marilyn Manson creates a significant moment in rock music. It unites two major acts while addressing broader issues of accountability and redemption in the music industry.
Marilyn Manson and Five Finger Death Punch will perform on the same stage again in the Summer of 2025 at a few Rock festivals.