Twins of Evil Tour - Manchester Arena, 27.11.12
On paper, the Twins of Evil tour has the potential to be completely mind-blowing, like nothing you have ever seen before or will again. Two of the music worlds greatest showmen coming together for a show full of off the scale props and amazing songs. Too good to be true right?
Up first tonight in the coupling of madness is Marilyn Manson, king of goths, the God of Fuck himself. There has been much speculation over his live shows over the last few years, and it has been widely reported by many that he just doesn’t cut it anymore, but tonight in Manchester there is a hint of optimism in the air as Manson’s set draws near. Many fans dressed up as the star, and deafening screams as he takes to the stage.
Kicking thing’s off with Hey Cruel World, it isn’t the most exciting start to things, but as soon as Disposable Teens kicks in it is a different story. An exhilarating version of Love Song shows that Manson has still got it, somewhere still within him he has the power to command an audience with his screams.
His set wavers from brilliant in parts to lack lustre in others. Slo-Mo-Tion is, slow and bares the fact that Manson’s voice is lacking somewhat these days, but his rendition of Coma White complete with fake snow falling to the stage was pretty magnificent. King Kill 33, Antichrist Superstar and Beautiful People steal the show as being the best tracks of the set. Whether good, or bad, you cannot deny just how entertaining Manson is capable of being, but their is definitely the air of ‘warm up act’ and his days of being the main man may sadly be over.
The night takes one hell of a turn when Rob Zombie hits the stage. Manchester Arena becomes a horror movie heavy metal party and the crowd go wild. There is so much to take in. Giant LED screens blazoned with shocking scenes, green eyed monsters, demons, robots, and a ridiculous amount of confetti, and not one bit of it is over compensating or in place of the music, because that is amazing too.
Superbeast, Living Dead Girl, Sick Bubblegum, the list is endless, and every bit of it flawless. Throw in a few White Zombie hits and you got yourself a winner of a show. The atmosphere is a complete change and it is electric. Two stunning solos from (former members of Marilyn Manson) Ginger Fish and John 5 go down a storm and Zombie himself makes his way around the arena, greeting his followers.
Ending on a brief cover of Alice Cooper’s School’s Out and the classic Dragula, Rob Zombie shows he still has what it takes as a showman and he certainly knows how to rock a crowd.
There is no question really who comes out on top of the Twins of Evil contest this evening, Zombie is the King, and Manson needs to take it up a notch next time but there is no denying what an incredible evening it has been.
Caris Smith
Manson & Zombie team up for winter tour
Heavy metal pioneers Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie have announced they are bringing their Twins Of Evil tour to the UK this fall! Kicking off the tour in the States, the horror duo are expected in the UK this November. Zombie took the UK by storm last year with an incredible solo tour and a blinding performance and last years Download festival, and currently working on a new album, his return to our shores can’t come quick enough! As for Manson, seemingly regaining some of his former glory with recent release Born Villiain and a successful show at Brixton’s Academy last week, this looks to be one of the tours of the year.
Venues and prices are still to be announced but check out the dates below!
November 26 - London, UK
November 27 - Manchester, UK
November 28 - Glasgow SECC, UK
November 29 - Birmingham, UK
Marilyn Manson - Brixton Academy, 05.07.2012
Once upon a time Marilyn Manson was seen as the spawn of the devil, the bringer of evil. People protested his gigs and he was the epicentre of worldwide moral panic. Fast forward to 2012 and things could not be more different. Where once there was a buzz about the self-confessed ‘God of Fuck’ playing a gig, these days its just another show.
Manson has somewhat fallen off the radar in recent years, thanks to a couple of dodgy post-divorce albums. He lost touch with his fans who weren’t keen on his new direction, and he lacked excitement live. But, he recently released new album Born Villain which has sort of been a return to former glory, his best album in years, and all who attend the Brixton Academy this evening hope tonights show reflects the same.
Neon blue lights glow behind a black curtain, the curtain drops to the sound of thousands screaming and the silhouette of Manson can be seen. He opens with Hey Cruel World, the first track from Born Villain, and his deep raspy voice bellows throughout the academy. Straight into Disposable Teens and Love Song from his Holywood album, the crowd go wild as it appears Manson is very much back. He seems really together and in great form, and certainly sounds fantastic, although it has to be said his screams are not as powerful as they once were, but the energy is still there.
The return of Twiggy Ramirez is certainly a welcome one. He adds to the whole show by just being present, he and Manson are two of a kind, a double act who bounce off each other perfectly. At one point, Manson emulates Bowie and falls to his knees infront of Ramirez and he delivers a guitar solo, of course to an enormous reception.
Tonight is not just all about Born Villain either. Manson visits the past and we hear some of his ‘classics’. Tourniquet, The Dope Show, Sweet Dreams all sound fantastic, but the new material does also. No Reflection sounds just as good live and new single Slo-Mo-Tion is a perfect drill of heavy bass and taunting vocals. I wish we could have heard more of the new album live actually as there are some great tracks I think would work really well.
Of course, Manson’s theatrical side shines through. A microphone that looks like a knife, fake snow falling on stage and the return of his commentators stand during Antichrist Superstar, he certainly likes to entertain. He ends the evening with undisputable anthem The Beautiful People and it is clear that once again Manson has returned to form and his army of loyal fans are incredibly happy to have him back.
Caris Smith
July’s gig treats!
Don’t know who to go and see in July? Here are our recommendations…
KISS
The mighty KISS are playing a one off show at London’s HMV Forum in place of this years cancelled Sonisphere Festival. Titled KISS - Help For Heroes, it is also a fundraising event. Get involved if you can!
Marilyn Manson
Making a triumphant return with Born Villian, Manson is another playing a show in place of Sonisphere. After a few ropey years, recent footage shows he could be heading back in the right direction. Find out for yourself!
Brian Jonestown Massacre
Accompanied by Cate Le Bon, the hugely underrated Brian Jonestown Massacre are bringing their psychedelic sounds to London and Birmingham this month. Check them out.
Hard Rock Calling
Featuring huge names such as Soundgarden and Bruce Springsteen, hopefully the weather will won’t dampen this years festival at Hyde Park. With other names such as Black Stone Cherry and Skindred on the bill, it’d be a shame to miss it! More info here.
Marilyn Manson - Born Villain
Marilyn Manson has hard time of it in recent years. Coming under scrutiny for the past few albums he has produced and the quality of his live performances, it was going to take a lot to win his fans round. Even his die hard fans were beginning to grow weary of what was coming next. But with Born Villain, all may be well again it seems…
With the release of 2007’s Eat Me Drink Me, and 2009’s The High End of Low, the band seemed to stray from their industrial sound, going for something different, that sadly didn’t work as well. Even the return of bassist Twiggy Ramirez on the last album didn’t really help. However, on Born Villain, Manson seems to bring together his sound from all his past albums and combine them to make a record that sees him back at his best. His vocal performance is also spot on. His wails, screams, spoken word antics, which are ever prominent on track The Gardener, and his distinct low melodic voice are emphasized more than ever throughout Born Villain.
The lead single No Reflection set the scene nicely. Crunchy guitars, classic Mansonesque lyrics, and even an air of Joy Division about it. It sets the tone for the record. Heavy riffs, thumping huge basslines and distorted as ever. Manson advised in interviews that Villain was heavily influenced by Killing Joke, where Twiggy said it was like a punk rock Mechanical Animals, turns out they were right.
There are some great tracks on the album. The aforementioned The Gardener, Hey, Cruel World and The Flowers of Evil all stand out but it is Murderers are Getting Prettier Every Day that is without doubt the best song here. Possibly one of the heaviest songs he has released since his work on Antichrist Superstar, it is ferociously fantastic. A great ending to the album, Mansons cover of You’re So Vain is also quite brilliant. Featuring Johnny Depp on guitar, it is a deeply twisted version of Carly Simon’s classic track.
The whole mood of the album is pretty dark, but it sees Manson growing up. I understand that sounds ridiculous as he is a grown man, but the sound is a lot more grown up than his recent efforts. It is a great comeback album, certainly his best in years. Manson seems to have rediscovered his musical identity and has finally realised he doesn’t need to be shocking anymore to be relevant, it’s all about the music. Born Villain does the trick and reminds us all why we love Mr. Manson in the first place.
Caris Smith
