I chose this album because of the description of its creation in the autobiography, and I find it to be completely consistant in tone and message with his book. Manson is very clear and unwavering about his mission, and has woven it brilliantly into this record. It is every bit the hard, ugly, utterly desolate wasteland that is his self-described soul, and of course, such pathos is the best kind of entertainment.

To those of us who love extremes, and can appreciate plunging to the dark depths as much as soaring the pristine heights, such intense music is very therapeutic. We all have a dark side, and Manson treads into it unapologetically. One gets the sense he is holding up a mirror to the devil in all of mankind; in Christian terms, displaying the Fall magnificently.

Now, being a hearing-damaged old lady, I will say that the slower, more melodious tracks are the ones that speak to me. To the extent Manson tones down the screeching, the result is as sweet and heartfelt as any love ballad. But as always, it is the lyrics that bring the emotion into the experience, and his lyrics are astounding. "Man That You Fear" for example, is a summary in one song of all the tragedy that was his journey out of childhood and into the damnation he now feels. As with "Tourniquet", a bitter rendition of innocence spoiling to ruins, and the inevitability of the process (flies will lay their eggs), it is this harsh imagery that is so refreshing, as well as his honesty. What else can the line, "Take your hatred out on me," be but an open invitation to what society is obliging him by doing?

Even if most of the songs exceed my personal listening tolerance for "shards of glass" delivery, their lyrics are incredible. Digesting this album was like going on a rollercoaster ride; intense, frightening, and exhiliarating. I felt as if I had been changed in some way, which is exactly what excellent art should do. This album probes into the very heart of spiritual angst, both on a personal level, and a social level. He's made no bones about the fact he is on the warpath against institutionalized religion, and seems all too aware that without depraved ugliness such as his, beauty and goodness would have no meaning. This goes to the heart of the question, "why does God allow evil to exist?" The Christian answer might be so that God's glory can be all the more appreciated. Manson's role as the AntiChrist can be seen not only in terms of slamming the hypocrisy of religion, but also as giving them exactly what they want. In this album, he gives us a foreshadowing of the very thing they warned him about as a child; the horror of the Apocalypse. He has virtually become the expression of that thing he feared the most. This journey between extreme poles is another clue that he is an artistic force to be reckoned with. Manson has consciously chosen the role of manifesting man's darker nature, that part which follows Satan, if you will, and this album is a fine presentation of his message. If this is an exposition of the evil AntiChrist, we must ask ourselves a hard question: Is Manson's dark world really evil, or is the album actually an indictment of sanctimonious "good" people?

But, as with the book, one doesn't need to delve into all the inner meanings to enjoy this music. It has a deep, driving intensity that matches a person's need for introspective down time; music in which one can indulge one's more "vulnerable moments", to borrow a term from the secret reversed intro to track 4. On a practical level, this means it is perfect for when you're grieving a breakup, are enraged at being wronged, or simply wish to blast yourself with a good, hard, emotional listen. I highly recommend this album to those who like this kind of music, or to the curious who can be very open-minded.


We Hate Love, We Love Hate   September 25, 2004
 12 out of 13 found this review helpful

When this came out, People were blown away. Parents and Christians began picketing (And still do) his concerts; not realizing that they are only adding to the fuel of the fire. A large portion of what I can say about Antichrist Superstar can be said in Manson's own Autobiography the Long Hard Road Out of Hell, so instead of repeating what is said in that marvelous book, I shall state how I discovered Marilyn Manson, the meanings, and what I think of Antichrist Superstar.

I live/grew up on the edge of my town, without cable and very few people around me. Therefore it was quite easy for my parents to shield me from the world. I grew up as a kid with a foggy idea of what was around me so to say. The one thing about my parents was that they were not very religious. I have never gone to church except for weddings and funerals. Heck, I didn't really find out about the concept of God until fourth grade.(Yet I knew what Christmas was; thank you Public Schools!) I had always heard of Marilyn Manson and when you "hear of" Marilyn Manson, you hear the Rumors of Marilyn Manson. I thought he was a psycho who did things with his ribs. When the whole Columbine thing happened, I was afraid that listening to his music would brainwash me. At the time the only song of his I heard (Still thought was good, but was afraid of listening to it) was the song on the Spawn Soundtrack that has the same title as his book. After a period of time and occasionally hearing a song here and there, (Rock is Dead, Sweet Dreams) I wanted go deeper into what Manson is all about and examined his music and messages carefully. What ended up happening is that Manson is now one of my favorite Artists/bands and I own all of his/their records. Ironic isn't it?

The album Antichrist Superstar is a concept album which tells the story of the rise and fall of the Antichrist Superstar. It's his growing up as a worm; to becoming the man that you fear. It is a view on our society and how it functions. It has the reputation as Manson's darkest and most industrial album. There are 3 Parts. This is how the story unfolds.

Part 1: The Heirophant
Irresponsible hate Anthem: It's February 14, 1997 (Valentines Day) The Antichrist has risen, but we most go back to the beginning to understand his origins.
The Beautiful People: The Worm is born into a world where you must look good to succeed in life. (Awesome Video too)
Dried Up, Tied and Dead to the World: Throughout childhood the Worm has been used by people so that they can succeed and not him.
Tourniquet: This is the Worms's love life; every woman has taken advantage of him as well. He tries to create "the perfect woman", (see the video) but in the end he is her tourniquet and he is back to square 1. (Or so it seems)

Part 2: Inauguration of the Worm
Little Horn: Dark clouds begin to gather and The Worm is growing. He tries to save others, but he knows he can't. On an additional note, Little Horn appears in the Bible in the book of Daniel. He was a man that spoke out against god, it is often interpreted that Little Horn is the Antichrist.
Cryptorchild: Even though the Worm is weak, his metamorphosis is starting and he will become stronger. (The video for this was banned by the way)
Deformography: This is where he begins to become a rock star and starts to learn the tricks of the trade. Some people start to look at him as a leader.
Wormboy: He is just starting to understand what is happening to him.
Mr. Superstar: A Song that analyzes the way rock stars are seen as gods by their fans. His control over people is growing.
Angel with the Scabbed Wings: His followers and fanatics are doomed, simply put. He is now inhuman.
Kinderfeld: The title is Field of Children in German. Technically it's about Manson's grandparents. It's a type of flashback of when the Superstar was a Worm and he is reflecting on all that he has gone through and prepares himself for the final phase.

Part 3: Disintegrator Rising
Antichrist Superstar: At this point he tells the people that He didn't do this to them, it was themselves. He has become the monster.
1996: It's an Election year and the new leader is none other than the Antichrist Superstar. This is the peek of his wrath.
The Minute of Decay: After all the destruction, hardly anything is left and though he might as well go down, he wants to take everyone with him. Surprisingly it's a slow song.
The Reflecting God: It turns out that at the end, the only God was himself. This is where the whole be your own god attitude comes from (I think). He gives not himself or anyone forgiveness.
Man That You Fear: A nice slow song that shows History repeats itself. Any Worm can become the next Man that you Fear.
Then there are the untitled silent tracks. Track 17 is 9 seconds long, tracks 18-97 are 4 seconds long. And track 98 is 5 seconds long. I have no idea why it's like that, it just is.
Track 99: It's a small electro plea from the Antichrist. Is the he really gone? Lyrics are not given and I had to look them up via the net to understand it.

I honestly feel that this album is a masterpiece. The only songs that I occasionally skip are Wormboy, Mr. Superstar, and The Minute of Decay. However it may take a few listens to fully understand everything. Very angry, original and has yet to be copied. Manson used to have my fear but now he has my utmost respect. I hoped this helped.



The *DARKEST* album in the history of music   August 25, 2000
 11 out of 17 found this review helpful

I purchased Marilyn Manson's "Antichrist Superstar" in early 1997, a few months after its release. This is definitely not an album that you pop in while driving to the movies and listen to a track here and there... the entire album tells a story, similar to Pink Floyd's "The Wall". Be warned, however, this album is not for everyone. It's the darkest, most depressing work of music that I've ever heard.

The album starts out with some mainstream singles such as "The Beautiful People" and "Tourniquet". As it goes on however, it gets into deeply depressing, angry and disturbing songs such as "Deformography", "Cryptorchild", "Mister Superstar" and "Kinderfeld". The most powerful track on this CD is without a doubt "The Reflecting God", a very angst-ridden track with seemingly suicidal messages and how life isn't worth living without risks. It ends with the very numbing "Man That You Fear".

Marilyn Manson's finest masterpiece to date - Mechanical Animals and Portrait of an American Family are both excellent albums but they don't hold a candle to ACS.


Should we call it "The dumbed down, hate fueled Alice Cooper   November 20, 2003
 11 out of 23 found this review helpful

Here's the plan: Let's find some freakish fiend who can out quote nietze with sensless overwraught drivel, and let him be Trent Reznor's puppet to create a hate infused musical retread of Alice Cooper and Black Sabbath, minus any semblance of humor, actual skill, talent or erstwhile artistic commodity. Mission accomplished! Here's yer "Antichrist Superstar"!!!


why the blind following?   July 20, 1999
 10 out of 22 found this review helpful

I'd like to start by saying that I don't get offended easily, and certainly not by this. What I can't understand is why this sub-par band has such a blind, unapoligetic following. Most of the music is bad. Not because I don't understand it, but because most of the music is bad. Come on ladies and gentlemen, do you think he really believes what he sings? It's an act. Manson isn't a musician...he's a talented entreprenuer.