Review by Phil Rozier for MPM
In the autumn of 2024, ‘One Assassination Under God – Chapter One’ was released. Check out the review on Metal Planet Music. It felt like a turning of the tide, or the musical populus, and how they considered Marilyn Manson at the time, and how the new generations of edgy rock fans would take to the rock icons status amongst society.
Even by referring to Marilyn Manson as a rock icon is probably upsetting for some. And yet, the term icon is simply ‘a recognisable character associated to a particular genre or culture’. In which case, Marilyn Manson is one of the most famous icons of all.
And at the time, despite the clue being in the title, I didn’t expect a Chapter 2 whilst reviewing Chapter 1.
But here we are, nearly 2 years later, and on Friday just gone, the tinterweb community was made aware that ‘One Assassination Under God – Chapter 2’ will be released in August this year, and as a teaser, a brand new single ‘Exit Wound’ was released.
A slow opener, with the usual eerie build up reminds us of who we’re listening to, and, why. I say why, because if you are listening to ‘Exit Wound’ on release day, its probably because you’re wanting to. You know what you’re looking for, and you’re knowing what to expect.
And as the 30 second mark approaches, the clear and prominent bass rolls up the volume and drives the verse. Comfortingly familiar, and equally as compelling, you’re just waiting for the overdrive of the guitar to crack through the speaker cone and deliver that darkness that all MM fans crave. Predictable or not, there it is. The raucous riff that gets your head banging, and neck aching (especially at my age). As it drops away, it’s back into the more melodic bass driven verse again. Creating visuals of dry ice filled auditoriums and illuminated upside down Christian crosses (go see them, you’ll get what I mean!), ‘Exit Wound’ feels as if it’s it a true continuation of the previous album, not a supplementary recording.
Eerie at times, loud, aggressive, softer in parts, it’s pretty much classic Marilyn Manson. I assume a world tour will follow in late 2026 going into 2027. Let’s just hope the local councils in the UK don’t prohibit the entertainer from performing like they did on the previous tour. I think the world has bigger fish to fry than preventing an evening of dark entertainment that so many rock fans crave.
One Assassination Under God – Chapter 2, will be released August 14th. Pre-order available now.
https://mm.bfan.link/oaug-ch-2
“Exit Wound” music video out now.
https://mm.bfan.link/exit-wound
