Yesterday I‘ve marked the 4th Marilyn Manson concert in my history. And I have to be honest, that I was scared. After last year’s November when he played in Helsinki, I couldn’t sleep after that just because there were so many things to be said. Luckily, this time there was nothing in the way and this is why I’m writing about yesterday only now, a day after, and not right after the show.

Antichrist Superstar time

Like always, it was interesting to observe what kind of people were going to see Marilyn Manson. While standing there since 6pm (1 hour until the doors open, but I have to get the best place as a compensation for November) I could have played a drinking game — drink when you see 1) a girl wearing red lipstick, 2) a girl with black hair, 3) a girl with blonde hair (because you are in Norway), 4) Manson related tattoo or shirt, 5) signs of self-harm (this is not to make fun or anything — I’m just making a point which is rather sad that there are so many young, beautiful people who do that). And to make this game even better — if that person fits more than one point, take as many sips as it fits.

When the clock struck 7pm, everyone rushed to Sentrum scene with me being one of the lucky ones to stand in the first row. The venue is not one of the biggest which resulted in the show being a complete sold out and looking as if it was really full, not like in Helsinki.

This time the warming up band did a really great job. Årabrot, “noise-oriented post punk music from Haugesund” prepared incense on both sides of the stage creating a ritual look while playing an aria from some opera in the background. When they all came up on stage, it was an interesting sight for one’s eyes — looking like Leia from Star Wars KORG-player dressed in an oriental-cut dress and moving like a pagan witch; both singer and bass player looking like horror-movie-type Amish guys (also, have to mention that the vocalist had one of the best wide-trimmed hats I have seen in my life — tell me this doesn’t make you feel a little bit anxious by seeing this dark-amish-religion-related mysterious figure); and the drummer with glittery hat, something which reminded of Ginger Fish (ex-Manson drummer) during the Last Tour on Earth. It was a real warm up with plenty of lights, strong drum beats which one could feel running up from the floor through the legs and vocals in style of Tom Verlaine from Television but only much more metal, and overlooking the venue while holding hand above his eyes at the end of every song. Creating ritual, but not really satanic atmosphere, Årabrot gave their best and I give my both thumbs up to them — but not to the sound engineer. Maybe those who were further from the scene heard both lead and background vocals, but me, in the first line, not really.

When Årabrot left, the famous Manson podium from Antichrist Superstar era was brought on the stage and that’s when I became 100% sure that everything is going to be just as it should. Technicians worked as fast as they could, (maybe because Norway likes to keep it silent after 11pm, who knows) so in no time darkness fell upon the stage. The moment the man himself was shone over by the light, he began an old chant from Antichrist Superstar days: “We hate love, we love hate” which led into Irresponsible Hate Anthem — fueling up everyone to complete maximum from the very beginning. Was this concert still a concert to promote a new album or not, I cannot seem to find an answer, as, first of all, there is no “Heaven Upside Down tour” next to Manson’s name, and, second, it was only SAY10 and KILL4ME which were being played. Right after the first song, Manson said “Let’s bring back some good old rock and roll” with another AS song Angel with the Scabbed Wings. Completely amazed, if you ask me what I felt about it.

To analyze other songs which were played, there is no use because they are similar to Helsinki’s song list, but it is crystal as meth clear that Helsinki was the wrong time for him — though he said that they can break his legs, but can’t break his soul, the truth is, 50% of his soul is in his legs for sure. I am not even going to dig deeper into the topic of his behavior as it breaks the rules of ethics, but you can’t really put Manson in the same room with ethics when he has a show to do. One may say that him spitting nearly on the three young ladies wearing heart-shaped glasses was not okay, but maybe those girls will say that they will never ever wash their faces again? There is still a good deal of girls throwing their bras and panties on to the stage, making him stop a song with a question: “Hey, how can I continue if you throw a bra at me?” However, his shocking behavior has gotten just a little bit softer by now when being on the podium during Antichrist Superstar — no more Bibles to be torn to pieces. But, personally, that’s completely alright because the song and the podium itself is the highest point of the concert. The lightning bolt before the song was menacingly flashing in the dark letting everyone know that ‘Time has come it is quite clear/Our Antichrist is almost here’ and that he has never been gone.

A little bit more than an hour, show was ended with Cry Little Sister, soundtrack from the Lost Boys. After crying out his heart to an unknown little sister, Manson dropped the mic and left the stage, which made me understand that this is probably his typical way to end the concert — with no goodbyes or anything. With the light came Bowie’s Fashion out of speakers, technicians working as fast as possible and fans trying to catch him outside. Sadly, the Antichrist was in a bad mood after the show so the only thing fans caught was his black figure disappearing right into the bus.

Does it make Manson old or cocky/conceited that while he is standing still, tech/support guy dresses him in a jacket every time he has to have a different jacket? Or do all the superstars get this kind of care?

The answer is, I don’t care. I just don’t care. The only thing which I care about is that he is still moving, is alive and he tries (I hope) to do what he is created to do. I rate this 9/10 only because of rather short duration of the show. Maybe when I will do reviews more professionally by following specific guidelines, I will see more cons than pros, but, for now on, I’m fine with what I’ve experienced this time. Helsinki was just a misunderstanding, and you proved it right this time, Mr. Manson, I knew you would.