Marilyn Manson was quite a big influence on my teenage years. Sure, I enjoyed the music plenty but more than that he was a symbol of my own rebellion against the environment I was growing up in. He was in opposition to everything I had been brought up to think and was everything I was told I shouldn’t be.

I remember, as the terribly lonely teen goth that I was, that I wanted nothing more in the world than to crash a house party with my army of fellow miscreants just like Marilyn did in his video for ‘Tainted Love’. All that being said, I’ve never been to a Manson show… until now!

Supporting Manson is DJ Amazonica, AKA Dirty Harry. Now, I was all ready to dismiss having a DJ instead of a band as support as a terrible idea but to be honest I find myself enjoying it. I probably would have enjoyed it a whole lot more in a club at about 2am after a load of Jager shots. She played a range of hits from the likes of Nine Inch Nails, Nirvana, Sepultura, The Doors, T-Rex and Black Sabbath. ACDC’s ‘Back In Black’ was particularly well received following Malcolm Young’s recent death. Manson fans are a diverse bunch and a DJ was a bit of fun which probably was the best way to cater to those broad tastes.

A curtain screens the stage for a long changeover. The anticipation is high for whatever Manson has in store for this sold out crowd. When the curtain finally drops and opening track, ‘Revelation #12’ from Manson’s latest album ‘Heaven Upside Down’ begins. Smoke completely fills the stage, obscuring everything. I search for my first glimpse of Manson; who can be heard but not seen. When the smoke finally settles, he is revealed, riding a pimped out electric wheelchair resembling a gothic throne.

Manson’s latest tour has been beset by mishaps and he’s got a broken leg to show for it. The entire stage show tonight is designed around the fact that Manson’s dexterity is hindered by this injury. He has two helpers on stage at all times, dressed as surgeons, who tend to Manson after each track; helping him with costume changes and to attach a metal peg leg that he hobbles around on for the majority of the show. You’ve just got to love the way he embraces this impediment and turns it to his advantage. Say what you like about Manson; he is an expert entertainer.

Now, I’ve heard that Manson’s performances can be a bit hit and miss (mostly miss) but in Wolverhampton, at least, he remains pretty solid throughout. I spend the entire show in a state of complete delight. I thoroughly enjoy reliving the past with some of my favourite tracks, such as; ‘This Is The New Shit’, ‘Disposable Teens’ and ‘The Beautiful People’. The tracks from this year’s album ‘Heaven Upside Down’, which until tonight I hadn’t checked out, are surprisingly great too. I particularly enjoyed ‘Kill4Me’… and haven’t been able to get it out of my head since. Pretty impressive for a track I’d not heard before tonight.

All in all it’s been an excellent evening of entertainment and nostalgia. I leave the venue very satisfied, my respect for Manson and my enjoyment of his music reinvigorated.

Rating 4.5 out of 5

Setlist

• Revelation #12
• This Is The New Shit
• Disposable Teens
• mOBSCENE
• Kill4Me
• Deep Six
• Third Day of a Seven Day Binge
• The Dope Show
• Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of These)
• Great Big White World
• We Know Where You Fucking Live
• Say10
• The Beautiful People
• Irresponsible Hate Anthem