Touted as a “riotous road show,” the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival has a slew of bands criss-crossing the country. Now in its sophomore year, the tour rolled into the White River Amphitheater in Auburn, a nice outdoor venue described as “a mini Gorge.” Tons of bands were on the bill: Marilyn Manson, Slayer, Bullet For My Valentine, Cannibal Corpse, and Black Dahlia Murder (to name a few). But we were there to see the closer of the night, Marilyn Manson.
Pre-show checklist for Marilyn Manson:
1. Tickets…check!
2. Boots (in case I get caught in a mosh pit)…check!
3. T-Shirt of cool band (not on the bill)…check!
4. Camera…check!
5. Friend Jack (to buy gas)…check!
6. Adrenaline…check!
7. Marilyn Manson CD for drive down…check!
We were “go” for Marilyn Manson, or at least that’s what we thought. Arriving at the venue fashionably late, we saw many people walking in the opposite direction that we were. Could the show be over? Why would Manson go on before the sun went down? Turns out, they were in between bands and we had gotten there in time.
The place was eerily quiet as we were patted down by security. Like incubi and succubi drawn to a satanic mating call, the beer gardens emptied as the throbbing bass beat from Dave Lombardo’s drum kit launched into Slayer’s “Darkness Of Christ.” Their set was loud, fast, and unforgiving as hardcore fans were treated to some deep album cuts like “Born Of Fire” and “Ghost Of War.” We weren’t there to see Slayer, however, we were there to see Marilyn @#$*% Manson!
We decided to take a break and hit up the beer garden. I knew the beer wasn’t going to be cheap. I thought that maybe I would get a nice chunk of change back if I handed the beer wench a $10 bill. I did get change . . . a $1 bill! My 16 oz. can of beer was $9! Every time I took a swig, I was drinking a dollar! Adding insult to injury, a bag of Skittles or M&M’s set you back $4! But I digress. It was a nice night, I had good company, and we were about to go and watch one of my favorite bands.
The stage was covered in a black scrim as red lights pulsated behind it. The “show’s about to start” lighting was whipping the crowd into a froth. The intro music always seems to take forever, when in actuality, it’s probably a minute or less. All of a sudden the house lights were killed and the scrim dropped (a clichéd rock concert device, I know, but I never tire of it). Marilyn Manson bounded onto the stage . . . or did he? I could hear Manson, but I couldn’t see him. The smoke machine were working overtime or the ventilation system decided to take a break just as Manson was starting his show. I thought, “OK, that’s cool, the smoke will go away.”
When I was first introduced to Marilyn Manson, I would play Antichrist Superstar non-stop. Whether I was driving in the car or walking down the street, I would be listening to raw anger and rage. Marilyn Manson made you want to hate everything around you. This is what got me so excited to see him live. Feeling what I felt years ago with Antichrist Superstar.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t the case. Maybe it was the perfect storm of him not wanting to be there, the microphone screwing up numerous times and the amount of smoke that followed him around the stage that contributed to the downward spiral of the show following the opening “We’re From America.” From that point, it seemed that Manson had given up . . . both in energy and vocals.
Everybody has an off-night. But as the night went on, it was becoming more and more apparent. The set list was a mere hour long and just contained the “hits.” At one point, Manson announced that he was going “old school” and launched into “Tourniquet,” “Rock Is Dead,” and “The Dope Show.” Before I got to the show, I was thinking about how awesome the songs were going to sound live (“Rock Is Dead” being one of my favorites). Musically, the songs sounded fine, but nothing really blew me out of my seat.
Supporting Manson’s new release The High End Of Low, a couple of cuts made it to the set list: “Four Rusted Horses” and “Arma-Goddamn-Motherfuckin-Geddon.” But the audience was there to hear the old stuff, which happened in an encore of “The Beautiful People” and “Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This).”
Marilyn Manson turned 40 years old this year, and sadly, it showed.
Bottom line: I’m glad I got to see Marilyn Manson live. It’s been crossed off my “bucket list.” Would I pay good money to see him again? Probably not.
DOWNLOAD: Marilyn Manson - Rock Is Dead (MP3) or Follow us for more Marilyn Manson MP3s (Twitter)
Deastro + Max Tundra - 11/27
Doug Fir
Morrissey + Doll and the Kicks - 11/30
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Passion Pit - 12/7
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Thanks for sharing a great post about them. i really enjoyed reading
by Tuxedos on Tue Nov 24, 2009 at 04.39 am from the entry: My Brightest Diamond + Clare & the Reasons - Berklee Performance Center (Boston, MA; June 20, 2008)
this may be your best review yet, colin. and that includes the pixies and modest mouse pieces. nice work! i’m also digging these photos.
by josh on Mon Nov 23, 2009 at 04.54 pm from the entry: Girls + Dominant Legs - Doug Fir (Portland, OR; Nov. 18, 2009)
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by xuzswssijj on Mon Nov 23, 2009 at 03.19 pm from the entry: Esperanza Spalding - Gordon Theatre (Camden, NJ; Feb. 21, 2009)
GREAT review!!! Love that 2nd picture up there as well.
by Siri on Mon Nov 23, 2009 at 02.45 pm from the entry: Girls + Dominant Legs - Doug Fir (Portland, OR; Nov. 18, 2009)
Yeah, perfect lineup, except for the whole Spoon thing.
by Ari on Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 11.40 am from the entry: Spoon Tour Dates
I’ve read the book ‘Dream Boogie’ the life and time of Sam Cooke’ If the movie is as good as the book, Sam Cooke will get the respect that he has been deserving of for many years.
by jed on Sat Nov 21, 2009 at 10.39 pm from the entry: Sam Cooke to get a movie
oh, that just made my Saturday a little more absurdly beautiful.
favorite moment- when the bear was caught in a stick up
by Ian on Sat Nov 21, 2009 at 01.58 pm from the entry: Charlotte Gainsbourg and Beck's "Heaven Can Wait"
Alright, so what do you mean by “ Marilyn Manson turned 40 years old this year, and sadly, it showed. “ ?
I believe there is more going on than just him getting older.
Keith Richards, Bono… are older than MM, for instance.
You’re right Steve,age doesn’t fucking matter, as long as you still rock it! For instance,James Hetfield? I grew up listening to metallica they still rock. Old school rocks harder!!!!!!!!!