Under The Influence #78: I Am Pariah on “Mechanical Animals” by Marilyn Manson!

Following the success of 1996’s breakthrough album “Antichrist Superstar” the pressure was very much on for Marilyn Manson to create a worthy successor. The decision to leave behind some of the abrasive and aggressive Industrial edge and to build in a bit more Glam Rock might have seemed on paper at least to be a high risk strategy but the sounds sits well with an album that lyrically primarily deals with the trappings of fame and drug abuse. “Rock Is Dead” appeared on the soundtrack to The Matrix in 1999, playing out as the credit run through while singles “I Don’t Like the Drugs (But the Drugs Like Me)” and “The Dope Show” got the attention with music videos that were edgy and took risks…

I Am Pariah comment:

“An album that has influenced the band as a whole would definitely be ‘Mechanical Animals’ by Marilyn Manson. We are huge fans of Manson, and the whole soundscape on that album is just perfect. I remember when the album came out in the September of 98 and going straight to my local record shop to pick up the CD, the artwork combined with the blue cd case was unlike anything I’d seen before. Manson channeling his inner Glam Rock/ T Rex side was a different approach to his previous albums and the keyboard work in that album just adds this spacey sounding layer that really brings the tracks to life” – Dave

“For me the experimental sound of ‘Mechanical Animals’ puts this up there as Manson’s greatest work. When we write and record our material we always like to approach things differently to keep it fresh, and this album is a reminder to never be afraid to experiment with your sound and tone. I’m also a big fan of stage theatrics and shock rock and this has it all in leaps and bounds. Just when you thought things couldn’t get more weird we have that iconic album art and hits such as “The Dope Show” & “Rock Is Dead” – Steve

“The album that taught us that even being at the opposite end of ‘different’ is ok. I don’t think anyone saw Manson going from the Anti-Christ Superstar, to police kissing in pink uniforms. It’s a reminder to me as an artist that you don’t need to follow trends to make an impact. Creating something fresh and unpredictable is always a gamble, but it’s a lot of fun. ‘Mechanical Animals’ is also an inspiration for me in terms of concept. On the surface it’s an amazing sounding album with stunning, yet shocking visuals.  But if you scratch a bit deeper you can find secret messages from cover art to secret CD-ROM features, which extend on the concept of the album. It’s my favourite from Manson’s ‘triptych’ of albums, and to even think that Anti-Christ Superstar, Mechanical Animals, and Holywood connect together, blows my mind even further.” – Ben