“Shock rock” has been around since the fifties with SCREAMIN’ JAY HAWKINS, Arthur Brown and then moving on to bands such as ALICE COOPER, KISS and GWAR, among a wide array of side shows. When reaching the demonic side of shock rock you have to include bands such as KING DIAMOND and GORGOROTH but unlike the others MARILYN MANSON is completely diverse in mixing good rock n’ roll with catchy hooks and yet adding a bit of vulgar, never seen antics.

dmit Mr. Manson has your attention and at times can make your skin crawl.

With his new release “The High End Low”, produced by Manson, Vrenna and Twiggy, that was recorded in Manson's Hollywood Hills studio has 15 influential tunes. Manson also released the CD in five different versions. Can you say cha-ching?

Starting the disc off is a great mind-bending tune called “Devour” that hits a high note during the chorus showing off the excellent vocals of Manson that many bypass as subpar. Excellent!

Regardless of lyrics you must know the knowledge of music and many of the youth take advantage of the repulsive lyrics and obscene words but the hard core music fans will be attracted by the genius of MARILYN MANASON’s writing style, especially during the hooks in the chorus, this guy knows music theory and if you dare to listen to “The High End Low” you might even like the guy. I was never big on Manson, all I remember is the track “Beautiful People” but check out “Four Rusted Horses” and the tantalizing acoustic work by Twiggy Ramirez…

You can tell from the first note “Arma-goddamn-motherfuckin-geddon” is classic Manson at his best. A track you will never hear on the air-waves but I am sure fans will be blasting this one worldwide and I am sure with the lyrics there will be plenty of citations given out to bust the nuts of our youth.

Manson blows me away with this incredible ballad “Running To The Edge Of The World”. All those doubters out there check this tune out because all those haters of Manson this one can change and soften your heart to reap an amazing tune.

Another great tune is “Unkillable Monster” that jumps a level in excitement and once again the driving force is the chorus and the memorizing guitar work of Twiggy Ramirez.

“Into The Fire” is just another genius star-studded tune that hits the belly of hell-dwellers bringing them to ecstasy on this ballad, The guitar work is reminiscent of early Cooper and Manson is just perfection. I loved the piano by Chris Vrenna on this one.

All in all this is an amazing CD, many who are repulsed by MARILYN MANSON and his lyrics and image should smile and give “The High End Low” a chance. You would give up on some stinky pussy would ya?