Arena Rock: Marilyn Manson review
Marilyn Manson Save-on-Foods Centre, Sept. 8
Controversial debutant rock demon Marilyn Manson recently summoned himself on stage in Victoria, but the crowd was the main attraction.
Cleavage pored over tightly tied corsets, bum cheeks lurked under short skirts and waved hello, and boots were laced up to the knees over fishnet stockings. It seemed like the place was going to explode into a pagan orgy before Manson even hit the stage.
In the stands, bikers handed out high fives to drunk goth kids as they headbanged together before the music even started.
When Manson made his appearance in front of pounding strobe lights and pulsating beats, his hardcore fans up front went wild. He thanked them by spraying beer and spit all over their eager faces, and then bounced the empty bottle off a security guard’s head.
Manson slugged himself across the stage wearing scrotum-hugging leather pants. He looked tired. He looked fat. But maybe he’s pregnant with the Antichrist.
His voice was, expectantly, auto-tuned, but his band was tight. The music rocked hard and got the crowd moving.
The stage show was smaller than expected—no fireworks, no blood sacrifices, and very little banter with the crowd. They projected upside-down crosses, burnt a prop bible, and flooded the stage with fog, but nothing echoed with any of the controversy that followed Manson around 10 years ago.
Government officials used to call for a ban on his music, the religious right protested outside the venues he played, but now all his shock tactics look contrived and silly.
Regardless, his fans at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre dressed up, danced, and hailed their dark chief of rock.
CCSS Nexus promo
