Marilyn Manson returns with a provocative album released on a dark historical anniversary
In short: Marilyn Manson’s twelfth studio album, One Assassination Under God – Chapter 1, arrived on November 22, 2024, exactly 61 years after the death of John F. Kennedy. Following years of legal battles and industry isolation, the record marks a defiant comeback, blending industrial metal roots with introspective, mature themes of societal decay.
The album was crafted primarily at The Abattoir in Los Angeles, with sessions spanning from April 2023 to April 2024. Produced by Manson and Tyler Bates, the record features instrumentation from drummer Gil Sharone, alongside contributions from Lola Colette and Maxwell Urasky. This release serves as the band's first project since 2020, arriving after a period where the vocalist faced multiple abuse allegations and subsequent civil lawsuits. While a four-year criminal investigation concluded without charges due to a lack of evidence and statute limitations, the fallout saw the band dropped by their management and label.
Musically, the record has been described as a fusion of industrial rock, gothic rock, and alternative metal. Critics have noted its sonic evolution, with some tracks drawing comparisons to the band's 1996 work Antichrist Superstar, while others lean into the atmospheric intensity of their 2000 album Holy Wood. The lyrics are explicitly reactive, addressing the media response to his personal controversies and exploring themes of betrayal, mortality, and religious hypocrisy. Manson’s own artwork for the cover—a watercolor self-portrait—further emphasizes these themes by incorporating imagery of grey aliens and the mug shot of Donald Trump.
Commercially, the album achieved notable success, reaching the top twenty in several European markets and debuting at number five on the Billboard Top Album Sales chart in the United States. In the United Kingdom, it peaked at number two on the UK Rock & Metal Albums chart. This performance triggered a debate regarding the Brit Awards’ eligibility criteria, as the organization faced criticism for including Manson despite his history of allegations. A spokesperson defended the decision, citing their commitment to legal due process and the objective measurement of musical impact through official chart data.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: One Assassination Under God – Chapter 1
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/culture-one-assassination-under-god-chapter-1.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in UK & Irish culture · More in Cultures · Latest · A–Z · All topics
