In the past, band members dressed in outlandish makeup and costumes, and engaged in intentionally shocking behavior both onstage and off. Their lyrics often received criticism for their anti-religious sentiment and references to sex, violence and drugs, while their live performances were frequently called offensive and obscene. On several occasions, protests and petitions led to the group being blocked from performing, with at least three US states passing legislation banning the group from performing at state-owned venues. They released a number of platinum-selling albums, including Antichrist Superstar (1996) and Mechanical Animals (1998). These albums, along with their highly stylized music videos and worldwide touring, brought public recognition to Marilyn Manson. In 1999, news media, infamously, falsely blamed the band for influencing the perpetrators of the Columbine High School massacre.
As this controversy began to wane throughout the 2000s, so did the band's mainstream popularity. Despite this, Jon Wiederhorn of MTV, in June 2003, referred to Marilyn Manson as "the only true artist today". Marilyn Manson is widely regarded as being one of the most iconic and controversial figures in rock music, with the band and its lead singer influencing numerous other groups and musicians, both in metal-associated acts and also in wider popular culture. VH1 ranked Marilyn Manson as the seventy-eighth best rock band on their 100 Great Artists of Hard Rock. They were inducted into the Kerrang! Hall of Fame in 2000, and have been nominated for four Grammy Awards. In the U.S., the band has seen ten of its releases debut in the top ten, including two number-one albums. Marilyn Manson have sold in excess of 50 million records worldwide.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marilyn_Manson_(band)
Studio albums
Portrait of an American Family (1994)
Antichrist Superstar (1996)
Mechanical Animals (1998)
Holy Wood (In the Shadow of the Valley of Death) (2000)
The Golden Age of Grotesque (2003)
Eat Me, Drink Me (2007)
The High End of Low (2009)
Born Villain (2012)
The Pale Emperor (2015)
Heaven Upside Down (2017)
We Are Chaos (2020)
Intro: Inauguration of the Mechanical Christ
Marilyn Manson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This isn't me, I'm not mechanical
This isn't me, I'm not mechanical
This isn't me, I'm not mechanical
The lyrics of Marilyn Manson's song "Inauguration Of The Mechanical Christ" appear to be a rejection of the idea of becoming a "mechanical" or robotic creature, suggesting that the author is uncomfortable with the idea of losing their humanity and becoming a tool or machine. The repetition of the phrase "This isn't me, I'm not mechanical" reinforces this idea, as though Manson is trying to hold onto or reclaim some aspect of his identity or individuality.
The song may also be interpreted as a commentary on the increasing technological advances in modern society and how they can sometimes feel dehumanizing, leading to a loss of connection with our own humanity and the world around us. The "inauguration" of the Mechanical Christ could be seen as a metaphor for the rise of technology as a new dominant power that threatens to erase what makes us human.
Overall, the lyrics suggest a desire for authenticity and a refusal to be reduced to mere machines. Manson seems to be calling for individuals to resist the pull of mass society and hold onto their individuality, no matter the cost.
Line by Line Meaning
This isn't me, I'm not mechanical
I am not a mindless machine, devoid of free will or independent thought. I am a human being, capable of feeling, thinking and making my own choices.
And I'm their whore, a non-believer
I am seen as a tool or pawn by those in power, who do not share my beliefs or values. I do not conform to their ideologies or agendas.
And every day is the dark one
I live in a constant state of despair and hopelessness, where every day feels like a struggle against oppression and evil forces.
And every night is a temptation
I am enticed by the lure of pleasure and escape from the harsh reality of my existence, but I know that giving in will only lead to my own downfall.
This is the Inauguration of the Mechanical Christ
This marks the beginning of a new era, where technology and conformity reign supreme, and individual identity and diversity are suppressed in favor of a homogenized society devoted to the worship of a false god.
And suffer for the guilt of man
I bear the burden of the sins and mistakes of humanity, even though I am not responsible for them. I am punished for the failures and shortcomings of others, and expected to atone for them.
And evermore we shall devour, the bitter taste of [their] souls
We, the oppressed and marginalized, will rise up and seek revenge against those who have wronged us. We will not be satisfied until we have tasted the bitterness of their own souls in retribution.
Lyrics ยฉ CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: BRIAN WARNER, JEORDIE WHITE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mark Alexander
Still in my top 5 concerts I've ever seen in my life.
He fucking had it all at one time. The last true Rock star in my opinion.
Seb Lav
Damn I like the energy I capture from that performance. "Scar, scar, can you feel my power", I feel it, from my child trauma because of an abusive crazy mother who she even pushed to death my father for having harrassing him for years after their divorce. I'm sober for years, having a good serotonin level without the need of drugs/pills/alcohol, the feelings are great listening to this music.
Alien O
Best motherfucking intro appearance in any performance history!
Julie Anderson
This is fkin wicked! I have been a manson fan since 95 and I have never seen this performance....thanks for posting this!
TheTomgunn
i remember going to this tour, it was one of the last show's of the tour because columbine happened like a few days before and it was before the started blaming manson, so it was in between
C
This is awesome!!!!!!!!!
Kamila Tomaczkowska
it's just perfect
James Jinkins
You like that dude?
Lucy Konrad
@James Jinkins "Like," is too weak of a word.
C. Bonรฉ
Around 1990 I created a metal-sculpture called the Mechanical Christ. It's a brass cube which opens into a cross. Iโm curious about โThe Inauguration of the Mechanical Christ.โ My sculpture was created in 1990. It was in an art retrospective film in the mid 90s, then uploaded to you tube in 2006. Any connection?