Marilyn Manson: Don’t censor my music

By Scott Munro
( Metal Hammer )
published

Marilyn Manson is angry that his label suggested he release a censored version of his new album Heaven Upside Down so it could be sold in US chain Walmart

Marilyn Manson
Marilyn Manson (Image credit: Getty)

Marilyn Manson has expressed his anger at label bosses who suggested he release a censored version of his upcoming new album Heaven Upside Down.

The follow-up to 2015’s The Pale Emperor will arrive on October 6 and has so far produced the singles We Know Where You Fucking Live and KILL4ME.

In a new interview with The Guardian, Manson once again talks about the impact the 1999 Columbine massacre had on his career and goes on to reveal that Heaven Upside Down “is about confidence, of fucking believing in yourself more than ever, which is something I may have lost along the road.”

As for the suggestion that the new album be censored so it could be sold at US chain Walmart, Manson says: “It denies the legitimacy of it. If your parents give you money to buy a clean version of my record at Walmart, you might as well go there, buy a gun instead, take it into your own hands, do whatever you want.”

Manson’s father died earlier this year, just a few days before the shock rocker headed out on tour. And he’s explained why he refused to cancel shows as a result.

He says: “My dad would have hated me for that. He’d have kicked me in the dick. He would want me to be the best I could be right now. That’s what he raised me to be.

“Dad was a fucking fighter, a killer in Vietnam, but he was not a quitter – he just didn’t want to be here any more. He didn’t give up, he just wanted to be with my mom, and I respected him for that.

“So I wouldn’t miss a gig. It was not easy – I had to go see him a week before we went on tour. It was tough, but it made me stronger.”

Manson will resume his live dates later this month. Find further details below.

Heaven Upside Down is available for pre-order.

Marilyn Manson Heave Upside Down tracklist

  1. Revelation #12
  2. Tattooed In Reverse
  3. We Know Where You Fucking Live
  4. SAY10
  5. KILL4ME
  6. Saturnalia
  7. JE$U$ CRI$I$
  8. Blood Honey
  9. Heaven Upside Down
  10. Threats Of Romance

Marilyn Manson 2017 tour dates

Sep 27: Silver Spring The Fillmore, MD
Sep 29: Pittsburgh Stage AE, PA
Sep 30: New York Hammerstein Ballroom, NY
Oct 02: Boston House of Blues, MA
Oct 03: Huntington The Paramount, NY
Oct 05: Toronto Rebel, ON
Oct 08: Columbus Express Live!, OH
Oct 10: Chicago Riviera Theatre, IL
Oct 11: Milwaukee Eagles Ballroom, WI
Oct 17: Tulsa Brady Theater, OK
Oct 19: Denver Fillmore Auditorium, CO
Oct 20: Salt Lake City The Complex, UT
Oct 23: Oakland Fox Theater, CA
Oct 27: Las Vegas House of Blues, NV
Oct 28: Las Vegas House of Blues, NV
Nov 05: San Bernardino Knotfest, California
Dec 04: Manchester O2 Apollo
Dec 05: Glasgow O2 Academy
Dec 06: Wolverhampton Civic Hall
Dec 08: Newport Centre
Dec 09: London SSE Arena Wembley

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Scott Munro
Scott Munro
Louder e-commerce editor

Scott has spent 35 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in the summer of 2014 before moving to the e-commerce team in 2020. Scott keeps Louder’s buyer’s guides up to date, writes about the best deals for music fans, keeps on top of the latest tech releases and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more. Over the last 10 years, Scott has written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, the Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald newspapers, covering everything from daily news and weekly features, to tech reviews, video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.