Connect with us

News

‘Antichrist Superstar’ Turns 20 This Month, Reissue Out October 20th

Published

on

Whether or not you’re a fan of his music, you’ve heard of Marilyn Manson. And more than likely, you’ve also heard some of his music on the radio. The opening percussive beat of “The Beautiful People” may help refresh your memory, in case you’re unsure. The song, included on the 1996 album Antichrist Superstar, marked a turning point in the artist’s career due to its success and controversy.

Marilyn Manson is the surname Brian Hugh Warner, the singer of the band – which, also happens to be called Marilyn Manson. The name came about from combining two opposites of pop culture, Marilyn Monroe and Charles Manson. The band was founded by Warner and guitarist Scott Putesky (better known as Daisy Berkowitz) as an artistic statement on the hypocrisy that the two found to be prevalent in the American Mainstream. Most notably would be the fixation on the serial killer and the pop star almost indiscriminately; something both fascinating and, to many, very sick.

The band was originally formed in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in 1989, originally being named Marilyn Manson and the Spooky Kids. Combining a heavy form of music while an outlandish stage show, Marilyn Manson began to quickly garner the attention of the public. Most importantly, they were able to catch the eye of Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor, who would go on to help produce the pivotal Antichrist Superstar album in 1996.

antichrist superstar Marilyn Manson

The music on the album, their second full-length after 1994’s Portrait of an American Family, would push the limits as to what American pop culture could handle much past their limits. Topics including violence, sex, and suicide, dominated the album, angering parents and elected officials all across the United States. The first single “The Beautiful People”, released on September 22nd, would feature one of the most iconic music videos of all time (directed by Italian filmmaker Floria Sigismondi) and undoubtedly helped kickstart the sales of the album upon its October 8th release. It would debut at number 3 on the Billboard charts, reportedly selling 132,000 copies the first week of its release.

Antichrist Superstar is a ripping, volatile piece of music that feels very much like a surrealistic nightmare in sonic form. Though there is much importance put into the fierce and shocking imagery of the band, there is just as much attention put into the music itself. This is not, in any way, a throwaway album; it’s an album strong enough to define both the band and the person of Marilyn Manson as a whole. It’s a heavily layered album, featuring a patchwork of noisy guitars, industrial overtones, and Manson’s immediately recognizable vocals to tie everything together.

antichrist superstar marilyn manson brian warner

As rebellious works generally go, there was an immediate opposition to the album by the conservative media. The topics contained within Antichrist Superstar and the band’s heavy anti-Christian outlook shook things up, to say the least. This only caused the popularity of the band to rise, which would continue until sometime in the mid-2000’s. It would seem that Marilyn Manson thrives on controversy, much like any truly rebellious artist. Manson would become one of the biggest things ever to come out of the 1990’s, and while he may not be as controversial as he was when Antichrist Superstar was released, that may be saying more about the sensitivity of the general public than the artist was ever able to say in his own words.

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the album, a special edition will be released on October 20th, containing a video that was created during the 1996/1997 world tour, which was at the time considered too shocking to be released. According to an interview with MetalInsider.net:

We’re putting out a box set on October 20th, and it has a legendary video that I had to put into a safe for the past 15 years, for reasons that will be revealed when you watch it. I had innocently thought that it was acceptable to use it as sort of a bonus feature on my Dead to the World video for the Antichrist Superstar tour. However, the legal department and my management informed me otherwise. But now it is going to be seen by all. I won’t say anything else to spoil it, just that it captured a moment in time, after I had just moved to Los Angeles. I was living with Twiggy and I had just come off a tour where I got death threats every day. It’s an interesting portrayal of what was happening at the time, but strangely, it doesn’t seem any different than the way I behave now, except that I’m wearing a cowboy hat. That’s about it.

Intriguing. We’ll have to wonder only a few more days until we can all find out what the video contains, but rest assured, the Marilyn Manson fans who have stuck with him since 1996 will be waiting with bated breath.

Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Lists

The Top-Searched Free Horror/Action Movies on Tubi This Week

Published

on

The free streaming service Tubi is a great place to scroll when you’re unsure what to watch. They are not sponsored or affiliated with iHorror. Still, we really appreciate their library because it’s so robust and has many obscure horror movies so rare you can’t find them anywhere in the wild except, if you’re lucky, in a moist cardboard box at a yard sale. Other than Tubi, where else are you going to find Nightwish (1990), Spookies (1986), or The Power (1984)?

We take a look at the most searched horror titles on the platform this week, hopefully, to save you some time in your endeavor to find something free to watch on Tubi.

Interestingly at the top of the list is one of the most polarizing sequels ever made, the female-led Ghostbusters reboot from 2016. Perhaps viewers have seen the latest sequel Frozen Empire and are curious about this franchise anomaly. They will be happy to know it’s not as bad as some think and is genuinely funny in spots.

So take a look at the list below and tell us if you are interested in any of them this weekend.

1. Ghostbusters (2016)

Ghostbusters (2016)

An otherworldly invasion of New York City assembles a pair of proton-packed paranormal enthusiasts, a nuclear engineer and a subway worker for battle.An otherworldly invasion of New York City assembles a pair of proton-packed paranormal enthusiasts, a nuclear engineer and a subway worker for battle.

2. Rampage

When a group of animals becomes vicious after a genetic experiment goes awry, a primatologist must find an antidote to avert a global catastrophe.

3. The Conjuring The Devil Made Me Do It

Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren uncover an occult conspiracy as they help a defendant argue that a demon forced him to commit murder.

4. Terrifier 2

After being resurrected by a sinister entity, Art the Clown returns to Miles County, where his next victims, a teenage girl and her brother, await.

5. Don’t Breathe

A group of teens breaks into a blind man’s home, thinking they’ll get away with the perfect crime but get more than they bargained for once inside.

6. The Conjuring 2

In one of their most terrifying paranormal investigations, Lorraine and Ed Warren help a single mother of four in a house plagued by sinister spirits.

7. Child’s Play (1988)

A dying serial killer uses voodoo to transfer his soul into a Chucky doll which winds up in the hands of a boy who may be the doll’s next victim.

8. Jeepers Creepers 2

When their bus breaks down on a deserted road, a team of high school athletes discovers an opponent they cannot defeat and may not survive.

9. Jeepers Creepers

After making a horrific discovery in the basement of an old church, a pair of siblings find themselves the chosen prey of an indestructible force.

Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

Continue Reading

News

Morticia & Wednesday Addams Join Monster High Skullector Series

Published

on

Believe it or not, Mattel’s Monster High doll brand has an immense following with both young and not-so-young collectors. 

In that same vein, the fan base for The Addams Family is also very large. Now, the two are collaborating to create a line of collectible dolls that celebrate both worlds and what they have created is a combination of fashion dolls and goth fantasy. Forget Barbie, these ladies know who they are.

The dolls are based on Morticia and Wednesday Addams from the 2019 Addams Family animated movie. 

As with any niche collectibles these aren’t cheap they bring with them a $90 price tag, but it’s an investment as a lot of these toys become more valuable over time. 

“There goes the neighborhood. Meet the Addams Family’s ghoulishly glamorous mother-daughter duo with a Monster High twist. Inspired by the animated movie and clad in spiderweb lace and skull prints, the Morticia and Wednesday Addams Skullector doll two-pack makes for a gift that’s so macabre, it’s downright pathological.”

If you want to pre-purchase this set check out The Monster High website.

Wednesday Addams Skullector doll
Wednesday Addams Skullector doll
Footwear for Wednesday Addams Skullector doll
Morticia Addams Skullector doll
Morticia Addams doll shoes
Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

Continue Reading

News

1994’s ‘The Crow’ Coming Back to Theaters for A New Special Engagement

Published

on

The Crow

Cinemark recently announced that they will be bringing The Crow back from the dead once again. This announcement comes just in time for the film’s 30th anniversary. Cinemark will be playing The Crow in select theaters on May 29th and 30th.

For those unaware, The Crow is a fantastic film based on the gritty graphic novel by James O’Barr. Widely considered one of the best films of the 90s, The Crow’s lifespan was cut short when Brandon Lee died of an accidental on set shooting.

The official synapsis of the film is as follows. “The modern-gothic original that entranced audiences and critics alike, The Crow tells the tale of a young musician brutally murdered alongside his beloved fiancée, only to be risen from the grave by a mysterious crow. Seeking revenge, he battles a criminal underground that must answer for its crimes. Adapted from the comic book saga of the same name, this action-packed thriller from director Alex Proyas (Dark City) features hypnotic style, dazzling visuals, and a soulful performance by the late Brandon Lee.”

The Crow

The timing of this release couldn’t be better. As a new generation of fans eagerly awaits the release of The Crow remake, they can now see the classic film in all of its glory. As much as we love Bill Skarsgard (IT), there is something timeless in Brandon Lee’s performance in the film.

This theatrical release is part of the Scream Greats series. This is a collaboration between Paramount Scares and Fangoria to bring audiences some of the best classic horror films. So far, they are doing a fantastic job.

That’s all the information we have at this time. Make sure to check back here for more news and updates.

Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

Continue Reading