The Column Of Musical Knowledge #2

I'd like to begin this review by apologizing for my lateness with the concert review. To my few readers I would like to take the time to say "Thank You."
You know who you are!! So J, T & W...Without you I might just give up this whole crap shoot...and Hugh, if you're out there, thanks for not forgetting about me...

Now, on with the review...

On 25 Aug. 2007 I was fortunate enough to be an invited guest to the Marilyn Manson/Slayer show. Having already made my opinion VERY clear in my previous review of Mr. Manson's "Eat Me, Drink Me" (see 24Aug07 post) I wont get into particulars about the album. But I will share some thoughts and observations about both Slayer and Marilyn Manson...

When we arrived at the show Bleeding Through was already done and gone from the stage. I was slightly disappointed as I believe they are a group that deserves to be heard. But I will talk more about that in a future column.

I got my beer and proceeded to head to the floor. One of the perks of being on the "guest list" was that we could stand in the sound booth and watch the show.

For Slayer I had to be "in the middle" of it all. So as soon as the music started I
sucked down my beer and headed out.

My first impression of Slayers set was"UGGHH". The sound was terrible. Imagine someone playing really loud, aggressive music through 3000$ monitors...but then they put a cardboard box over the top of them. So I headed to the front to "hear" what I could hear. Boy what a difference that made! Having seen Slayer MANY years ago I knew what to expect. Aggressive, clean sound, flailing bodies and flying sweat. What I got was aggressive, clean sound, flying sweat and a weak pit. I'm 38 yrs old but I STILL enjoy the pit. I watched teenagers run from it like it was the plague. The few who did take part were there and gone. Wake up San Diego! This is hard core music NOT Guy Lomardo!!

As you can see from the set list below it was a great little show. The highlights for me were Jihad, Raining Blood and Seasons In The Abyss. The energy seemed to pick up with these cuts and Slayer proved that they can still bring it to the front and keep us wanting more. I STILL don't understand why they opened for Mr. Manson...A topic for another day..

After a short intermission Mr. Manson, Mr. Sköld and company made their way out.

The fans were on their feet swaying and screaming with unbridled energy. The first thing I noticed was the sound. MUCH better then Slayer. So I made my way back to the booth to take in the spectacle that is a "Manson" show. It was during the song, You And Me And The Devil Makes 3, that I took a really good look at the auditorium.
VERY SAD San Diego! The auditorium was maybe 70% full. Thats too bad because this was a show that deserved to be seen. Mr. Sköld was in top form. His driving sound and relentless pursuit of the next bridge is a show unto itself. It makes me wonder, why is he still playing sideman for Mr. Manson?...

(On a side note check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Skold for more info.)

Being assaulted with hard, relentless sound, well placed and subdued lighting was just what I needed to kick off the next song that blew me away, Heart Shaped Glasses. With it's early 80's sound and 21st century stage production I was duly impressed. These guys were putting on a great little gig!!

I hadn't seen anything yet!!

Soon the podium came out and Mr. Manson really started to get it done. He shared his personal little hell with us during, "Putting Holes Into Happiness" and asked us to come along for the ride as he told us about, "The Beautiful People." The show came to a close on those notes and I was left wondering about the future of Mr. Manson and Mr. Sköld. Can they, and will they continue to co-exist? Or is the stage too small for two such bright lights? Only time will tell, but I'll be watching and listening...

And if you have any questions about the "Post-Concert" bash please email me and I let you in on the little adventure.

Until next time kids,

S~

Set List - 25Aug07 San Diego Ca.

Slayer:

01. Flesh Storm
02. War Ensemble
03. Chemical Warfare
04. Cult
05. Threshold
06. Disciple
07. Payback
08. Jihad
09. Seasons In The Abyss
10. South Of Heaven
11. Raining Blood
12. Mandatory Suicide
13. Angel Of Death

Marilyn Manson:

01. Intro
02. If I Was Your Vampire
03. You And Me And The Devil Makes 3
04. Disposable Teens
05. Mobscene
06. Irresponsible Hate Anthem
07. Sweet Dreams/Lunchbox Medley
08. Just A Car Crash Away
09. Heart Shaped Glasses
10. Rock Is Dead
11. The Dope Show
12. Putting Holes Into Happiness
13. The Love Song
14. The Fight Song
15. The Beautiful People