Released on 14th August 2026, via Nuclear Blast Records, was the second volume of Marilyn Manson’s One Assassination Under God. Titled One Assassination Under God – Chapter 2, the release marks Manson’s thirteenth studio album. The album was written and produced by both Marilyn Manson and former guitarist Tyler Bates, who also produced the previous album as well as The Pale Emperor and Heaven Upside Down. The first single released from the album was ‘Exit Wound’ on 12th June 2026, followed by ‘Front Toward Enemy’ on 17th July 2026. The album released a week before the Freaks on Parade Tour kicks off; a co-headlining tour with Rob Zombie across North America.
Marilyn Manson comments on the new album:
“I am proud to give you the second chapter of One Assassination Under God. This completes my story. I used each stone that was thrown at me to sharpen my edges. I outgrew purgatory and carved these songs into the skin of the world. As you listen I hope it forms a scar that you cannot forget”.
Personally, I can’t wait to get stuck into to One Assassination Under God – Chapter 2, as I felt that Chapter 1 was a raw and emotional, yet mature evolution for the Marilyn Manson sound. What strikes me before even listening however is the album’s artwork, which is a watercolour self-portrait that Manson created, just like for Chapter 1. The images that Manson has created strike as very similar to the personification of Death from the 1957 movie The Seventh Seal. On album release day, Manson opened a virtual art exhibition through his website titled One Assassination Under God, which explores an original collection of visual works accompanied with music that was created to go with each piece, with audio commentary also provided by Manson.
So, now we have the context of Chapter 2, let’s jump into my highlights from this album.
My first highlight track is album opener ‘Unalive’; the intro has an eerie feel to it, reminding me a bit of Freddie Krueger from The Nightmare On Elm Street. This track is unmistakable as a Marilyn Manson track, from the Gothic/Industrial blend of sound to Manson’s iconic screams and abstract yet gritty lyrics like “Stand in a circle, take out your sword, Now stab your right, Go around in a daisy chain until you’re all unalive”. The inspiration for this song is so clearly pulled from the nightmares of psychological horror and, as a fan, I’m right here for it.
The second highlight is recently released single ‘Front Toward Enemy’, which ominously takes its name from the infamously deadly Claymore mine. This track is outrageously heavy and Manson’s screaming vocals are absolutely to die for! The lyrics again are genius and fully showcase Manson’s talents as a songwriter, as he unflinchingly throws his point and feelings across. “Every rule that you made, Is comin’ back to break you, Everyone that you faked, Is now fuckin’ awake”; the meaning behind lyrics like this is very much a case of if you know, you know. Something I appreciated in this track is the nods back to early Marilyn Manson despite the evolved sound of the album overall; I found reminders of ‘The Reflecting God’ from 1996’s Antichrist Superstar here.
My third highlight is ‘Lucifer’s Teardrop’. The intro to this track has an old school sound to it, adding to the biblically inspired lyrics, which look to have been given a Luciferian garnish. The second verse of this track speaks to me most: “Now it’s time to stand before what shines, Join me in eternal, uncorrupted light, My love for you is blacker than a witch’s smile, One hand in the fire, one tongue in the ice, One last drink before we fight, Lucifer’s teardrop on my lips”. I just can’t get over how well constructed these lyrics are and how they so effectively convey an emotion and passion that is not easy to put into words.
My fourth and final highlight track has got to be the first released single ‘Exit Wound’. The track itself is quite easy to relate to Manson’s apparent “trial by media” and how he believes he has been made a scapegoat for various social issues throughout his career. You can clearly hear the whole trauma behind the experience for Manson, as he sings “Got the eyes of the vulture upon me, The whispering of leeches in my ear, Coroner ventriloquist, scratched his name across my wrist, Paparazzi’s starting to cheer” and “Pick me, I’m the one, the godforsaken one, I’m as empty as cadaver veins, Pick me, I’m the one, the godforsaken one, Pick me, I’m the one to blame”. Just words to some people, but to me they are screams of frustration and resignation. Again, the classic Marilyn Manson sound is here throughout this track, where I can hear throwbacks to both ‘Antichrist Superstar’ and ‘Angel with the Scabbed Wings’ from 1996.
All things considered, I found One Assassination Under God – Chapter 2 to be a brilliantly composed and intelligently written album, packed with pure anger and raw trauma that Manson needs the world to hear. The “purgatory” that Manson has been battling through is well known; it’s sad to see anyone struggle but it’s great to see him come out of the other end standing strong. Anyone who has seen a live Marilyn Manson show recently will know just how huge this is. The two chapters of One Assassination Under God are the uncensored story of that journey. I’m already looking forward to more from Marilyn Manson as, for me, this latest evolution has absolutely nailed that sweet spot between freshness and nostalgia.
MARILYN MANSON & ROB ZOMBIE Co-Headline Tour Dates w / THE HU & ORGY
Aug 20 – West Palm Beach, FL @ iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre ^+
Aug 21 – Tampa, FL @ MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre ^+
Aug 23 – Alpharetta, GA @ Ameris Bank Amphitheatre ^+
Aug 24 – Charlotte, NC @ Truliant Amphitheater ^+
Aug 26 – Holmdel, NJ @ PNC Bank Arts Center ^+
Aug 27 – Mansfield, MA @ Xfinity Center ^+
Aug 29 – Burgettstown, PA @ The Pavilion at Star Lake ^+
Aug 30 – Darien Center, NY @ Darien Lake Amphitheater ^+
Sep 1 – Toronto, ON @ RBC Amphitheatre ^+
Sep 2 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH @ Blossom Music Center ^+
Sep 4 – Clarkston, MI @ Pine Knob Music Theatre ^+
Sep 5 – Tinley Park, IL @ Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre ^+
Sep 6 – Noblesville, IN @ Ruoff Music Center ^+
Sep 9 – St. Louis, MO @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheater ^+
Sep 10 – Kansas City, MO @ Morton Amphitheater ^+
Sep 12 – Greenwood Village, CO @ Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre *^+
Sep 14 – West Valley City, UT @ Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre ^+
Sep 16 – Airway Heights, WA @ BECU Live at Northern Quest +
Sep 17 – Auburn, WA @ White River Amphitheatre ^+
Sep 18 – Ridgefield, WA @ Cascades Amphitheater ^+
Sep 20 – Concord, CA @ Toyota Pavilion at Concord ^+
* Not a Live Nation show
^ With The Hu
+ With Orgy