Album: The Pale Emperor

Introduction
"The Pale Emperor" is the ninth studio album by American rock band Marilyn Manson, launched on January 15, 2015, through Hell, etc, Loma Vista and Cooking Vinyl. The album marks a change in the band's noise and image, moving far from their earlier industrial rock design to a more blues-based rock noise. "The Pale Emperor" got prevalent important recognition upon release, with numerous critics considering it an imaginative resurgence for Marilyn Manson after a string of inadequately received albums. The album includes guest looks from artists such as Tyler Bates, Gil Sharone, and Twiggy Ramirez and generated 3 songs: "Third Day of a Seven Day Binge", "Deep Six" and "Cupid Carries a Gun".

Background and Recording
"The Pale Emperor" was taped in 2014 after Marilyn Manson's previous album, "Born Villain" (2012), which got blended evaluations from critics. In an interview with Revolver magazine, Manson described "Born Villain" as the very first part of a "trilogy", with "The Pale Emperor" serving as its 2nd installment. The album's title was influenced by German thinker Friedrich Nietzsche, who referred to thinkers as "pale animals" and emperors as "masters of life".

The recording process for "The Pale Emperor" was a departure from previous Marilyn Manson albums, generally due to the participation of movie author Tyler Bates. Bates co-wrote the album's songs with Manson and functioned as the album's producer, bringing a cinematic quality to its noise. The album was mainly tape-recorded at Bates' house studio in Los Angeles and other areas in the city. Throughout the recording process, Manson and Bates try out numerous instruments, such as the mellotron and the bowed guitar, which added to the album's distinctive sound.

Music and Lyrics
In regards to musical style, "The Pale Emperor" is a departure from Marilyn Manson's earlier commercial rock roots, including a more blues-based rock sound with a raw and gritty edge. A number of the album's tracks include sluggish, heavy, and dark environments, with aspects of gothic rock, and even some traces of country music music. The influence of artists such as David Bowie, Leonard Cohen, and Nick Cave can be heard throughout the album, including a new layer to Manson's standard shock rock style.

Lyrically, "The Pale Emperor" is a more introspective and personal work compared to Manson's previous releases. The album explores themes of relationships, self-destructive habits, and death. A lot of the tunes contain autobiographical elements, such as Manson's battles with dependency and his tumultuous previous relationships.

Reception and Legacy
Upon its release, "The Pale Emperor" got prevalent vital acclaim. Numerous critics applauded the album's new blues-based rock noise and considered it an imaginative renewal for Manson after a series of weaker albums. The album was an industrial success, peaking at number eight on the Billboard 200 chart and selling over 45,000 copies in its very first week of release.

"The Pale Emperor" has actually come to be considered a high point in Marilyn Manson's profession and a clear juncture for the band, which found renewed inspiration and success after its release. The album's influence can be heard in Manson's subsequent work, consisting of "Heaven Upside Down" (2017) and "WE ARE CHAOS" (2020), which continue to explore the bluesy, speculative sound first presented in "The Pale Emperor".

In conclusion, "The Pale Emperor" is a crucial and essential album in Marilyn Manson's discography, representing an innovative rebirth and a successful departure from their previous noise. The album's ingenious blend of blues-based rock, gothic environments, and introspective lyrics has actually resonated with both fans and critics alike, securing its place as one of the band's standout works.
The Pale Emperor Cover

Artist: Marilyn Manson

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