I don't remember the exact day but the event was memorable none the less.  You see my friend Tony Zunk is a big Marilyn Manson fan.  Originally we were going to see Motley Crue together but J.I. Joes Ticketmaster was out those tickets and then we noticed that Hole&Marilyn Manson tickets were on sale.  I noticed the opening act, Monster Magnet, a band whose Powertrip album had become a favorite of mine and a band that I really wanted to see live.  So I only half reluctantly shelled out the $35 to buy tickets to the show.  I don't know Hole's music that well, but I wanted to see Monster Magnet and as far as Marilyn Manson I guess it was just morbid curiosity about this "Antichrist Superstar" on my part and more importantly getting a chance to hang out with my friend Tony for a while.

So what did I think of the show?  Let's just put it this way, Marilyn Manson is an AWESOME entertainer, wearing outrageous outfits, employing plenty of theatrics and pyrotechnics into the show.  Did I mention that his band really rocked?  It sounded like a cross between Nine Inch Nails, Ministry and Kiss.  Manson puts on an excellent show, but I do NOT agree with his message.  I do like dark sadistic music, but when it comes to having an outright anti religious and pro drug message I draw the line.  I mean a person can put on an awesome show without having a burning cross on-stage, ripping up a bible and throwing it into the crowd or claiming that, "Jesus Christ invented Cocaine," all of which Mr. Manson chose to do.  These things kind of made me feel sick inside, kind of like if you had just cheated on your significant other.  Sure the action was great, but was it worth it?

In conclusion, I left with a heightened respect for Marilyn Manson's talents as an entertainer but saddened by the fact that he chose to express his pain and disillusionment in such a repulsive manner.