Born Villain
by Marilyn Manson
  • Record Label: Downtown
  • Release Date: May 1, 2012
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 118 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 82 out of 118
  2. Mixed: 26 out of 118
  3. Negative: 10 out of 118
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  1. DJCJISTHA1
    May 17, 2012
    10
    Although critics were overly savaging on the previous 2 releases (Eat Me Drink Me and High End Of Low - which I could definitely appreciate as a MM Fan) I feel this album is a lot more accessible to other than the die hard fans. Highlights include Overneath the Path of Misery, Slo-mo-tion (Pink Floyd's Learning to Fly anyone??),, the Flowers of Evil, Children of Cain, Murderers areAlthough critics were overly savaging on the previous 2 releases (Eat Me Drink Me and High End Of Low - which I could definitely appreciate as a MM Fan) I feel this album is a lot more accessible to other than the die hard fans. Highlights include Overneath the Path of Misery, Slo-mo-tion (Pink Floyd's Learning to Fly anyone??),, the Flowers of Evil, Children of Cain, Murderers are getting Prettier and the title track along with first single No Refection bring together enough rock, contention along with the underlying Marilyn campness echoing aspects of Mechanical Animals to interest and influence both fans and newcomers alike - start from track 1 and play - welcome back! 9/10… Expand
  2. JesseKane
    May 5, 2012
    10
    Such an amazing album.. give it a listen and sometime ot get into the songs. I would say it was like the first time I heard Mechanical Animals. Way better then the past 3 albums.
  3. Henry75
    May 15, 2012
    9
    This is the best Marilyn Manson album since Antichrist Superstar. Dynamic musically, great lyrics, intense feeling. Critics that dis this album are just hollow.
  4. MathewManson
    Dec 30, 2012
    7
    Born Villain has been quoted as "Marilyn Manson's comeback!" by many people, and in many ways--it really is. Manson never really left, though his way of writing had changed completely back in 2003 with his release "The Golden Age of Grotesque". Focusing more on his personal life in relation to his lovers, Manson has been not as controversial and shocking as he had been in the past. TheBorn Villain has been quoted as "Marilyn Manson's comeback!" by many people, and in many ways--it really is. Manson never really left, though his way of writing had changed completely back in 2003 with his release "The Golden Age of Grotesque". Focusing more on his personal life in relation to his lovers, Manson has been not as controversial and shocking as he had been in the past. The change from 2003 up until Born Villain released this year (2012) wasn't a bothersome to me at all--the new direction and style was something I enjoyed. Born Villain is a comeback in the context that he has returned to his former form which was involved with his music and song writing. The problem is that it's still not as amazing as his previous work where the focus was to be controversial and to stir people up with his art--while the previous albums with the opposite direction were still top-quality and much better than this album to an extent. Born Villain is nothing special musically, nor really lyrically. It sounds nothing like what he has done before, though the lyrics will remind you of Holy-Wood throughout the album. Expect something absolutely stunning for his next release (may there be one). Marilyn Manson is back to his old self, though Born Villain is not the comeback album--it's Manson who has had the comeback.… Expand
  5. Lundra
    May 2, 2012
    10
    This is easily his best album since Mechanical Animals. With hard metal rock and divine lyrics that quote shakespear and greek mythology, Manson is truly an artist once again.

    There's not a single track that I don't enjoy.
  6. rshires
    May 2, 2012
    10
    Absolutely an incredible album all the way through. I think it is his best album since Holywood. The album felt more natural than the last two outings It never seemed like he was trying too hard which on the last two albums it always felt that way. Definitely at the top of his game once more.
  7. threestain
    May 4, 2012
    10
    nice and dirty feeling album that recaptures the essential MM spirit. feels nice and risqué again. makes a return to intrigue and interest away from simple motifs.
  8. jamald
    May 2, 2012
    8
    A definite improvement over The High End of Low. There's some good catchy tracks on here, several very fast and heavy ones, and lots in between. I was going to compare it to one of his past albums, but it sounds pretty unique. I've heard people saying it's the best since Holy Wood, but I wouldn't go that far. I think Holy Wood had much more depth lyrically and was overall a better album,A definite improvement over The High End of Low. There's some good catchy tracks on here, several very fast and heavy ones, and lots in between. I was going to compare it to one of his past albums, but it sounds pretty unique. I've heard people saying it's the best since Holy Wood, but I wouldn't go that far. I think Holy Wood had much more depth lyrically and was overall a better album, but if you're one of those people who was disappointed with the last 3 albums, you'll probably find this one pretty refreshing.… Collapse
  9. Ziggster
    May 2, 2012
    8
    Definitely a leg up from his 2 previous albums. Born Villain contains some of his best (and heaviest) tracks to date, if I say so myself. A lot of people thought he was dead and gone, but this album says otherwise and proves them wrong. Perhaps his best work since Holy Wood.
  10. robbym
    May 2, 2012
    10
    Marilyn Manson has a critical yet tastefully base appeal. This is the foundation of Mansonâ
  11. TheMasterOfCD
    Jun 5, 2012
    10
    This maybe because we do not expect anything after The High End of Low (2009), the fact remains that the glam-rock-metal Born Villain is really engaging. No Reflection drawn, Pistol Whipped, Slo-Mo-Tion and The Gardener, songs injected with goth-industrial dance rhythms, BV is not a homecoming, but a return to form for Manson. If it is equal to himself in his lyrics - sex, blood andThis maybe because we do not expect anything after The High End of Low (2009), the fact remains that the glam-rock-metal Born Villain is really engaging. No Reflection drawn, Pistol Whipped, Slo-Mo-Tion and The Gardener, songs injected with goth-industrial dance rhythms, BV is not a homecoming, but a return to form for Manson. If it is equal to himself in his lyrics - sex, blood and violence are his favorite themes - he opts for the show to pique curiosity. Indeed, Johnny Depp collaborated on You're So Vain (Carly Simon), inserted at the end of album to make people forget that BV has several redundant bits (Children of Cain, Disengaged).… Expand
  12. ECD80
    May 29, 2012
    8
    Redirect to this page for better reviews of the album. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Born_Villain) Metacritic only seems to want to post the bad reviews of albums lately. This is a great and solid album from Marilyn Manson! Makes me want to go back and listen to the last two and give them another chance! Manson have never gotten the recognition he deserves but lucky he doesn't care aboutRedirect to this page for better reviews of the album. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Born_Villain) Metacritic only seems to want to post the bad reviews of albums lately. This is a great and solid album from Marilyn Manson! Makes me want to go back and listen to the last two and give them another chance! Manson have never gotten the recognition he deserves but lucky he doesn't care about all that bullsh*t. I give the album 4 out of 5 stars! KEY TRACKS: Hey, Cruel World..., No Reflection, Overneath the Path of Misery, Slo-Mo-Tion, The Gardener… Expand
  13. LGM
    Jul 9, 2012
    10
    Marilyn Manson's Born Villain just may be my favorite album to come out since Tool's 10,000 Days came out in 2006. I didn't just get the album, listen to it once or twice and come on here to write this, I've been 'living' with it for a little while now, opening myself up to it and listening to it as a singular experience, not as a comparison to the iconic Antichrist Superstar or theMarilyn Manson's Born Villain just may be my favorite album to come out since Tool's 10,000 Days came out in 2006. I didn't just get the album, listen to it once or twice and come on here to write this, I've been 'living' with it for a little while now, opening myself up to it and listening to it as a singular experience, not as a comparison to the iconic Antichrist Superstar or the so-far-ahead-of-it's-time-it's-scary Mechanical Animals. Manson has evolved with every album, from the pounding, grooving metal of Portrait... all the way through to Born Villain's stripped down, experimental, perfectly balanced hard rock/metal fusion.

    That's the beauty of Marilyn Manson; each album is unique, each has it's own sound. They're always innovating, experimenting, and evolving, something that a lot of other bands either can't or won't do. Nickelback is a good example of this, they've been re-recording the same album over and over again since 2001, and there are many, many more bands out there that have been doing it for years. Decades, in some cases.

    Born Villain should be at the top of the charts right now, but sadly the biggest music market currently is kids music like Bieber and rap/hip hop, as most kids' parents won't let them pirate so they actually buy albums, whereas the generation that was previously buying Manson albums now checks out a couple songs from it on youtube or spotify, or pirates it and listens to parts of a few songs while doing useless things on Facebook or obsessively texting their friends, then they decide that it doesn't sound like ACS or Holywood and they don't buy it. They're not taking the time to get to know the album, because if they did they'd be in love with it and Marilyn Manson would be back on top of the charts. I applaud Mr. Manson, Twiggy and the rest of the band for having the balls to continue evolving when the easy thing to do would be to just re-hash the past. If you're a Marilyn Manson fan, buy Born Villain, and let it in.    … Expand
  14. LoRevisor
    Nov 10, 2017
    9
    Na primeira vez que escutei dei um excelente 10, mas observando melhor "Pistol Whipped" não é tão boa, e "Slo-mo-tion" é somente boa...

    Fora isso é um excelente 9, por pouco não é dez. Excelente álbum muito subestimado, "The Gardener" é um rock n' roll complexo e inteligente com um refrão destruidor similar a outra grande faixa "The Flowers of Evil". "No Reflection" que é um dos    Na primeira vez que escutei dei um excelente 10, mas observando melhor "Pistol Whipped" não é tão boa, e "Slo-mo-tion" é somente boa...

    Fora isso é um excelente 9, por pouco não é dez.

    Excelente álbum muito subestimado, "The Gardener" é um rock n' roll complexo e inteligente com um refrão destruidor similar a outra grande faixa "The Flowers of Evil".

    "No Reflection" que é um dos maiores destaques do álbum excelente música, pra mim é tipo um pontapé para um outro single similar "Deep Six" do sucessor "The Pale Emperor".

    "Children Of Cain" principalmente mais também "Breaking the Same old Ground" são excelentes e lindas Baladas de Metal.

    Hey, Cruel World... Murders Are Getting Pretty Every day, Overneath The Path Of Misery são excelentes músicas de Metal..

    Excelente álbum, criminosamente subestimado.    … Expand
  15. Avaliante
    Aug 6, 2013
    10
    Um Album Meio Cru Sem Muitas Batidas E Riffs De Guitarra.
    Mas Mesmo Nesse Estilo O MM Fez Um Excelente Album Mais Uma Vez.
    Top Born Villain
    1-No Reflection
    2-The Gardener
    3-Overneath The Path Of Misery
    4-Hey Cruel World
    5-Slo-Mo-tion
  16. Indeed
    Aug 3, 2013
    10
    Born Villain is a groundbreaking album. Great for new fans and great for old fans too. It covers everything. Heavy tracks such as "Hey Cruel World', "Murders Are Getting Prettier Everyday" and Modern sounding tracks such as "The Flowers Of Evil", "Pistol Whipped" and "Slo-Mo-Tion." I highly recommend this album. It is 100% the best album since Holywood. This album is unique in its own way.Born Villain is a groundbreaking album. Great for new fans and great for old fans too. It covers everything. Heavy tracks such as "Hey Cruel World', "Murders Are Getting Prettier Everyday" and Modern sounding tracks such as "The Flowers Of Evil", "Pistol Whipped" and "Slo-Mo-Tion." I highly recommend this album. It is 100% the best album since Holywood. This album is unique in its own way. Definitely a favourite!

    Standout tracks Overneath The Path Of MIsery, Lay Down Your Goddamn Arms, Slo-Mo-Tion and Murders Are Getting Prettier Everyday    … Expand
  17. Zanessa250QI
    Oct 12, 2016
    9
    UNDERRATED ALBUM, is he Best Album Since The Golden Age Of Grotesque (2003), i freak out with the negative review for the terrible critic.............

    The Gardener, No Reflection, The Flowers of Evil, Hey Cruel World, Children of Cain, Breaking the Same old Ground & others, This Album have much Excellent Tracks & Highlights.
  18. raciocinio
    Oct 7, 2017
    9
    Excellent album i just don't give 10 because of the weak Pistol Whipped and the good Slo-Mo-Tion, outside is a huge comeback album very underrated. 59% of 100% only because the beast of UK Review
  19. sicrano
    Oct 17, 2016
    9
    A Underrated album not by fans but for some idiot critics 59% Come on!!!

    Marilyn Manson is someone that deserves the name "Artist" because he's a genius 7.7 for fans is good 70 for critics at least deserves
  20. lovro4501
    Mar 20, 2021
    10
    Solid album. There are some good songs and some "meh" songs, but unfortunately production is pretty weak on this album, at least some people could appreciate how raw it is.

Awards & Rankings

46
#46 Most Discussed Album of 2012

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
59

Mixed or average reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 10
  3. Negative: 1 out of 10
  1. musicOMH.com
    May 25, 2012
    70
    Like fine steak, Born Villain is at its best raw and bloody.
    Read full review
  2. Consequence
    May 23, 2012
    50
    Subject matter such as the aforementioned romanticism is refreshing, and maybe that will be pushed to the foreground in future records, but it only appears in spurts on Born Villain.
    Read full review
  3. Kerrang!
    May 21, 2012
    60
    Perhaps it's too monochrome, too arty. [28 Apr 2012, p.52]
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