Holy Wood (In the Shadow of the Valley of Death)
by Marilyn Manson
User Score
8.9

Universal acclaim- based on 161 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 148 out of 161
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 161
  3. Negative: 10 out of 161

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  1. JacobN
    Feb 9, 2007
    10
    Ok. Manson himself said hes not trying to corrupt people. He wants people to be more open about problems they have. The Album was totally fantastic. Manson knows how to blend fantastic lyrics with great beats. Marilyn Manson for president! 2008 bitch.
  2. M_Alex
    Jun 9, 2012
    10
    If I were to look back at Manson's career, I would say that this is one of his 2 best albums, the other being Antichrist Superstar. It does have a few weaker points, like the fight song, but by no means does this take away from the qualities of the album. Songs like The Nobodies ot Target Audience represent some of Manson's pinnacle moments in his song writing.
  3. JacobB.
    Aug 30, 2001
    10
    Come this cd one BEST ALBUM of the year in Kerrang! awards over Tool, and many other groups. It's REALLY that good. I already can't wait for his next followup since the triology is over.
  4. NecroMadMan666
    Dec 31, 2002
    10
    Bad As Fuck Just Like The Rest..............If Your Gonna Be Dedicated You Better Fucking Know All There Is To Know About What Your Being Dedicated For !
  5. RandyB
    Apr 2, 2005
    10
    This album is amazing. To date, 'Holy Wood' provides us with Manson's definitive work, combining the melodies of the amazingly underappreciated 'Mechanical Animals' and the noise of 'Antichrist Superstar'. The greatness of the lyrics here are in direct competition with those on 'Mechanical Animals', with a difference-the ones here are darker.
  6. angelwiththescabbedwings
    Jan 21, 2002
    9
    This album has a new type of rawnwss to it that MAR1LYN MAN5on hasn't used before. I belueve that it very unlike the rest of his albums, but is more like Antichrist Superstar than the rest. If your looking for heavy riffs, raw singing, and deep mind blowing lyrics, this is the album for you!
  7. JamesO.
    Jan 23, 2002
    10
    incredible!!!! i was moshin 4 weeks!! if u like manson get dis album now!!
  8. MoranaE
    Feb 10, 2003
    10
    Crazy dude just plain crazy. When I fuck with my boyfriend Suèiæ we allways listen to Marilyn
  9. RasHKalashnikov
    Feb 12, 2003
    10
    It made me go nuts.
  10. SimonB
    Oct 15, 2004
    10
    I think that Manson is a genius and those people who says that his songs make people kill them self/or other people are nut. If people do such thing it's not only because of the song, I think that there has to be something wrong with you if you kill your self/or other persons. Just my opinion and Manson deserves a 10
  11. ChamZ
    Sep 2, 2004
    10
    Genius. That is all.
  12. LILS8N"'
    Nov 1, 2001
    10
    Amazing, pulls me through the deepest hellish things
  13. CourtneyS.
    Oct 17, 2001
    10
    I loved the album i thought that every song on it was great and very well written. I love all of mansons albums but i honestly think that this was the best one.
  14. macarbrenecrophilia
    Oct 24, 2001
    10
    Its Fucking great.
  15. BenB.
    Jun 18, 2001
    10
    i love this cd. the song "disposable teens" kicks @$$. Marylin Manson's music sounds like no one elses, so this cd never gets old. :o)
  16. RickyD.
    Jul 9, 2001
    10
    This album'a awsome, I love Manson, I love his sound, I like the way he stands up for what he believes in Manson is by far the best music artist of all time.
  17. Satan
    Sep 14, 2001
    8
    An excellent display of solid songwriting, arguably his best to date, once again proving that there's more to Manson than dodgy Alice Cooper make-up and ridiculous stage props. Definately worth investigating, and a good place to start for newcomers.
  18. canesen
    Jan 18, 2002
    10
    It's a great album.I specially like the Disposable Teens and Figth Song.I advise it to every Black Metalers
  19. shimmy
    Jan 30, 2002
    10
    this album is just so fucking brilliant each time i listen to it it just seems to get louder better heavier deffinately worth a 10
  20. JanelleS.
    Aug 24, 2002
    10
    I love it, as soon as it came out I ran and bought it. I think he keeps getting better(excluding mechanical animals)
  21. godoff
    Nov 17, 2004
    10
    i fucking love this album i´m a great fan of manson and i´ve heard all of is work and i think that this is THE album the best work of m.m and a pleasent way to get all the adrenaline out whith out smaking the shit out of youre neighbours ears like music from cradle of filth our some of that death metal shit.MANSON4EVER
  22. TimothyW.
    Oct 15, 2001
    10
    Although just about every song in this album uses the word "God", I happen to think it is one of his best yet. I happen to like it a little more than Anti-christ Superstar, and thats just strange for me.
  23. CrashOverride
    Sep 26, 2001
    10
    This is by far the best Marilyn Manson album yet.I can actually relate to the lyrics and I love how he stands up for what he believes in.
  24. AndrewF
    Aug 21, 2004
    10
    Both the beginning and the end of his Antichrist tale, Holy Wood (In the Shadow of the Valley of Death) is a brilliant concept album- one that can be interpreted in many different ways. It can be seen as part of the story that also includes Mechanical Animals and Antichrist Superstar, or stand on it's own when viewed in a slightly more personal light. This isn't your mindless Both the beginning and the end of his Antichrist tale, Holy Wood (In the Shadow of the Valley of Death) is a brilliant concept album- one that can be interpreted in many different ways. It can be seen as part of the story that also includes Mechanical Animals and Antichrist Superstar, or stand on it's own when viewed in a slightly more personal light. This isn't your mindless shock rock, kiddies (and critics). I won't reveal the concept and themes behind the album. Doing so would take away from the album, and pretty much insult Manson himself. But I am slightly discouraged by the reaction Manson gets from his albums- people see them as silly glam/gothic rock with no real meaning. "Sure, it may have some social commentary, but it's amateurish at best." How wrong they are.… Collapse
  25. HunterB
    Nov 16, 2005
    9
    An amazing album. Manson has managed to blend the sound of Antichrist Superstar with that of Mechanical Animals, making this album both abrasive and melodic. Manson's lyrics are better than ever. While formulaic at times, this is a great album.
  26. zven
    May 24, 2011
    10
    OK this album truly rocks, one of the best Marilyn Manson albums, i liked the first time i heard it, but later i jist love it, every song, the lyrics are amazing, very sincere, love it 10
  27. ZaneStickler
    Nov 22, 2011
    8
    I feel like an album review should disregard the artist's personal views. Which, personally, I admire very much. This album is definitely one of his top 3 best. The album does have some weak points, but when you look at it as a whole, it is very well done. Classic Marilyn Manson. Anybody looking to get into this kind of music, this is a great starting point.

    The lyrics have meaning.    I feel like an album review should disregard the artist's personal views. Which, personally, I admire very much. This album is definitely one of his top 3 best. The album does have some weak points, but when you look at it as a whole, it is very well done. Classic Marilyn Manson. Anybody looking to get into this kind of music, this is a great starting point.

    The lyrics have meaning. That's one of the strongest points. It's not all screaming, either. Listening to this, without the ignorant assumption that Marilyn Manson is evil, you should be able to pick apart the various meanings and apply them personally. The words and music isn't just nonsense. These are well-intentioned songs by an artist that I have loved for years. I'd highly recommend this album.    … Expand
  28. Douggie234
    Oct 11, 2012
    10
    This album was the rebirth of Marilyn. Although the beats are very similar, it's very respectable. One of the best was target audience (narcissus narcosis), along with burning flag and coma black. The antichrist superstar is back!
  29. mrgeebaby
    May 6, 2013
    10
    This album changed my life!

    So there i was, in school, liking whatever music was in the charts and on the T.V. I only liked pop music and the occasional gangster rap that was popular in my area. Then one day i witnessed Marilyn Manson on the T.V and i realised there is a whole other world of music out there! I quickly bought the album and loved how different it was from anything i    This album changed my life!

    So there i was, in school, liking whatever music was in the charts and on the T.V. I only liked pop music and the occasional gangster rap that was popular in my area.

    Then one day i witnessed Marilyn Manson on the T.V and i realised there is a whole other world of music out there! I quickly bought the album and loved how different it was from anything i have ever heard before. The philosophy, the questioning of organised religion, analysis of society things i have never even thought to question!

    From there i have been on a musical journey I got all Mansons previous albums, i heard he liked Bowie so got into Bowie. Then NIN, then Slayer and Sabboth. Now i play an instrument in a band, my musical taste goes from indie to classic to metal, rap, rock, funk, jazz, dance music the list is endless.

    MM taught me to question the world with this album. I have ever since.    … Expand
  30. LoRevisor
    Nov 10, 2017
    10
    O Melhor Álbum sem sombras de dúvida já feito por Marilyn Manson, e Um dos melhores Álbum de Rock de todos os tempos...

    Do primeiro e mediano álbum "Portrait Of A An American Family" (1994) para o segundo Icônico "Antichrist Superstar" (1996) a inovação, revolução e crescimento da maturidade artística de Marilyn Manson foi algo extraordinário!!!. Se analisamos pelo ponto de vista do    O Melhor Álbum sem sombras de dúvida já feito por Marilyn Manson, e Um dos melhores Álbum de Rock de todos os tempos...

    Do primeiro e mediano álbum "Portrait Of A An American Family" (1994) para o segundo Icônico "Antichrist Superstar" (1996) a inovação, revolução e crescimento da maturidade artística de Marilyn Manson foi algo extraordinário!!!.

    Se analisamos pelo ponto de vista do primeiro álbum, poderia ser apenas uma banda qualquer que lançou seu primeiro álbum mediano, do gênero Metal Industrial, com até algumas músicas boas mas nada tão impactante. Com isso poderíamos nem se empolgar por um segundo álbum que claramente já iriamos acreditar que seria outro álbum mediano mas não, Antichrist Superstar (1996) foi sem dúvidas um marco não só para o metal mas para o Rock também, foi algo novo uma nova força agressiva ambas lírica e melodiosa, com sons inovadores sintetizados que ao mesmo tempo é assustador e brilhante como por exemplo a bela e horripilante passagem do meio para o final da clássica faixa "Cryptorchid", Antichrist Superstar considerado pela maioria dos fãs e críticos como o melhor álbum de Marilyn Manson e não pra menos, Foi díficil eu escolher entre Holy Wood & Superstar, mas para mim Holy Wood comete a façanha de ser ainda melhor.

    Para o terceiro álbum "Mechanical Animals" vemos de novo uma reinvenção e evolução mais no quesito sonoro, Mas maduro que o som do Antichrist não estou dizendo que seja melhor a melodia do MA do que do AS, mas sem dúvida Mechanical tem melodias mais bem construídas e maduras exemplo para as Baladas "The Speed of Pain", "Coma White" & "Dissasociative".

    Digamos que por isso Holy Wood é o melhor, pois uniu a raiva do Antichrist talvez mais raiva ainda, num Metal mais rápido que do Antichrist, e as melodia maduras do Mechanical....

    Holy Wood, É um álbum excelente do início ao fim, ou melhor É uma obra-prima.    … Expand
  31. Avaliante
    Aug 6, 2013
    10
    A Terceira Obra Prima Em Sequência Do Marilyn Manson Os Outros São Antichrist Superstar E Mechanical Animals.
    Top Hollywood.
    1-The Nobodies
    2-The Fight Song
    3-Disposable Teens
    4-Target Audience (Narcisus Narcosis)
    5-Cruci Fiction In Space
  32. Zanessa250QI
    Oct 12, 2016
    10
    O Melhor álbum de Marilyn Manson EVER, 72% pela crítica é pouco ainda, devia ter no mínimo 82%......

    Impossível destacar as 5 ou 10 melhores músicas desse álbum pois as 19 são excelentes.... E a Rolling Stone ainda dar 3.5/5 estrela 70/100, 4/5 é pouco ainda merece 5/5 ou 4.5/5 não é exagero, a Rolling Stone é meio alienada merecia estar na lista dela dos 500 melhores álbuns de todos    O Melhor álbum de Marilyn Manson EVER, 72% pela crítica é pouco ainda, devia ter no mínimo 82%......

    Impossível destacar as 5 ou 10 melhores músicas desse álbum pois as 19 são excelentes....

    E a Rolling Stone ainda dar 3.5/5 estrela 70/100, 4/5 é pouco ainda merece 5/5 ou 4.5/5 não é exagero, a Rolling Stone é meio alienada merecia estar na lista dela dos 500 melhores álbuns de todos os tempos    … Expand
  33. raciocinio
    Oct 7, 2017
    10
    The best album ever released by Marilyn Manson, is so full of energy in both lyrics & melodies, have the best Metal melodies of MM and great ballads too, isn't easy say the best tracks because every track in this **** disc is a anthem, Yes better than Antichrist Superstar to me.
  34. sicrano
    Oct 17, 2016
    10
    .........................................................................................................A Masterpiece very underrated for Dumb critics.

    Holy Wood Deserves more than 80% Universal Acclaim This album is **** Brilliant.

    Rolling Stone Fail dumb with Marilyn Manson no one album have more than 70 come-on
  35. Okdverk
    Jul 30, 2016
    10
    Holy Wood (In the Shadow of the Valley of Death) is Manson's most angry, hard-hitting and straight-up album. It takes jabs at practically everything that was wrong with American society at the time of the recording, and this album still feels relative almost sixteen years after it's release, which indicates that not much has changed since then.
  36. Thenewone
    Jan 6, 2016
    10
    Magnus Opum of Marilyn Manson, Holy Wood (In the Shadow of the Valley of Death) (2000),IS PERFECT from START to FINISH, Marilyn Manson is UNDERRATED,How?? he don't won grammy awards from this perfect metal album,and From Antichrist 96 and Mechanical 98
  37. Zaynhewsonjavad
    Apr 2, 2016
    10
    A Full Masterpiece Metal Album..................... MarilynManson proved that he is also a great artist, and not only a controversial John Doe, he is a great artist in music, lyrics, and in voice.....
  38. clinteastwoo
    May 11, 2016
    10
    ....................................................................................................................................................................................................Magnum opus of MM
  39. lovro4501
    Mar 20, 2021
    10
    Best way to describe this album is a simple word - masterpiece! Awesome record without weak song. I'm absolutely in love with this record.
  40. Musicngamer
    Apr 18, 2020
    10
    This and Antichrist Superstar are brilliant works of art and it’s also teaching people to just be themselves in a way you know be your own individual selves
  41. Geffen
    Jun 23, 2020
    10
    This is Marilyn Manson's best album and a masterpiece, in my opinion. A must for fans.

Awards & Rankings

88
#88 Best Album of 2000
16
#16 Most Discussed Album of 2000
6
#6 Most Shared Album of 2000

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. Dot Music
    70
    Where 'Holy Wood' does come together and threaten to transcend its at times cliched parts is in its clarity of vision. This is a lean, visceral album that is as tripwire lithe as its maker. Manson's also remembered to write some great pop-goth tunes this time out, nowhere more so than with first single 'Disposable Teens'.
    Read full review
  2. Spin
    40
    With nothing fresh to moan about, it's like a seventh James Bond movie without any new gadgets. [12/2000, p.223]
  3. L.A. Weekly
    90
    Yeah, it's a party. And it's great rock music. Those who claim Manson "went back to Goth" and reclaimed Antichrist's noise after Mechanical proved too subtle for kids are only partly right. Okay, he virtually cloned his hit "The Beautiful People" in "Disposable Teens." And there are several familiar yell-and-stomp numbers on Holy Wood. But even those almost all contain a double-take chord change or a textural overdose or a mind-blowing bridge, and they'll be terroristic in concert. More important, there are a bunch of plain brilliant tracks where Manson anoints bits of rock history into his own church.
    Read full review
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