The Golden Age Of Grotesque
by Marilyn Manson
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 118 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 95 out of 118
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 118
  3. Negative: 9 out of 118

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  1. Wickedjr89
    Nov 26, 2022
    9
    Love Marilyn Manson. My favorite songs are (s)aint, mOBSCENE, and tainted Love.
  2. lovro4501
    Mar 20, 2021
    10
    Really good record, but some lyrics are pretty weak although I really love this album.
  3. AmadeusE
    Dec 12, 2019
    8
    Marilyn Mansons's best snd worst. Has both some of Marilyn Manson's best songs and some of his worst.
  4. MathewManson
    Feb 4, 2013
    8
    Marilyn Manson wanted a change, and this is where it all began. The Golden Age of Grotesque is indeed an odd album--especially when in relation to Marilyn Manson. Change is a good thing in my opinion, and for three records straight, Manson had been doing the same thing over and over again. I have nothing against his "trilogy" and they are easily the better albums that Manson has made.Marilyn Manson wanted a change, and this is where it all began. The Golden Age of Grotesque is indeed an odd album--especially when in relation to Marilyn Manson. Change is a good thing in my opinion, and for three records straight, Manson had been doing the same thing over and over again. I have nothing against his "trilogy" and they are easily the better albums that Manson has made. Electronic boom-boom with heavy guitars and obscene lyrics make this album what it is. The album seems to have no real negative side, it's just lacking where Manson has always been so good. Expect his best vocals he has ever produced, the lyrics are a little...repetitive and the ideas are generally the same across the entire record. Enjoy?… Expand
  5. M_Alex
    Jun 9, 2012
    7
    Recently (about 20 minute ago) I listened to this album for the first time in years; I hadn't done soe consciously, as i remember the album being worse than Manson's previous records. The fact that his following albums are totally lost on me didn't help. So I put it in my player and... Its good! Its not as good as Antichrist or Holy wood, but its a tight album with some pretty good songs.
  6. KendoJ
    May 27, 2009
    10
    Simply incredible album. Everything about it screams awesome. Second only to Mechanical Animals but still gets a 10 because MA deserves an 11.
  7. CynthiaV
    Aug 27, 2008
    10
    Manson does not disappoint. My favorite songs are ''spade'', ''[s]aint'', ''Mobscene'' and...pretty much all of them.
  8. DanC
    Feb 19, 2008
    10
    This was my first MM album at the age of 11 and I thought it was amazing. Listening to it now brings back so many memories. My particular favourite songs are: (S)aint Spade Doll - Digga - Buzz - Buzz - Ziggety - Zag.
  9. BL
    Aug 7, 2007
    6
    This album suffers from trying to recreate the "classic" Manson sound. The thing is a lot of the songs just aren't that good. mOBSCENE is one of the best and a obvious choice for the single. Golden Age of Grotesque (the song), (s)aint and Para-noir are the other stand-out tracks. The album isn't awful but other than a few tracks it's nothing special.
  10. CameronD
    Mar 20, 2007
    7
    Not my favorite manson album, but still worth listening too. There are few very good songs on here.
  11. JakeW
    Mar 6, 2007
    10
    Good catchy hooks, awesome guitar riffs, some original drumming, some cool electronic, a well rounded album that you don't want to stop listening to.
  12. Ryan
    Nov 21, 2005
    0
    Terrible music. Boring, old and rushed. DONT WASTE YOURTIME OR MONEY on this trash!!! Please, just stay away from this junk.
  13. RandyB
    Jun 14, 2005
    7
    I really would like to give this a 7.5, but that's unfortunately not an option.... Using trashy burlesque theatre as the inspiration for his fifth album, Marilyn Manson creates a decadent new addition to his body of work. The Golden Age of Grotesque finds twisted beauty in the overall dark-whorehouse theme that lies in its tracks. It opens with
  14. mj
    Mar 26, 2005
    9
    Good, more "rock" than industrial or experimental or acoustic, less of a war on religion, more on perceptions of sex, pain, love, ect ect.. More like jaded-romantic goth than his last couple cds of appolypse-rock. Miss the antichrist absolutely shocking antics, but this is still very very good+high quality in a different sort of flavor, namely quality vs. experimental.
  15. AdamT
    Feb 9, 2005
    9
    Brilliant album! I was addicted to this for many months! I liked nearly all of the songs (as opposed to most other artists, which, typically I only enjoy 2 or 3 songs per album) The songs are just awsome, mad lyrics and its all great fun when you need some mad music for energy and drive! Manson rules!
  16. MirandaR
    Jan 21, 2005
    10
    Awesome!
  17. magdac
    Oct 1, 2004
    10
    it's great
  18. ColtinM
    Aug 10, 2004
    7
    The second Manson CD I owned and I thought it rocked because my first was "Smells Like Children". But now that i have AcS and MA my views have changed, i still think it is a pretty good CD but not near as good as his sound once was.
  19. tobyl
    Jun 21, 2004
    3
    Very disappointing. Antichrist, Animals, Holywood were in a completely different league. This though is just one lame routine industrial boom boom. I honestly wouldn't have bought it if it wasn't for Manson's name on it. I've probably listened to it for only three or four times in one year. Please Marilyn. let's get it over with the singles and get to a new album!
  20. LindsiH
    Jun 13, 2004
    10
    I love this CD! Manson is a genius and the CD shows it . He has somehow managed to make a cd the is completely different then anything he has done in the past yet still maintain all the qualities in the music that make Manson great.
  21. Schizoid
    May 31, 2004
    10
    Da best of Manson.
  22. wandersonc
    May 3, 2004
    10
    I like very marilyn manson I love the music(The Golden Age Of Grotesque)ok!!! ok!!!I love you marilyn!!!
  23. joshuah
    Apr 20, 2004
    9
    This is by far one of his greatest albums. There are numerous songs on this cd that are catchy. And it is good music to bang your head to.
  24. LuísB
    Apr 16, 2004
    10
    It's perfect. Grotesque it's wonderful. It reach the perfection between the madness and reality.
  25. KevinA
    Jan 3, 2004
    6
    It has tons of hooks and really rocks, but it all sounds kind of the same. Definitely not as sharp as Mechanical Animals, Holy Wood, or even Antichrist Superstar. And you're either going to love the lyrical stupidity ("doll-dagga buzz-buzz ziggety-zag"), and I don't love it.
  26. CarolW
    Nov 24, 2003
    10
    I love Marilyn Manson 2 Death and as much I want to get his newest cd , I just never got the chance to buy one cuz I've been working But I did hear some of it on the internet and And his music ROCKS the EARTH I'm tellin ya!!!! Marilyn Manson Rulz 4ever !!!
  27. BarryP
    Oct 15, 2003
    10
    This album found a way to blend the Rage and hypnotic state of Anti Christ and Mechanical and take the artistry of Manso to a new level. It has incredible punch and sharp as a razor riffs. Lyrics, are very introspective, however it did take a few listens to truly appreciate what he was saying. This is a metamorphosis, truly the artist HAS become the art, and the blurry line that is left This album found a way to blend the Rage and hypnotic state of Anti Christ and Mechanical and take the artistry of Manso to a new level. It has incredible punch and sharp as a razor riffs. Lyrics, are very introspective, however it did take a few listens to truly appreciate what he was saying. This is a metamorphosis, truly the artist HAS become the art, and the blurry line that is left will keep you entertained for HRS. I also just saw his Concert for this album and it ties everything together, the GAOG is truly here and manson has brought it to us in horrific splendor.… Expand
  28. AnnB
    Sep 14, 2003
    10
    I love i get dressed to go to work to it
  29. GreenGothikGoo
    Jul 21, 2003
    10
    I absolutely love this album along with all of Manson's other work. He's a genuis and people that don't like him are close-minded fools. That is all.
  30. MrSinister
    Jul 9, 2003
    10
    This album KICKS ASS as only Marilyn Manson could! The way HolyWood was able to bring out the straight foreward, in your face, evil, this album in it's own way brought out the sinister feelings of the 40s type era.
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Awards & Rankings

31
#31 Most Discussed Album of 2003
31
#31 Most Shared Album of 2003

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 12
  3. Negative: 1 out of 12
  1. Mojo
    60
    Better than the conceptual barf of its predecessor Holy Wood, but not as sharp as his best record to date, '98's glammy Mechanical Animals. [Jun 2003, p.100]
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    67
    Inventive and powerful enough to merit intermittent attention, but ultimately crushed by the weight of its hoary pretensions.
    Read full review
  3. Q Magazine
    60
    The good news is that Grotesque rocks like a bastard.... Not so good news is that Manson's shock shtick still lacks real substance. [Jun 2003, p.103]
See all critic reviews »