The Golden Age of Grotesque cover art

  Studio Album · No. 5

The Golden Age of Grotesque Songwriting Credits by Marilyn Manson

2003 Nothing Records / Interscope Records 15 tracks 57 min

Produced by Marilyn Manson, Tim Skold, Ben Grosse  ·  Engineered by Ben Grosse, Chuck Bailey

Nothing Records / Interscope Records Industrial MetalIndustrial RockNu Metal
100%
Authorship
Complete Artist

Holds writing credit on 15 of 15 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 15 / 15 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 15 tracks with documented writers, by whether Marilyn Manson carries a lyricist or composer credit.

100%
15 trackswritten by Marilyn Manson 0 tracksoutside writers
Marilyn Manson's roles on this album

Share of the 15 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist100%
Composer100%
Producer100%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

15
Tracks
1
Lyricists
3
Producers
526,000
US Copies Sold
2003
Released

Awards & Recognition 1

Best Metal Performance (for 'mOBSCENE') (2004, Nominated)
Data Insight

Brian Warner wrote all the lyrics, while the music marks the arrival of Tim Skold as a full creative partner; Skold co-wrote and co-produced the bulk of the record after replacing Twiggy Ramirez in the band's writing core. Warner and Skold produced together with Ben Grosse handling mixing and co-production. The Weimar-era cabaret and degenerate-art concept shaped both the lyrics and the arrangements across tracks like 'mOBSCENE' and 'This Is the New Sh*t.' It became Manson's first album to top the Billboard 200.

Marilyn Manson's fifth album, co-produced by Manson and Tim Skold. Drawing on Weimar-era cabaret, burlesque, and World War II imagery, it represents a stylistic pivot toward a more danceable industrial sound. It was the final Marilyn Manson album to feature Twiggy Ramirez (first tenure) and Madonna Wayne Gacy on keyboards.

Track Listing & Credits 15 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Thaeter
Marilyn Manson Brian Hugh WarnerStephen Gregory Bier Jr.Tim Sköld Marilyn MansonTim SkoldBen Grosse Marilyn Manson (Lead Vocals)
2
This Is the New Shit
Marilyn Manson John William LoweryBrian Hugh WarnerTim Sköld Marilyn MansonTim SkoldBen Grosse Marilyn Manson (Lead Vocals)
3
mOBSCENE #18
Marilyn Manson John William LoweryBrian Hugh Warner Marilyn MansonTim SkoldBen Grosse Marilyn Manson (Lead Vocals)
4
Doll-Dagga Buzz-Buzz Ziggety-Zag
Marilyn Manson John William LoweryTim SköldBrian Hugh Warner Marilyn MansonTim SkoldBen Grosse Marilyn Manson (Lead Vocals)
5
Use Your Fist and Not Your Mouth
Marilyn Manson John William LoweryBrian Hugh Warner Marilyn MansonTim SkoldBen Grosse Marilyn Manson (Lead Vocals)
6
The Golden Age of Grotesque
Marilyn Manson John William LoweryBrian Hugh Warner Marilyn MansonTim SkoldBen Grosse Marilyn Manson (Lead Vocals)
7
(s)AINT
Marilyn Manson John William LoweryBrian Hugh WarnerTim Sköld Marilyn MansonTim SkoldBen Grosse Marilyn Manson (Lead Vocals)
8
Ka-Boom Ka-Boom
Marilyn Manson John William LoweryTim Sköld Marilyn MansonTim SkoldBen Grosse Marilyn Manson (Lead Vocals)
9
Slutgarden
Marilyn Manson John William LoweryBrian Hugh Warner Marilyn MansonTim SkoldBen Grosse Marilyn Manson (Lead Vocals)
10
Spade
Marilyn Manson John William Lowery Marilyn MansonTim SkoldBen Grosse Marilyn Manson (Lead Vocals)
11
Para-noir
Marilyn Manson John William LoweryTim SköldStephen Gregory Bier Jr.Brian Hugh Warner Marilyn MansonTim SkoldBen Grosse Marilyn Manson (Lead Vocals)
12
The Bright Young Things
Marilyn Manson John William Lowery Marilyn MansonTim SkoldBen Grosse Marilyn Manson (Lead Vocals)
13
Better of Two Evils
Marilyn Manson Brian Hugh WarnerJohn William LoweryTim SköldStephen Gregory Bier Jr. Marilyn MansonTim SkoldBen Grosse Marilyn Manson (Lead Vocals)
14
Vodevil
Marilyn Manson John William LoweryTim Sköld Marilyn MansonTim SkoldBen Grosse Marilyn Manson (Lead Vocals)
15
Obsequey (The Death of Art)
Marilyn Manson Brian Hugh WarnerTim Sköld Marilyn MansonTim SkoldBen Grosse Marilyn Manson (Lead Vocals)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 7 contributors

More from Marilyn Manson

Frequently Asked Questions The Golden Age of Grotesque

What is The Golden Age of Grotesque by Marilyn Manson about?
The album is built around a Weimar-era Germany concept, drawing on 1920s and 1930s Berlin cabaret and the Nazi-condemned 'degenerate art' (Entartete Kunst). Brian Warner used that aesthetic to frame lyrics about decadence, censorship, and spectacle. The grotesque-cabaret theme runs through the artwork, staging, and arrangements.
Who wrote the music on The Golden Age of Grotesque?
Brian Warner wrote the lyrics, and Tim Skold co-wrote and co-produced most of the music. It was Skold's first album as a full creative partner in the band, replacing the earlier Warner and Twiggy Ramirez writing partnership. Ben Grosse mixed the record and contributed to production.
Was The Golden Age of Grotesque a number one album?
Yes. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, making it the first Marilyn Manson album to top that chart. It also reached the top of charts in several other countries.
Did mOBSCENE by Marilyn Manson win a Grammy?
No. 'mOBSCENE' was nominated for Best Metal Performance at the 2004 Grammy Awards but did not win. It reached number 18 on the Mainstream Rock chart and number 26 on Alternative Airplay.
Did This Is the New Sh*t chart in the United States?
Wikipedia lists no US Billboard Hot 100 or US rock-chart peak for 'This Is the New Sh*t.' It charted across Europe, reaching number 29 on the UK Singles Chart and number 15 in Spain.
Is The Golden Age of Grotesque certified Gold?
It earned Gold certifications in several countries, including Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, Austria, and Switzerland, plus Silver in Portugal. It was not certified by the RIAA in the United States.

Sources