Palladium, Cologne, Germany
19th November 2009
Marilyn Manson, Esoterica
On 19th November, a huge crowd hit the road to Cologne to watch Mr. Manson live on tour. I was as well looking vey much forward to it, because MARILYN MANSON being that famous for his eccentric shows. And it definitely should become an extraordinary experience!
Esoterica
ESOTERICA - as supporting band this evening - began to rock the house at 20:00 o’clock. Mostly it’s kind of hard being the first band of the eve but these 5 British musicians with performing their progressive dark Rock amazed and inspired the audience. Not only the sound, but even their appearance and charisma were great! Two guitarist, one bassist, a drummer and charismatic lead singer put us under their spell and with songs like ‘The Riddle’(released Sep 2009) or the cover version ‘Silence’ they amazed as much as with their debut album ‘The Fool’ (produced by John Fryer; released 2008). 
Occasionally we had a few problems with one of the guitars, but after immediate exchange it went on perfectly. The band seemed a bit uncertain at the beginning but ended after the last song ‘Don’t rely on anyone’ with a lot of applause. Their performance was about half an hour long. Then the reconstruction for Manson’s show began behind a thick black curtain blocking sight on to the stage. ESOTERICA definitely may be headliner themselves one day! http://www.esoterica1.com/ / http://www.myspace.com/esoterica
Rating
Music: 8
Performance: 8
Sound: 7
Light: 8
Total: 7.9 / 10
Marilyn Manson
Finally he’s ready, “Ladies and gentlemen, the extra ordinary Entertainer, Mister Marilyn Manson!” The curtain went down and besides of mist and laser pointers which were fixed to Mr. Manson’s gloves nothing else was visible. Totally appropriate to his first song ‘Cruci-Fiction in Space’ but annoying to all the photographers because the rule was: “Pictures, only the first song!” In time to the second song ‘Disposable Teens’ it went spot on and off goes his jacket. Hell! Next song ‘Pretty as a Swastika’ was followed by ‘The High End of Low’ performed in army style costume. Stage setting was flags from the old Nazi regime which were eased with Dollar sign instead of Swastika symbols. The audience’s atmosphere was rising from song to song. Then two older songs followed. With the words “We hate love, we love hate” and old Wehrmacht helmet and a German flag around his shoulders he presented ‘The Love Song’ and during ‘Irresponsible Hate Anthem’ he started a giant confetti machine. He changed themes from war into religious directions. 
Having some light effects with reversed crosses projected on his body he played ‘Four rusted Horses’ and during ‘Devour’ he demonstrated his first successful attempts of his guitar lessons [caution: irony!]. Well, it sounded really good and maybe he‘s going to play a whole song on his own guitar some day… But he even demonstrated really thoroughly how much he is a manly diva by commanding his stage hands around. Then he was jumping from actual songs back to the past: ‘Dried Up’, ‘Coma White / Coma Black’ followed and then he was having a short rest while getting his makeup restored and starting with a beer and a handful of pills performing ‘The Dope Show’… walking swaying across the stage followed by a single light spot. With a “fake” (dollar sign instead of stars) American flag show went on with ‘We’re America’ and with some of his old works like ‘Rock is Dead’, ‘Sweet Dreams’ and ‘Rock n Roll Nigger’ he came to the end of the show but being called back again by enthusiastic applause and screams from the audience.
Even for his bonus songs he re-styled the whole stage completely. ‘If I was your Vampire’ got candle lights and altars and his last song that evening was ‘The beautiful People’ where he started the confetti machine again and filled up the whole convert hall with plenty of confetti pieces. What a mess! All considered it was a great evening. But who did see him on some of his former concerts surely had even better performances. I’d say he is winding down a little. Nevertheless that wouldn’t stop me seeing him again some next time - in my opinion very well done Mr. Manson! http://www.marilynmanson.com/ / http://www.myspace.com/marilynmanson
Setlist
01. Cruci-Fiction in Space
02. Disposable Teens
03. Pretty as a Swastika
04. The Love Song
05. Irresponsible Hate Anthem
06. Four Rusted Horses
07. Devour
08. Dried Up, Tied an Dead to the World
09. Coma White/ Coma Black
10. The Dope Show
11. We’re from America
12. Rock is dead
13. Sweet Dreams (EURYTHMICS)
14. Rock n Roll Nigger (PATTI SMITH)
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15. If I was you’re Vampire
16. The Beautiful People
Rating
Music: 9
Performance: 9
Sound: 9
Light: 9
Total: 9 / 10
All pictures by Daniela Vorndran (http://www.vorndranphotography.com/ / http://www.black-cat-net.de/ / www.myspace.com/vorndranphotography)
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