Revision as of 18:12, 2 April 2011

This article is about the tour. For other uses, see Guns, God and Government World Tour (DVD), Guns, God, and Government World Tour (tour book) and Guns, God and Government (bootleg).

Guns, God and Government is a worldwide arena tour by Marilyn Manson, under management of major record label Interscope Records. It was the eight tour the band embarked upon and the fourth to span over multiple legs. It was launched 17 days ahead in support of their fourth full-length studio LP, Holy Wood (In the Shadow of the Valley of Death), which was released on November 14, 2001 in the US and Australia.^[1][2] Beginning on October 27, 2000 and lasting until September 2, 2001, the tour included six legs spanning Eurasia, Japan and North America with a total of 109 shows.^[1]

Two concert films depicting the worldwide tour were recorded. The Guns, God and Government World Tour DVD was released on October 29, 2002 by Eagle Rock Entertainment and features live concert footage spliced from performances in Los Angeles, Europe, Russia and Japan. "The Beautiful People", "The Nobodies" and "Lunchbox" are on the release.^[3][4] It also includes a 30-minute behind-the-scenes featurette titled The Death Parade with guest appearances from Ozzy Osbourne and Eminem.^[4]

Seven years later it was followed by Guns, God and Government - Live in L.A. Released in Blu-ray format by Eagle Rock Entertainment division Eagle Records on November 17, 2009, it depicts the sixteen song set of the Los Angeles performance in full. "Astonishing Panorama of the Endtimes", "Antichrist Superstar" and "The Dope Show" are on the release.^[5][6]

The contentious Denver show, during the Ozzfest leg of the Guns, God and Government Tour,^[7] was also featured during Marilyn Manson's interview in Michael Moore's 2002 documentary Bowling for Columbine.^[8]

Lineup

• Vocals: Marilyn Manson
• Guitar: John 5
• Bass: Twiggy Ramirez
• Keyboards: Madonna Wayne Gacy
• Drums: Ginger Fish

Track listing

The following list contains the most commonly played songs in the order they were most generally performed:

Opening songs

• "Irresponsible Hate Anthem"

Performance and show themes

A backstage pass from the Guns, God and Government tour

Typical of the band, the concerts were extremely theatrical.^[2] Manson has several costume changes throughout the sets ranging from a Bishop's dalmatic and mitre (often confused for Papal regalia), an elaborate Roman legionary-style Imperial galea, an Allgemeine SS-style peaked police cap, his signature black leather corset, g-string and garter stocking ensemble, a black-and-white fur coat and a giant rising conical skirt that lifts the singer 12 meters (40 feet) into the air.^[2]

When being introduced, Manson was pulled onstage on a Roman-like chariot by two naked girls that bore stylized Roman horse masks. Heavy use of fireworks was still used and Manson would wear a skirted version of his signature black leather bondage ensemble, replete with the Imperial gallic.

During performances of "The Love Song," Manson would wear the Bishop's outfit, which would then be discarded to reveal his signature black leather bondage ensemble (without the skirt). During performances of "Valentine's Day," Manson would perform, wearing the same Bishop's attire, kneeled behind a prayer kneeler that is bookended with two severed heads bearing his own likeness.

During some shows, there would be two dancers onstage. The podium that was used in previous tours during performances of "Antichrist Superstar" also returned, this time sporting a new design of a crucifix made of guns, instead of the "shock" symbol previously used. During the February 24, 2001 show in Moscow, Russia, two Russian military guards were asked to stand on each side of the podium as Manson sang "The Love Song", replete with his Allgemeine SS-style peaked police cap.

In performances of "Cruci-Fiction in Space", Manson would be lifted 12 meters (40 feet) into the air on a platform hidden by the giant conical skirt, much like in the "Disposable Teens" video. Images would often be displayed in the stage backdrop, including a parody of the Hollywood Sign rewritten as "Holy Wood", the cover for the "Disposable Teens" single, and a partially burned American flag.

Tour legs

Supporting Acts

• gODHEAD
• The Union Underground
• Disturbed
• Professional Murder Music (Portland and Seattle only)

Trivia

• The studio versions of "The Lord Is My Shepherd" ("God Bless America" in the second half of the tour) and "Suicide Is Painless" were sampled during the tour as intro and an outro respectively.

See also

• Photo gallery

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