Difference between revisions of "Triptych"
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| − | The '''Triptych''' is | + | The '''Triptych''' is comprised of three records [[Marilyn Manson (band)|Marilyn Manson]] released between 1996 and 2000: 1996's ''[[Antichrist Superstar (album)|Antichrist Superstar]]'', 1998's ''[[Mechanical Animals (album)|Mechanical Animals]]'' and 2000's ''[[Holy Wood (In the Shadow of the Valley of Death)]]''. Each album represents some semi-autobiographical aspect of [[Marilyn Manson|Manson]] himself, and although made up of three records, it is considered one body of work by Manson and the fanbase. |
| − | == | + | ==Disclaimer== |
| − | + | While the plot of the '''Triptych''' is often dissected and discussed by fans, it should be noted that little has been explained by the band and even that must be taken with a grain of salt. | |
| + | For example, Manson had initially conceived ''Mechanical Animals'' as a sequel to ''Antichrist Superstar'', following the Worm after its fall from power. However, ''Holy Wood'' was released, the story was now to be read in an inversed order and suddenly ''Mechanical Animals'' was a prequel to ''Antichrist Superstar'' rather than its sequel. This shows that the actual story was not conceived linearly and ideas that originally representing or referring to one thing may now have a different meaning than what was originally intended. | ||
| − | + | The only official text on the matter, the [[Holy Wood (novel)| Holy Wood Novel]], remains unreleased and all other writings are pure fan speculation and conjecture. | |
| + | Some theorize that the three albums present a linear storyline with one character growing and transforming throughout. Others take the "triptych" term literally and interpret the albums as three separate stories that happen simultaneously to three separate characters, possibly in three separate worlds. More ambitious theories feel that Manson writes one continuous storyline throughout all his works and attempt to integrate ideas from other albums and EPs such as ''[[The Golden Age of Grotesque]]'' and ''[[Smells Like Children]]'' for example. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The theories are many, and can range from broad to detailed and from outlandish to logical. The only element they all have in common is that '''none are official.''' | ||
| + | The official story has yet to be explained outright by Marilyn Manson (the man or the band). Even if it were to be explained now, Manson's personal perception of the story may have changed (just as it changed when he decided that the albums were no longer a linear duology but a reversed triptych) and an explanation entirely different from the original intent may be given. | ||
| + | |||
| + | In summary: when reading theories on the plot of the "triptych" keep in mind that it is '''all fan speculation and nothing more.''' | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Plot== | ||
| + | The '''Triptych''''s most commonly accepted timeline is accepted to begin with ''[[Holy Wood (In the Shadow of the Valley of Death)]]'', ''[[Mechanical Animals]]'', and finally ''[[Antichrist Superstar]]'', reversed from the actual release of each album. However, each album's interpretation is debatable, and far more so when interpreted as a whole story. | ||
| − | + | In "Holy Wood" the character is Adam Kadmom, a rebel from the Valley of Death, which is essentially a dwelling of "rejects". He leads a revolution against Holy Wood, which is populated by the rich and famous and powerful who oppress the Valley of Death and ruled by the corrupt[[President Dead | President White]] and his daughter [[Coma White]] <ref>[http://www.mansonwiki.com/wiki/Holy_Wood_(novel) An excerpt of Chapter 10 was released revealing information about President White and Coma White ]</ref>. His revolution is a bitter sweet success in that while he does eradicate Holy Wood, the mainstream media soon transforms the revolution and makes it just as fake, profiteering, and hollow as Holy Wood. All of this leads to Adam playing Russian Roulette at the end of [[Count to Six and Die]] with his fate left unknown. | |
| − | + | ''Mechanical Animals'' focuses on Omēga, an androgynous decadent rock star who has become numb to the world through excessive drug use as a way to cope with life as a product of his corporate masters. He is in constant search of a girl named Coma White, and is not sure if she is real or simply a drug induced hallucination. His internal thoughts show how disassociated he is from the real world and all of his rock songs anthems are simply hollow. At the climax of the album in [[Untitled]], he comes to terms with his life and seems ready to make a choice but whether that choice is to change his life or end it is unclear. | |
| − | + | Finally,''[[Antichrist Superstar]]'' follows a man (named the Worm) who, like Adam Kadmon, attempts to lead a massive revolution against the world. His journey seems futile and frustrating until he finally snaps and becomes a fascistic, repressive tyrant, the eponymous "Antichrist Superstar", known alternatively as "The Disintegrator". He betrays everything the revolution fought for and along the way destroys everyone and everything around him declaring "When you are suffering know that I have betrayed you". | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | How these three plots link together, should it be linearly or separated is unknown and for the listener to decide. | |
==Trivia== | ==Trivia== | ||
Revision as of 17:53, 12 September 2009
The Triptych is comprised of three records Marilyn Manson released between 1996 and 2000: 1996's Antichrist Superstar, 1998's Mechanical Animals and 2000's Holy Wood (In the Shadow of the Valley of Death). Each album represents some semi-autobiographical aspect of Manson himself, and although made up of three records, it is considered one body of work by Manson and the fanbase.
Disclaimer
While the plot of the Triptych is often dissected and discussed by fans, it should be noted that little has been explained by the band and even that must be taken with a grain of salt. For example, Manson had initially conceived Mechanical Animals as a sequel to Antichrist Superstar, following the Worm after its fall from power. However, Holy Wood was released, the story was now to be read in an inversed order and suddenly Mechanical Animals was a prequel to Antichrist Superstar rather than its sequel. This shows that the actual story was not conceived linearly and ideas that originally representing or referring to one thing may now have a different meaning than what was originally intended.
The only official text on the matter, the Holy Wood Novel, remains unreleased and all other writings are pure fan speculation and conjecture. Some theorize that the three albums present a linear storyline with one character growing and transforming throughout. Others take the "triptych" term literally and interpret the albums as three separate stories that happen simultaneously to three separate characters, possibly in three separate worlds. More ambitious theories feel that Manson writes one continuous storyline throughout all his works and attempt to integrate ideas from other albums and EPs such as The Golden Age of Grotesque and Smells Like Children for example.
The theories are many, and can range from broad to detailed and from outlandish to logical. The only element they all have in common is that none are official. The official story has yet to be explained outright by Marilyn Manson (the man or the band). Even if it were to be explained now, Manson's personal perception of the story may have changed (just as it changed when he decided that the albums were no longer a linear duology but a reversed triptych) and an explanation entirely different from the original intent may be given.
In summary: when reading theories on the plot of the "triptych" keep in mind that it is all fan speculation and nothing more.
Plot
The Triptych's most commonly accepted timeline is accepted to begin with Holy Wood (In the Shadow of the Valley of Death), Mechanical Animals, and finally Antichrist Superstar, reversed from the actual release of each album. However, each album's interpretation is debatable, and far more so when interpreted as a whole story.
In "Holy Wood" the character is Adam Kadmom, a rebel from the Valley of Death, which is essentially a dwelling of "rejects". He leads a revolution against Holy Wood, which is populated by the rich and famous and powerful who oppress the Valley of Death and ruled by the corrupt President White and his daughter Coma White [1]. His revolution is a bitter sweet success in that while he does eradicate Holy Wood, the mainstream media soon transforms the revolution and makes it just as fake, profiteering, and hollow as Holy Wood. All of this leads to Adam playing Russian Roulette at the end of Count to Six and Die with his fate left unknown.
Mechanical Animals focuses on Omēga, an androgynous decadent rock star who has become numb to the world through excessive drug use as a way to cope with life as a product of his corporate masters. He is in constant search of a girl named Coma White, and is not sure if she is real or simply a drug induced hallucination. His internal thoughts show how disassociated he is from the real world and all of his rock songs anthems are simply hollow. At the climax of the album in Untitled, he comes to terms with his life and seems ready to make a choice but whether that choice is to change his life or end it is unclear.
Finally,Antichrist Superstar follows a man (named the Worm) who, like Adam Kadmon, attempts to lead a massive revolution against the world. His journey seems futile and frustrating until he finally snaps and becomes a fascistic, repressive tyrant, the eponymous "Antichrist Superstar", known alternatively as "The Disintegrator". He betrays everything the revolution fought for and along the way destroys everyone and everything around him declaring "When you are suffering know that I have betrayed you".
How these three plots link together, should it be linearly or separated is unknown and for the listener to decide.
Trivia
- There are 51 total tracks in the Triptych. Just as the Triptych unfolds in reverse, 51 reversed is 15, which is a recurring number in the band's work.
References
External links
- The Triptych at The NachtKabarett
