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Marilyn Manson’s New Album Marks A Career Low For The Controversial Star
Hollywood & Entertainment Marilyn Manson’s New Album Marks A Career Low For The Controversial Star By Hugh McIntyre ,
Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Hugh McIntyre covers music, with a focus on the global charts. Follow Author Aug 30, 2026, 08:45am EDT --:-- / --:-- This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more . This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more . Summary Marilyn Manson reaches a new career low on the Billboard 200 as 'One Assassination Under God: Chapter 2' debuts at No. 41. The project becomes his first traditional studio album to miss the top 40 after every release of that kind since his debut reached that region. It also marks his first set to miss the top 10 on the Top Rock & Alternative Albums chart.
Marilyn Manson has been regarded as controversial from the moment the singer – who shares his moniker with his namesake band – broke onto the Billboard charts roughly 30 years ago. At first, Manson was a lightning rod because of his public image and the lyrics in his songs, but more recently, several women accused him of sexual assault and domestic abuse. Manson denied the allegations, and Los Angeles County prosecutors announced in January 2025 that they would not bring criminal charges, as some of the allegations were outside the statute of limitations and others could apparently not be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
Those controversies may help explain Manson’s tumble on the Billboard charts, though it is also possible that after decades, Americans have simply moved on. That is the case with many musical acts that become commercially successful, as maintaining that level of popularity for decades is incredibly difficult.
Manson is back with a new album titled One Assassination Under God: Chapter 2 – it is the second half of a two-part release – and the project brings him to a new career low on the most important ranking of albums in America.
One Assassination Under God: Chapter 2 misses arriving inside the top 40 on this week’s Billboard 200 by a single space. The project starts on the tally at No. 41, and it is Manson’s first traditional studio album to fail to enter the region.
His debut full-length, Portrait of an American Family , did not reach the Billboard 200 at all, but since then, every regular album, as well as an EP and a compilation, have found their way into the top 40.
Two years ago, One Assassination Under God: Chapter 1 brought Manson to a new career low among his studio albums when it peaked at No. 32 on the Billboard 200. His previous full-length, We Are Chaos , had reached as high as No. 8.
Looking only at Manson’s 16 titles that have landed somewhere on the Billboard 200, only two have peaked in less impressive positions than One Assassination Under God: Chapter 2 . The Last Tour on Earth , his only live album to chart, stalled at No. 82. Remix & Repent debuted at No. 102 nearly 30 years ago and disappeared quickly.
One Assassination Under God: Chapter 2 debuts on seven Billboard charts this week, and it only misses out on launching within the top 10 on two of them. In addition to its No. 41 start on the Billboard 200, the project begins its time at No. 11 on the Top Rock & Alternative Albums chart. It is now Manson’s first release to miss the top 10 on the ranking of the most-consumed rock and alternative projects in the United States.
On the other five American charts where One Assassination Under God: Chapter 2 arrives, Manson scores a new top 10. The second part of the musician’s multi-album project kicks off its time in the runner-up space on the Top Hard Rock Albums chart, its loftiest entry point on any list. The set also opens at No. 4 on both the Top Album Sales and Vinyl Albums rankings, No. 8 on the Top Alternative Albums tally and No. 10 on the Top Rock Albums roster.
Whole One Assassination Under God: Chapter 2 may miss out on becoming another No. 1 for Manson on the Top Hard Rock Albums chart, but he has already ruled the ranking five times. His winning streak began with The High End of Low in 2009. Born Villain , The Pale Emperor , Heaven Upside Down and We Are Chaos followed it to the summit over a period of several years.
One Assassination Under God: Chapter 1 similarly stalled at No. 2 in December 2024. Eat Me, Drink Me is Manson’s only release to reach the Top Hard Rock Albums chart but miss the top 10, as it debuted and peaked at No. 12 in the summer of 2007.
Manson released “Exit Wound,” the first single from One Assassination Under God: Chapter 2 , back in June. This week, the track can only be found on the Mainstream Rock Airplay chart, the sole Billboard songs ranking where it currently appears. “Exit Wound” climbs two spaces from No. 26 to a new peak of No. 24 as it nears two months on the rundown.
Marilyn Manson'sOne Assassination Under GodChapterBillboard
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