Marilyn Manson has returned with a shadow-drenched take on Phil Collins’ iconic 1981 single “In the Air Tonight”, reimagining the slow-burning pop classic with menacing synths, growling guitars, and a gothic flair that’s become a signature of the shock rocker’s catalogue.
Released as part of a maxi single — which included B-side “As Sick As The Secrets Of (Sleep)” and sold out in just four hours — Manson’s “In the Air Tonight” is now available for streaming, offering fans a darker lens through which to experience the haunting original.
The track follows his latest album, One Assassination Under God – Chapter 1, out now via Nuclear Blast Records.
The release marks Manson’s 12th studio album and his first major project since a wave of abuse allegations threatened to end his career entirely.
Musically, Manson’s take on Collins sticks eerily close to the original’s tension-filled pacing, but adds layers of dread: distorted guitars simmer beneath breathy vocals, while the song’s famous drum break crashes in with grim satisfaction.
It’s a formula fans of his “Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)” and “Tainted Love” covers will find familiar — a nostalgic pop hit, twisted through Manson’s lens of darkness and decay.
But any conversation about Manson’s music today is impossible without acknowledging the wider context.
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Since early 2021, Manson (real name Brian Warner) has faced a series of disturbing allegations, most prominently from former partner Evan Rachel Wood, who accused him of grooming, abuse, and psychological torment.
Several other women came forward with similar claims, prompting a police investigation, lawsuits, and intense public scrutiny.
Late last year, Manson settled a defamation lawsuit he filed against Wood and her associate Illma Gore, stemming from their involvement in the documentary Phoenix Rising, which detailed the allegations.
Manson agreed to pay nearly £327,000 in Wood’s attorneys’ fees, according to legal documents obtained by Rolling Stone.
While Manson has consistently denied all claims, the legal battles and testimonies — including accusations that he locked women in soundproof rooms and made threats against Wood’s child — have cast a long shadow over his attempted return to the spotlight.
Despite this, Manson is forging ahead. With One Assassination Under God – Chapter 1 out now and a new US tour beginning May 2nd in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the embattled musician seems intent on reclaiming space in the cultural conversation — even if that space remains fraught.
“In the Air Tonight” is available now via Nuclear Blast Records.
Stream or purchase One Assassination Under God – Chapter 1 here.
