Marilyn Manson has officially announced his highly anticipated upcoming studio album, One Assassination Under God – Chapter 2, scheduled for release on August 14, 2026, through Nuclear Blast Records. The announcement comes alongside the debut of the lead single “Exit Wound,” marking a significant moment for the industrial rock icon as he addresses his resilience through years of public and legal controversies.
In a powerful statement accompanying the announcement, Manson reflected on his journey and artistic vision for the project. “I am proud to give you the second chapter of One Assassination Under God. This completes my story,” he declared. He further elaborated on his creative philosophy: “I used each stone that was thrown at me to sharpen my edges. I outgrew purgatory and carved these songs into the skin of the world. As you listen I hope it forms a scar that you cannot forget.” These words encapsulate the album’s thematic core—transformation through adversity and the artist’s determination to reclaim his narrative.
The announcement represents a continuation of Manson’s ambitious two-part project. The album serves as the follow-up to the first chapter and marks a pivotal moment in his career trajectory.
Nuclear Blast Records confirmed that One Assassination Under God – Chapter 2 is Marilyn Manson’s 13th studio album. This underscores the artist’s prolific career spanning decades. The album will be available in multiple collectible formats, including standard vinyl, marbled vinyl variants, and deluxe boxset editions. These formats cater to both casual listeners and dedicated collectors.
This multi-format approach reflects the label’s confidence in the project’s commercial and artistic significance. Pre-orders have already begun across multiple retailers. Nuclear Blast’s official shop offers exclusive boxset editions for fans seeking premium packaging and additional content.
The album features nine meticulously crafted tracks that showcase Manson’s artistic vision for this chapter. Napalm Records revealed the tracklist includes: “Unalive,” “Don’t Answer The Door,” “Front Toward Enemy,” “All The Vilest Things,” “The Arsonist,” “None of the Suns,” “Lucifer’s Teardrop,” “Exit Wound,” and “Enantiomorph.” Each track title carries thematic weight, suggesting an album deeply engaged with concepts of destruction, defiance, and transformation.
The song titles alone hint at the album’s darker, more introspective direction. Tracks like “Unalive” and “Front Toward Enemy” suggest that Manson is confronting his critics and detractors head-on. Songs such as “Lucifer’s Teardrop” and “Enantiomorph” suggest more philosophical and abstract explorations. The inclusion of “Exit Wound” as the lead single indicates that Manson is positioning this track as the album’s statement piece—a sonic and lyrical declaration of intent.
Revolver Magazine reported that this album represents the second installment of an ambitious narrative arc that Manson has been developing. The two-chapter structure allows the artist to expand his storytelling across a larger canvas. This creates a cohesive artistic statement that spans both releases. This approach is relatively uncommon in contemporary rock and metal music, positioning Manson as an artist willing to take creative risks.
The decision to structure the album as a two-part narrative demonstrates Manson’s commitment to artistic depth and conceptual ambition. By framing his work as chapters in an ongoing story, he invites listeners to engage with his music on a deeper level. Listeners treat the albums not merely as collections of songs but as interconnected artistic statements. This strategy also builds anticipation and investment among his fanbase, who are eager to see how the narrative unfolds across both chapters.
