Veteran guitarist John 5 — known for his work with Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie, and his solo instrumental catalog — has shared an exciting update about previously unreleased recordings with Marilyn Manson that he says are some of the most aggressive and exciting material he’s ever heard from Manson.
In a recent interview, John 5 dropped hints that these tracks exist — describing them as a friend‑to‑friend creative session that wasn’t initially intended for release, but ended up capturing something powerful and unleashed.
“I’m gonna tell you a secret… you know, me and Manson are friends, and we got together just to work on some stuff… it was just like friends getting together, messing around.” John 5 explained.
That casual beginning, he says, led to something that has stayed with him — and, by his description, stands out even against the many aggressive recordings Manson has released over his career.
“And I will tell you, I will listen back to that, and it is the most aggressive, exciting Manson music I think I’ve ever heard. It’s unbelievable, and it’s just sitting on my phone.”
A Rare Peek Behind the Scenes
John 5’s comments are significant because they aren’t just idle praise. When he says a piece of music is “the most aggressive, exciting Manson music” he’s ever heard, that’s saying a lot — especially considering Manson’s long catalog of dark, confrontational, and heavy material.
The sessions John 5 described weren’t planned as studio work for an album. Instead, they were informal creative jam sessions between two seasoned musicians who have worked together in the past. The environment was light, casual, and born out of friendship — not label pressure or tour deadlines.
But despite that easy start, according to John 5, the results ended up taking on a life of their own.
What Makes These Recordings So Special?
While John 5 didn’t reveal specific song titles, lyrics, or even how many tracks were recorded, his description points to a few standout qualities:
Manson is no stranger to aggression in his music — from Antichrist Superstar to The Pale Emperor — but John 5 suggests these tracks go even further in intensity and energy.
Because the sessions were informal and low‑pressure, both musicians reportedly felt free to push boundaries and experiment without concern for commercial expectations.
John 5’s emphasis on their personal relationship suggests the music came from a space of mutual trust, not business — which often allows artists to produce their most thrilling work.
John 5 and Marilyn Manson’s History
John 5 (birth name John William Lowery) has been a longtime collaborator in the rock and metal scene, walking the line between technical brilliance and genre‑bending creativity. He first joined Marilyn Manson’s band in the mid‑2000s, contributing to albums like The High End of Low and Born Villain and helping shape the group’s live sound with his distinctive guitar work.
His time with Manson record‑wise and on tour earned him respect in both fan communities and among fellow musicians, giving weight to his comments about these unreleased tracks.
