10 Greatest Shock Rock Acts

When the 90's were getting underway, rock became a lot more authentic in terms of presentation, with bands from Green Day and Nirvana playing purely from the heart. On the other side of the spectrum, the industrial boom generated by Nine Inch Nails offered a pitch black look at the nature of man. Amid this scene, Marilyn Manson came to the forefront and shocked the world.

Originally named Brian Warner, Manson wanted to put together an image for what would be the most heinous public figure that the rock world had ever seen. Across industrial rock staples like Antichrist Superstar and Mechanical Animals, Manson cultivated a presence that spat on everything pure in pop culture while also criticizing the entire media process. This was on full display at the band's live shows, where Manson played a fascist dictator and even tore up the Bible as a part of his act.

The cult of personality around Manson even landed him in hot water when he was blamed for the Columbine Massacre in the late 90's. As he progresses by leaps and bounds, Manson has made a name for himself as a shock rock essential who wants to get his fans to think as much as he wants to terrify them.