Best Monday this summer yet! These two rock icons team up together for the “Masters of Madness” tour and they did not disappoint at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. 

Marilyn Manson’s most recent full-length album, Born Villain, his eighth overall, debuted in the Top 10 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD earned Manson his fourth Grammy nomination at the 2013 Grammys in the Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance category for the album's lead single, “No Reflection”. Manson who came out with his skull gas mask, rocked “Angel with the Scabbed Wings”.  Although not closing he performed like the headliner. His onstage mannerisms and stage props kept the crowd and I enthralled. 

Classic tracks like “The Dope Show”, “Rock is Dead” and “Great Big White World” were performed seamlessly. “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” and “Personal Jesus” covers, added to his moody light show were well received. 

Ending his set with “Beautiful People” was perfect as the entire crowd was standing on their feet, punching their fists to the stage and chanting “HEY!” 

Then, in true Manson fashion, he turned his back, dropped his mic, and disappeared into the darkness. Metal. 

Closing the night, Alice Cooper was met with a thunderous welcome as the original Shock Rock Icon graced the stage. Three energetic guitarists, a bassist and a drummer who had boundless energy, locked on to Cooper’s direction and we were immediately off to his nightmare!

His set included hits like “No More Mr. Nice Guy”, “Hey Stoopid” “Feed my Frankenstein”, (enter 14ft puppet monster) “School’s Out”, as well as his 80’s hit “Poison” 

At times his moves had more cheesy greatness than Pizza Hut, but hey, we all would have been bummed if he didn’t come with his persona! We also witnessed his return after his beheading under an enormous guillotine. Cooper’s band also had their own blend of choreographed steps and just plain rockin’ out in Colorado!

Ending with “Im Eighteen” Marilyn Manson joined Cooper on stage and they ended the night in true dramatic and metal fashion.

Best. Monday. Yet.

Dave

 (Editors note: We did not have clearance to shoot Alice Cooper)