Let me tell you about Marilyn Manson's new video before you decide whether or not to watch it. If you're under the age of majority, please don't even read on.
Most of the "Running to the Edge of the World" clip features Manson emotively singing to the camera. Eventually we see him after a crime has been committed, and then the crime is revealed...we see Manson brutally and mercilessly beating a woman to death. He leaves her bloody, naked body in the bathtub.
You can find the video here if you feel the need.
I have to say it...this is just wrong.
I think the band's new album is great, and it's my understanding that some of Manson's inspiration for it came from his break-up with actress Evan Rachel Wood. So he releases the record on which he expresses his feelings and then he releases this video? It's like he said "here's the art, and now here's the porn."
I've never been shocked by anything Marilyn Manson has done and I'm still not shocked. I'm disgusted. After all these years of being a fan, I feel he's crossed the line.
I think the inclusion of the scene is childish and sadistic.
Given the song's subject matter, I can't help but think he chose this direction for the video in order to be able to say "Yeah, I went there."
I think Manson's always done quite well at explaining and defending, if need be, why what he does is art and how it should therefore be respected. No explanation will be good enough this time.
Someone watching the video might be influenced by it in a very negative way, not to mention that the actress in the video is probably meant to portray a specific young woman.
How incredibly irresponsible.