Despite his wild years of hedonism, self-destruction and abrasive aesthetics, Manson has a deep-rooted philosophical side to him that's rarely talked about. This album is a prime example of that, and it's also one of the more earnest Manson projects of his career.
There are a lot of ways in which you can interpret Manson's lyrics on this record. The most obvious is that there are a number of themes that run throughout it - duality, self-reflection and the big one: death and rebirth.
"We Are Chaos" is the lead single and it represents dualism in a clear way. On the surface, it seems like a scathing attack on religion, but you'll need to dig a little deeper into this song if you want to see the bigger picture of what it is Manson's trying to convey here.
The first passage is a great example of this, as it references both gods and demons on the left and right of the spectrum. If you look closely at the lyric, it also implies that Manson has eyes that will reflect onto those who gaze into them - this is another subtle, but highly effective, example of wordplay on the part of Manson that will get you to think differently.
The lyric that follows is a little more subtle, but equally important as it carries the same dualism as the first, only this time it's in the context of death and rebirth. It's a really compelling way to look at what Manson has on offer here, and I believe it will be the most profound and meaningful track on the album.
