Why does a rat desert a ship? Marilyn Manson keyboardist, drummer and producer Chris Vrenna announced yesterday that, after seven years, he and the self-proclaimed God of Fuck would be parting ways. The announcement comes now, shortly after a release date for Born Villain – Manson's forthcoming eighth album and first for new label Cooking Vinyl – was confirmed for February, 2012. "I'm incredibly proud of the work I did with Manson and look forward to the release of Born Villain. I wish my brothers well but, with the recording largely completed, I felt it was time to return to other facets of my career which involves production work, film scoring, and future musical collaborations," explained Vrenna.
Vrenna first rose to prominence in the early Nineties as a full-time member of Nine Inch Nails, having been a permanent member of Trent Reznor's band since its inception and for the following eight years before striking out on his own to begin focusing on solo recording and production work. In addition to Nine Inch Nails, Vrenna's production and programming credits include the work with Smashing Pumpkins, Marilyn Manson, Guns n' Roses and, most recently, work on Evanescence's self-titled album, released in 2011. Vrenna has also established himself as a post-production star, and has remixed tracks for U2, Nelly Furtado, Rammstein and Slipknot to significant acclaim. He first became associated with Marilyn Manson in 2004 as the fill-in drummer when Ginger Fish was on injured leave, and co-produced the band's seventh album, The High End Of Low, in 2008. It was then announced that Vrenna had replaced Madonna Wayne Gacy in the band's 'keyboardist' seat before another announcement came down that the producer would be re-taking the drum seat following Ginger Fish's departure in April 2011. Now, Vrenna is out the door too – leaving Marilyn Manson in a tenuous position without a confirmed keyboardist OR drummer [the only confirmed members of Marilyn Manson at this time are Fred Sabian on bass, reinstated guitarist Jeordie “Twiggy Ramirez” White and Brian “Marilyn Manson” Warner on vocals –ed].
With so much regular upheaval in the band's lineup in the background, the answer to why a rat would desert a ship seems simple: because it's sinking. How well Born Villain will be received upon release is uncertain, but more uncertain is how the band plans to promote it with the group at half-strength.
Artist:
www.chrisvrenna.com/
www.tweaker.net/
marilynmanson.com/
