Learn to Play "mOBSCENE" by Marilyn Manson

If you're looking to dive into the gritty, industrial tones of early 2000s hard rock, Marilyn Manson’s “mOBSCENE” is a perfect track to add to your repertoire. At LickLibrary.com, our note-for-note guitar lesson breaks down this iconic anthem, helping you understand and master the guitar techniques used throughout the song. Whether you're looking to enhance your rhythm playing, sharpen your articulation, or get comfortable with genre-specific textures, this lesson offers something for guitarists at a variety of levels. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Song: “mOBSCENE”

Released in 2003 as part of the "The Golden Age of Grotesque" album, “mOBSCENE” is a heavy-hitting, groove-laden industrial rock anthem. Its guitar parts are both hypnotic and aggressive, driven by a chugging riff that perfectly complements Manson’s theatrical vocal delivery. The song features crunchy, distorted guitars that create a powerful wall of sound while still leaving room for rhythmic precision and subtle embellishments.

Guitar Techniques Covered in the Lesson

Palm Muting

One of the most prominent features in “mOBSCENE” is its tight, chuggy riffing, built around aggressive use of palm muting. Palm muting allows players to create a percussive, staccato tone that gives the riff its industrial punch. Learning this technique improves your dynamic control and right-hand accuracy—essential for mastering rhythm guitar in rock and metal styles.

Power Chords

At the core of the rhythm work are heavy, overdriven power chords, giving the song its foundational heaviness. Power chords are a cornerstone of rock and metal, and mastering them helps build finger strength and tight chord transitions.

Slides

The song incorporates gritty slides between chord shapes and notes, enhancing the raw, live-sounding energy of the riff. Slides add a vocal-like quality to your playing and help with fretboard navigation and expressive phrasing.

Pinched Harmonics

Throughout the track, subtle pinched harmonics can be heard, cutting through the mix with a sharp, squealing edge. This technique is great for adding attitude to your tone and developing precise right-hand control.

Alternate Picking

To play the main riffs with the required tightness and drive, alternate picking is crucial. This technique builds speed and efficiency in your picking hand, making your playing more fluid and accurate—especially at higher tempos.

String Bending

Though more subtly applied in this song compared to blues-based tracks, there are instances of expressive string bending, particularly in the lead embellishments. String bending is vital for emotional expression, helping notes sing with human-like phrasing and inflection.

Why Learn These Techniques?

Each of the techniques in this lesson is carefully selected to help guitarists grow in multiple areas:

• Palm Muting & Power Chords strengthen your rhythm playing and tone control, building a solid foundation for heavier genres.
• Slides & Pinched Harmonics improve fretboard fluidity and expressive depth, adding flair to your lead and rhythm parts.
• Alternate Picking enhances your speed and control, crucial for both soloing and riffing.
• String Bending refines your ear and expressive articulation, adding personality to every note you play.

Learning these in the context of a full, well-known song helps reinforce technique with musical application—making practice more rewarding and engaging.

About the Guitarists Behind the Track

The guitar work on “mOBSCENE” was performed by Tim Skold and John 5—both renowned for their distinct approaches to rock and metal guitar. John 5, in particular, is celebrated for his technical prowess and genre versatility, blending industrial rock with elements of country, shred, and blues. His influence on Marilyn Manson’s sound during this period was profound, helping to shape the darker, more aggressive guitar tones found on The Golden Age of Grotesque.

Tim Skold brought a more electronic and industrial sensibility to the mix, adding a mechanical, rhythmic tightness to the guitars. Their combined work created the cold, dystopian soundscape that defines “mOBSCENE.”

Learning this track not only helps you develop essential guitar skills—it also offers insight into how professional guitarists craft compelling parts that serve the song, not just the instrument.

Guitar Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Palm Muting
• Power Chords
• Slides
• Pinched Harmonics
• Alternate Picking
• String Bending

Whether you're a Manson fan, an aspiring metal player, or simply looking to tighten up your rhythm chops, this “mOBSCENE” guitar lesson on LickLibrary.com offers the perfect combination of style, substance, and skill-building. Dive in and take your playing to the next level.