Raise the Red Flag

"Raise the Red Flag"
Single by Marilyn Manson
from the album One Assassination Under God – Chapter 1
B-side"Front Toward Enemy"
ReleasedAugust 16, 2024 (2024-08-16)
GenreIndustrial metal
Length4:49
LabelNuclear Blast
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Manson
  • Bates
Marilyn Manson singles chronology
"As Sick as the Secrets Within"
(2024) 		"Raise the Red Flag"
(2024) 		"Sacrilegious"
(2024)
Music video
"Raise the Red Flag" on YouTube

"Raise the Red Flag" is a song by American rock band Marilyn Manson from their twelfth studio album, One Assassination Under God – Chapter 1. It was released on August 16, 2024, via Nuclear Blast, and was the band's second single in two weeks, following "As Sick as the Secrets Within". Nuclear Blast issued a limited edition CD maxi single, which was limited to 3,000 copies worldwide and included "As Sick as the Secrets Within" and another new song titled "Front Toward Enemy". The latter song was exclusive to the CD, and does not feature on digital editions of the single.

The song's music video was directed by Bill Yukich, who also directed the video for "As Sick as the Secrets Within". It is a performance-based video featuring appearances from the band's current line-up, which consists of Tyler Bates, Gil Sharone, Piggy D and Reba Meyers. The latter received criticism on social media for joining the band, although she received support from other metal musicians and other members of Manson's band. The song was a commercial success upon release, debuting within the top ten of numerous Billboard charts, and reaching a career-high peak on the UK Singles Sales Chart.

Composition and style

Revolver said the track "leans into a more industrialized, dancefloor-ready vibe, with distorted vocals and a churning beat throughout".[1] Both Blabbermouth.net and AntiMusic called it "anthemic",[2][3] while Metal Injection said it "certainly packs more of a punch" than "As Sick as the Secrets Within".[4] The song's chorus consists of the lyric: "It's time to beat up the bullies/And wash the bullseye off my back/My red flag is your white one soaked in blood."[1]

Release and promotion

The track was issued as a single by Nuclear Blast on August 16, 2024, just two weeks after "As Sick as the Secrets Within".[5] That same day, the label released a CD maxi single,[4] which was limited to 3,000 copies worldwide.[2][3] The CD single contained an exclusive b-side titled "Front Toward Enemy".[6][7] A music video for "Raise the Red Flag", directed by Bill Yukich, was also released on August 16.[2] Yukich had directed the music videos for "As Sick as the Secrets Within",[3] as well as videos for the band's previous songs "Kill4Me", "Say10", and "Tattooed in Reverse".[8] "Raise the Red Flag" is a performance-based video, and features the song being performed by the band's current line-up: Tyler Bates, Gil Sharone, Piggy D and Reba Meyers.[9]

Meyers was criticized on social media after it was revealed she had joined Manson's band.[10][11] She released a statement three days after the release of the music video, saying she was "proud to represent the growth, confidence, forgiveness, humanity, and change that comes with this, and to be up there [on stage and in the video] with such talented motherfuckers. Everyone is aiming for growth and not stagnation. World needs that attitude right now. Thanks to all the new peeps that have been showing love and support my way." She received messages of support from Ray Luzier of Korn, Andy Williams of Every Time I Die, Greg Puciato of Better Lovers, and her bandmates Piggy D and Gil Sharone.[12]

Commercial performance

"Raise the Red Flag" debuted at number two on Billboard's Hard Rock Digital Song Sales, making it their second single to enter the chart that month, following the number one peak of "As Sick as the Secrets Within" two weeks earlier. "Raise the Red Flag" was the band's third song to peak at number two on that chart, alongside "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" and "Deep Six".[13] The song peaked in the top ten of several other Billboard charts. It was their fourth top ten single on Alternative Digital Song Sales,[14] their fifth top ten single on Rock Digital Song Sales.[15] and peaked at number eight on Hot Hard Rock Songs.[16]

The song was also successful in the United Kingdom, peaking at number 35 on the UK Singles Sales Chart, their highest ever peak on that chart. It peaked at number 55 on the UK Singles Downloads Chart, and in the top ten of the UK Physical Singles Chart, their first placement on that chart since their cover of "God's Gonna Cut You Down" in 2020.[17]

Formats and track listings

  • Digital single
  1. "Raise the Red Flag" – 4:49
  2. "As Sick as the Secrets Within" – 5:35
  1. "Raise the Red Flag" – 4:49
  2. "As Sick as the Secrets Within" – 5:35
  3. "Front Toward Enemy" – 4:26

Charts

Chart performance for "Raise the Red Flag"
Chart (2024) Peak
position
Australia Digital Tracks (ARIA)[18] 37
UK Singles Downloads (OCC)[19] 55
UK Singles Sales (OCC)[20] 35
UK Physical Singles (OCC)[21] 9
US Hot Hard Rock Songs (Billboard)[16] 8

References

  1. ^ a b Adams, Gregory (August 16, 2024). "Hear Marilyn Manson's Industrialized New Song 'Raise the Red Flag'". Revolver. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c "Marilyn Manson Shares Music Video For 'Raise The Red Flag'". Blabbermouth.net. August 16, 2024. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c "Watch Marilyn Manson's 'Raise The Red Flag'". antiMusic. August 17, 2024. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  4. ^ a b Kennelty, Greg (August 16, 2024). "Marilyn Manson Streams Second New Single 'Raise The Red Flag'". Metal Injection. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
  5. ^ "Marilyn Manson Releases New Song 'Raise The Red Flag'". Blabbermouth.net. August 16, 2024. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  6. ^ "Marilyn Manson - Raise the Red Flag Ltd. - Maxi Single CD". Nuclear Blast. August 16, 2024. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Raise the Red Flag" (CD maxi single). Marilyn Manson. Nuclear Blast. 2024. 4 065629 73152–6.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. ^ Adams, Gregory (August 2, 2024). "Marilyn Manson debuts first new song since abuse accusations 'As Sick as the Secrets Within'". Revolver. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  9. ^ DiVita, Joe (August 16, 2024). "Marilyn Manson Debuts Eerie New Song 'Raise the Red Flag'". Loudwire. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  10. ^ Adams, Gregory (August 19, 2024). "Code Orange's Reba Meyers Speaks Out On Joining Marilyn Manson's Band". Revolver. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  11. ^ Childers, Chad (August 19, 2024). "Code Orange's Reba Meyers issues first statement on playing with Marilyn Manson". Loudwire. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  12. ^ Dunworth, Liberty (August 20, 2024). "Code Orange's Reba Meyers says she's 'proud to represent growth, confidence, forgiveness, humanity, and change' after joining Marilyn Manson's live band". NME. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  13. ^ McIntyre, Hugh (August 28, 2024). "Marilyn Manson Nearly Hits No. 1 For The Second Time In A Month". Forbes. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  14. ^ "Marilyn Manson Chart History (Alternative Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  15. ^ "Marilyn Manson Chart History (Hot Rock Digital Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
  16. ^ a b "Marilyn Manson Chart History (Hot Hard Rock Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  17. ^ "Marilyn Manson Songs and Albums | Full Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  18. ^ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 26 August 2024". The ARIA Report. No. 1799. Australian Recording Industry Association. August 26, 2024. p. 9.
  19. ^ "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  20. ^ "Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  21. ^ "Official Physical Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 23, 2024.