Mötley Crüe guitarist John 5 recently revealed the existence of unreleased recordings with Marilyn Manson. He described them as some of the most aggressive music the shock rocker has ever created, in an interview with Guitar Interactive Magazine.
John 5 discussed his collaborative history with Manson and shared details about their recent private recording sessions. When asked about his introduction to Manson’s music and the making of “Astonishing Panorama of the End Times,” John 5 reflected on their creative partnership.
“It’s very strange, because working with so many artists over the years, you have a connection. And it’s so hard to explain. It’s just when you have a connection with somebody, like a friend or something, you’re like, ‘Oh, I really get along with this person.’ And Manson is one of those people,” John 5 said.
He described their initial studio work and how their collaboration naturally evolved into creating hit songs.
“We got in the studio. I don’t remember what the song was for, if it was for MTV celebrity death match, or if it was like a single or something, but we got in there, and it all just came together; me and Twiggy [Ramirez, bass] were working, and then he said, ‘Just go nuts.’ And I went nuts with the solo and things like that,” he continued. “Then, when we started writing, it all flowed. ‘The Fight Song’, ‘Disposable Teens’ [from the 2000 LP ‘Holy Wood (In the Shadow of the Valley of Death)’], ‘Mobscene’, ‘The New Shit’ [from 2003’s ‘The Golden Age of Grotesque’]… All these songs just were coming, coming, coming.”
John 5 then revealed the existence of new, unreleased material recorded during recent sessions with Manson.
“You know what? I’m gonna tell you a secret. So, so you know, me and Manson are friends, and we got together just to work on some stuff… But nothing for anything [major], it was just like friends getting together, messing around. And I will tell you, I will listen back to that, and it is the most aggressive, exciting Manson music I think I’ve ever heard. It’s unbelievable, and it’s just sitting on my phone,” he revealed.
This revelation comes as John 5 continues to maintain an active presence in the music industry. He balances his commitments with multiple high-profile projects and collaborations.
Guitar Interactive Magazine reported that John 5’s February 2026 interview covered not only his unreleased Marilyn Manson material but also his broader musical endeavors and touring plans. John 5 has been actively discussing his various projects and collaborations throughout his career. This demonstrates his continued relevance in the rock and metal scene.
The partnership between John 5 and Marilyn Manson represents a significant chapter in both artists’ careers. John 5’s contributions to Manson’s band extended beyond just guitar work. He became deeply involved in the songwriting process that produced some of Manson’s most commercially successful tracks. Their creative chemistry resulted in multiple hit singles that defined Manson’s sound during the early 2000s.
The existence of these unreleased recordings highlights the ongoing friendship and musical connection between the two artists. While the recordings remain private and stored only on John 5’s phone, their existence suggests that both musicians continue to find creative inspiration in their collaboration. This occurs even outside of official recording projects or commercial releases.
YouTube documented that John 5 has been discussing his touring and new music plans for 2026. This indicates that he remains actively engaged in creating and performing music across multiple projects. This continued activity in the music industry positions him well to potentially revisit and develop the unreleased Manson material in the future, should both artists decide to pursue it further.
