the NachtKabarett

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"I'm not a slave"; performance of The Fight Song with Manson made up in black face wearing Manson Mouse ears above a rodent Death's Head emblem on the Grotesk Burlesk. Manson's own version of the Nuremberg rallies which brings together the dichotomy of the polar opposites of expressionism and fascism.

Thematically, Manson's mock portrayal of fascism and Nazi imagery is reminiscent of Charlie Chaplin's highly controversial 1940 film, The Great Dictator, in which he ridicules Hitler & the Nazi party by satire, using comedy as a means to warn the world of the very real dangers of the impending fascism of the late 30's. And Manson has done so in a very similar sense in regard to the parallels of repression today, both by religion & government but also to decry the imposition of self-censorship which is forced and ingrained into society today.

German Kaiser Wilhelm II and August Von Mackensen, respectively, wearing a Hussar Death's Head busby. The Hussar, who originated in 15th century Hungary, is a term which applies to the ornately uniformed members of European light cavalry. The Death's Head Hussars originated in Prussia, now modern day Germany, and can be looked at as something of an early precursor in the German military to the Nazi Schutzstaffel (or SS) Death's Head squadron. August Von Mackensen joined the elite Death's Head (or Totenkopf) Hussar at the age of 19, fighting "with distinction" in the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71) subsequently becoming something of a German military hero in the First World War. Though retired he joined the Nazi party 1933. (Link)