"Mechanical Animals" is the third studio album by the American rock band Marilyn Manson, released on September 15, 1998, by Interscope Records. While retaining elements of the band’s industrial metal style, the album features a more melodic sound influenced by glam rock artists such as David Bowie, T. Rex, and Queen. Its lyrical themes focus on fame, alienation, and drug addiction. A concept album and rock opera, "Mechanical Animals" serves as the second part of a trilogy that also includes "Antichrist Superstar" (1996) and "Holy Wood (In the Shadow of the Valley of Death)" (2000). According to Marilyn Manson, the trilogy’s narrative is presented in reverse chronological order, with "Mechanical Animals" acting as the central link between the two stories. The album was certified platinum in the United States, Canada, and New Zealand. It produced the singles "The Dope Show," "Rock Is Dead," and "I Don’t Like the Drugs (But the Drugs Like Me)," along with the promotional single "Coma White." "The Dope Show" was additionally certified gold in Sweden. Upon release, "Mechanical Animals" debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, marking the band’s first album to achieve this position. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.