Orlando-based hard rockers Kings County are throwing down the gauntlet with their searing new cover of Marilyn Manson’s iconic 1996 track “The Beautiful People,” and it’s not just a tribute; it’s a transformation. This cover reimagines the snarling industrial-metal anthem with a fierce fusion of 90s rock, gothic flair, metalcore energy, and a fresh sonic punch that’s hard to ignore.
The band: Rob Dexter (vocals, bass), Steve Bell (guitars, vocals), Joe Lopez (drums), and Bill Kania (guitars, vocals), bring their trademark intensity to this nearly 30-year-old banger, swapping out some of Manson’s eerie malevolence for a more muscular, metal-forward sound. “We’ve always been fans of shock rock … but in the end, it really comes down to the song,” Dexter says. And with producer Chuck Alkazian on deck, Kings County built the track from the ground up, layering thunderous drums, razor-sharp guitars, and guttural screams into a sonic juggernaut that feels both nostalgic and now.
But it’s not just the sound that got an upgrade. The music video, directed by the ever-brilliant Jon Vulpine, elevates the track’s dark allure to cinematic heights. Shot in a derelict early 1900s mill in Rome, Georgia (yes, asbestos warnings and all), the gritty visuals channel a haunted post-apocalyptic aesthetic straight out of Stranger Things or The Walking Dead, fitting, since some of the crew have worked on those exact shows. The location’s raw decay echoes the themes of the song, giving viewers a visual jolt to match the track’s sonic power.
What’s particularly impressive is how Kings County walks a tightrope: maintaining the visceral essence of Manson’s original while dialing down its more sinister undertones. The result is a version that’s fierce yet accessible, powerful yet polished. Dexter’s vocals cut clean and crisp through the mix, giving the track a clarity that lets its rhythmic stomp and grinding guitars shine. If the original was a scream in the void, this is a roar on stage—amped up, glammed out, and ready for 2025.
More than just a cover band, Kings County has built a name on reinvention. From rocking Disneyworld as a house band to performing with illusionist Criss Angel, their journey is as unpredictable as it is intense. And with this release, they’re not just covering a legend, they’re challenging the legacy.
Whether you’re a diehard Manson fan or simply hungry for a fresh jolt of hard rock adrenaline, Kings County’s “The Beautiful People” delivers. With more cover tracks and originals on the way, it’s safe to say these guys are just getting started.
Covering the past and charging into the future; Kings County isn’t just keeping rock alive, they’re electrifying it!
