MARILYN MANSON Left Out Of Buffalo OZZFEST Date

MARILYN MANSON has been left out of the lineup of Ozzfest when the tour comes to Six Flags Darien Lake in Darien Center, Genesee County, Aug. 11, reports Democrat and Chronicle.

According to Six Flags Darien Lake spokeswoman Lauren Spallone, "Several people in the area expressed an uncomfortable feeling about having that artist in our area."

Spallone did not elaborate on how many area residents complained about Manson, how they made their feelings known or what it was about Manson they specifically objected to.

Spallone says the park last spring notified both Clear Channel Communications, the promoter of the tour, and Manson's agent that the park would use its contractual right to restrict artists from performing. "We decided to pass on the Marilyn Manson performance," says an e-mailed statement from the venue.

Noise and traffic problems associated with concerts there have long been a source of contention between the park and the rural community surrounding it.

Clear Channel Communications said in a statement, "It's a Six Flags decision" but stressed that Manson is welcome to play in Buffalo venues as he previously has.

In other news, Billboard has reported that despite vocal opposition from local political groups, Marilyn Manson's Saturday (June 7) concert at Milan's Mazda Palace as part of the Gods Of Metal festival will go ahead as scheduled.

The artist originally was to have appeared in nearby Monza, but was prevented from doing so by its city council. The venue was subsequently switched to Milan, where members of the city council also protested. Milan's city council was due to vote on the matter on May 22, but the debate did not take place and, as a result, the concert will.

Locals had objected on such grounds that the performance was offensive and would likely corrupt the youth audience.

Monza's decision to ban Manson and Milan's threat to do so were described by Roberto Meglioli, president of the concert promoters association Assomusica, and Enzo Mazza, director general of record industry body FIMI, as a dangerous case of "cultural censorship."