Shock rock

Shock rock (also known as horror rock) is a subgenre of rock music which primarily focuses on highly theatrical live performances emphasizing shock value. The term was originally coined in December 1966 by journalist Robert Shelton to describe Frank Zappa and his group the Mothers of Invention. However, the phrase was later popularized during the late 1960s and early 1970s to refer to acts such as Arthur Brown, Alice Cooper and Iggy Pop. Artists such as Screamin' Jay Hawkins and Screaming Lord Sutch were later regarded as precursors and influences to the genre. By the 1990s and 2000s, "shock rock" was used as a term to describe Marilyn Manson.

Performances may include violent or provocative behavior from the artists, the use of attention-grabbing imagery such as costumes, masks, or face paint, or special effects such as pyrotechnics or fake blood. Shock rock also often includes elements of horror.