NEW YORK • No, it was not a stage act calculated to ramp up the thrill factor at a concert featuring shock rocker Marilyn Manson.

Last Saturday, the American musician was pinned down by a falling stage prop during a show in New York.

The theatrical singer is known for his violent imagery, but the crowd soon realised that the incident was no stunt and his show was abruptly ended mid-way.

A representative said Manson was taken to a hospital, but offered no details of his condition or the incident at the 2,200-capacity Hammerstein Ballroom in Manhattan.

Video footage posted by several fans showed Manson singing his band's cover of the Eurythmics' Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) in front of a stage prop of two giant pistols pointing in opposite directions.

After screaming out the line, "Some of them want to be abused", he appeared to try to climb onto the gun sculpture, whose backing ladder then fell over him.

The band played on for about 20 seconds as crew members raced on the scene.

The venue then went completely dark as the singer was taken away.

The incident is the second in as many days for the 48-year-old, whose real name is Brian Warner.

Last Friday night in Pittsburgh, he was nearing the end of his set when he slipped from the stage as he reached out to touch fans.

He is seen in a video limping back and telling the crowd that he broke his ankle, though he appeared fully mobile a day later in New York.

The injuries come as Manson prepares to release his 10th studio album, Heaven Upside Down, on Friday.

He has tour dates scheduled through December across North America and Europe.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE