In 2014, Bates co-wrote and produced Marilyn Manson's record "The Pale Emperor". The album debuted at number 8 on the Billboard 200, while the single "Deep Six" went on to chart higher than any other single by Marilyn Manson on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Chart. Bates joined the band in 2015 as the lead guitarist for The Hell Not Hallelujah Tour. The album's song "Cupid Carries a Gun" was used as the opening title music of the TV show "Salem", and Bates composed the show's score. In April 2015 he left Marilyn Manson to resume film work.