Even with my decidedly limited Ministry exposure, this album has a sound that strikes me as distinctly theirs. It is fast, thrashy metal with a heavy industrial influence. Right from the start the energy and pace are high. "Let's Go" starts off with the warning words that "A storm's a brewin'" before kicking in at full strength. It may have high energy and that signature industrial thrash sound, but the album doesn't truly launch until "Watch Yourself" begins. I love the way the song starts before moving into the chugging riff with the real and programmed percussion.
There is a definite flow of consistency throughout the album. Despite that fact, the songs have an up and down effect on me. It is almost an alternating love/hate throughout. The peaks come with the previously mentioned "Watch Yourself" and also includes the title track, the Cheney themed "The Dick Song," "The Last Sucker," "Death and Destruction," and the punkish flow of "Die in a Crash" featuring Fear Factory's Burton C. Bell on vocals (although I almost didn't recognize him). The Last Sucker closes with the two part "End of Days." It is two tracks totaling near fourteen minutes. This pair sounds really good as it tones down the industrial sounds and amps up a taste of the epic as Al Jourgensen closes out the days of his Ministry.
Bottomline. It may not be their best album, but it is likely not their least either. Al Jourgensen has said that he wants to go out on top of his game, and I would have to say that he succeeds. This is an eminently listenable album of industrial thrash. Ministry fans will not want to miss this. It may have its peaks and valleys, fortunately the valleys are still well above sea level.
Recommended.
Article comments
1 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
Unfortunately,Chris, I have to disagree..
I do believe it is a fast paced album but it also has the production values that I could expect from alot of Techno acts. Poor sampling and the overkill of focus on Mr. Bush. I mean, I can appreciate his hatred but that same hatred kept his mind off the musicianship. I'm pretty sure you have just as much political knowledge as Mr. Jourgensen but, unlike him, you don't claim to be a "Know-it-all".
Honestly,I would spend your hard-earned American Dollars on the new Alchemist CD. That band has an industrial feel with a deep heavy metal influence.
2 - Chris Beaumont
I still like it. :)
Still waiting to see some of your stuff?