Ministry - Relapse
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When I first heard that a new Ministry album is being recorded, I couldn’t help but to feel anxious about it, not to mention having recalled an interview with Al Jourgensen for the Polish edition of Metal Hammer in which he claimed that ‘The Last Sucker’ is his last album with Ministry, after which he would record one more album with Revolting Cocks and end his career. At the same time he said that if he was ever going to return to the stage, one could surely say that he is making a dick out of himself. So Mr. Jourgensen, what’s it going to be? Are you making a dick out of yourself or not? Frankly, after listening to two, already released singles (‘99%’ and ‘Double Tap’) I was quite apprehensive, as I’ve found them average at best. But were my fears groundless? Seek the answer below.
First of all, the driving force behind Jourgensen has changed. Ever since the time of Bush Senior, politics was a constant inspiration for Ministry’s frontman, which reached its apex during the service of George W. It was to be a dramatic end of Jourgensen’s career, who was to put away his guns along with the man responsible for the war in Iraq, however as we all know now, Al couldn’t just sit idly, the result of which is ‘Relapse’. The title is most likely connected with Al’s health issues, who after years of excessive drinking and drug abuse managed to ‘cultivate’ ulcers, the number of which exceeds the number of fingers on both hands. So it does not come as a surprise that themes present in the lyrics are of ‘abusive’ character (among others). Is the title prophetic? Upcoming gigs will tell.
Putting that aside, let’s focus on the music, which is…fine. ‘The hell does that mean!?!’, a cry of discontent form the crowd, ‘Two paragraphs of introduction and the music is just ‘fine’!?!’. Well, yes, Al and Co. recorded an album which although brings no shame to the band, is not of the same level as ‘The Last Sucker’, which in my opinion is Ministry’s magnum opus. However, if Al wanted to make the fastest album in his career, then he succeeded, no doubt about it. Tracks are fast as hell, with occasional, slight pace slowing, which does not last long, I assure you. 50 minutes of aggressive ride (not counting the bonus remix), that’s the shortest description of ‘Relapse’ I can give you. However, as saying goes, there is always a ‘but’. Although many will find the music to their liking (even I managed to nod my head, especially to the first 3 tunes), after a while it came to me that yes, the music is fine, but it lacks a certain linchpin which would hold me to it for longer. The emotions the LP provokes are simply not as strong as those I experienced while listening to ‘The Last Sucker’ or my beloved ‘Animositisomina’. This makes me question the purpose of Ministry’s comeback, the purpose which for me right now is somewhere in the area of ‘We have some good material, let’s add a few more tracks to reach 10 and release a new album’. The final irony lies within the construction of the tunes, which with all their aggressiveness and fast pace, did not manage to blow my brain out. And I was kinda hoping for that. Shame.
Summing up, yes, Al made a dick out of himself, but not a large one. As I mentioned before, the album brings no shame and can, and will, be liked by many. The only real benefit of Ministry’s comeback, however, is their simultaneous return on tour, during which one will hear some older material. There is also hope that Al will not stop with ‘Relapse’ and record yet another album, which will grind my cojones to dust. Until that time comes, however, I’m of opinion that it would have been better if Ministry remained in the grave, cause although it’s a good mate of ours, it smells a bit, and one should keep their distance.
Tracklist:
01. Ghouldiggers
02. Double Tap
03. FreeFall
04. Kleptocracy
05. United Forces
06. 99%
07. Relapse
08. Weekend Warrior
09. Git Up Get Out 'n Vote
10. Bloodlust
11. Relapse (Defibrillator Mix)
First of all, the driving force behind Jourgensen has changed. Ever since the time of Bush Senior, politics was a constant inspiration for Ministry’s frontman, which reached its apex during the service of George W. It was to be a dramatic end of Jourgensen’s career, who was to put away his guns along with the man responsible for the war in Iraq, however as we all know now, Al couldn’t just sit idly, the result of which is ‘Relapse’. The title is most likely connected with Al’s health issues, who after years of excessive drinking and drug abuse managed to ‘cultivate’ ulcers, the number of which exceeds the number of fingers on both hands. So it does not come as a surprise that themes present in the lyrics are of ‘abusive’ character (among others). Is the title prophetic? Upcoming gigs will tell.
Putting that aside, let’s focus on the music, which is…fine. ‘The hell does that mean!?!’, a cry of discontent form the crowd, ‘Two paragraphs of introduction and the music is just ‘fine’!?!’. Well, yes, Al and Co. recorded an album which although brings no shame to the band, is not of the same level as ‘The Last Sucker’, which in my opinion is Ministry’s magnum opus. However, if Al wanted to make the fastest album in his career, then he succeeded, no doubt about it. Tracks are fast as hell, with occasional, slight pace slowing, which does not last long, I assure you. 50 minutes of aggressive ride (not counting the bonus remix), that’s the shortest description of ‘Relapse’ I can give you. However, as saying goes, there is always a ‘but’. Although many will find the music to their liking (even I managed to nod my head, especially to the first 3 tunes), after a while it came to me that yes, the music is fine, but it lacks a certain linchpin which would hold me to it for longer. The emotions the LP provokes are simply not as strong as those I experienced while listening to ‘The Last Sucker’ or my beloved ‘Animositisomina’. This makes me question the purpose of Ministry’s comeback, the purpose which for me right now is somewhere in the area of ‘We have some good material, let’s add a few more tracks to reach 10 and release a new album’. The final irony lies within the construction of the tunes, which with all their aggressiveness and fast pace, did not manage to blow my brain out. And I was kinda hoping for that. Shame.
Summing up, yes, Al made a dick out of himself, but not a large one. As I mentioned before, the album brings no shame and can, and will, be liked by many. The only real benefit of Ministry’s comeback, however, is their simultaneous return on tour, during which one will hear some older material. There is also hope that Al will not stop with ‘Relapse’ and record yet another album, which will grind my cojones to dust. Until that time comes, however, I’m of opinion that it would have been better if Ministry remained in the grave, cause although it’s a good mate of ours, it smells a bit, and one should keep their distance.
Tracklist:
01. Ghouldiggers
02. Double Tap
03. FreeFall
04. Kleptocracy
05. United Forces
06. 99%
07. Relapse
08. Weekend Warrior
09. Git Up Get Out 'n Vote
10. Bloodlust
11. Relapse (Defibrillator Mix)
