Review by Rick Eaglestone for MPM
Industrial Juggernaut Ministry are back with new album HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES
Opener B.D.E. serves as a public service announcement, never shying away from difficult topics its encased in nineties tones which only adds to the overall presentation.
Following this is Goddam White Trash which fires through the industrial elements in their droves.
Just Stop Oil sees venomous vocals combined with Surf Guitar which I am absolutely here for! The overall presentation with the clip style elements is something that Ministry excel in, and this track is just further proof of that.
Aryan Embarrassment slithers through with some nice reverse elements also featuring contributions fromJello Biafra, whilst TV Song is a rampant and relentless petrol bomb with twisting solos, sirens and pounding drum patterns.
“Just like you or anybody else, I’m simply a passenger in this lifetime,” he observes. “I’m watching social changes, political changes, and economic changes, and I comment on them because I do have a First Amendment right.
A lot of people say artists and athletes should shut up and play ball. No, I’m on this trip too. If I see something, I say something. That reflects on where each album goes. Instead of staying sedentary and singing about broken relationships, inner turmoil, or whatever is hurting this week, I comment on what’s going on from the perspective of a fellow passenger.”
Groove Laiden New Religion is cataclysmically catchy whilst It’s Not Pretty having an unsettling and foreboding presence adding a new twisted dynamic.
Cult of Suffering has some great organ pieces giving off a slight seventies’ vibe and final piece Ricky’s Hand delves into a techno whirlwind which you will be singing long after the album has ended.
Simply Unparalleled
“HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES” Track listing.
- B.D.E.
- Goddamn White Trash***
- Just Stop Oil
- Aryan Embarrassment**
- TV Song 1/6 Edition
- New Religion
- It’s Not Pretty
- Cult of Suffering*
- Ricky’s Hand
Line-up:
Nick Melissourgos – Vocals, rhythm guitars
Gus Drax – Guitars (lead)
Angelos Lelikakis – Bass
Orfeas Tzortzopoulos | Drums
https://www.facebook.com/WeAreMinistry
https://www.instagram.com/weareministry/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6fUV-AHqV7lpvK9L4PB4yw
7/10