Mar 09, 2018 James Currie Features, Music News, Reviews 0
Ministry: AmeriKKKant – Track by Track – (Release date March 9, 2018)
Editor’s Preface:
Chicago’s own, Al Jourgensen, surprised us all by announcing a new Ministry album late last year. It was a surprise because just a short time back (2013), he had said Ministry was done and that “From Beer To Eternity” was to be the final Ministry studio album. He said this because he lost his long time music collaborator and friend Mike Scaccia. Sadly, Scaccia died in 2012 and Jourgensen made several statements he was calling it quits. Thankfully he rethought that, took a short break, gathered his thoughts and regrouped. And that rejuvenated energy has be spewing out ever since.
In that time, he recorded and released a totally new album of music under a totally new moniker, Surgical Meth Machine. Then, just months after that release, announced he was in the works of completing a new Ministry record of all new material, “AmeriKKKant”. Well, rejoice Ministry fans because today, that album reaches the light of day.
“Amerikkkant” (the first new album of new material in over 5 years) keeps some of the traditional Ministry sounds, but isn’t stale by any means. In fact, this is what true Jourgensen does. He redevelops and incorporates new sounds and on this release, those include cello’s, instruments like turntables and DJ scratching and new songwriting style while still maintaining a Ministry core. This 9 track album brings in elements from as far back as 1992’s “Psalm 69: The Way to Succeed and the Way to Suck Eggs” through “From Beer To Eternity” as well as moving on with new sounds, recording techniques and direction.
Jourgensen brings in some of his longtime bandmates of course like John Bechdel (keys) Sin Quirin (guitars) and Tony Campos (bass) but there’s new blood in the mix like Cesar Soto (guitar) DJ Swamp (turntables), Derek Abrams (drums) rounding out the core group of the band, but special guest have also made there mark on this record. We get appearances from Burton C. Bell (Fear Factory) (spoken word & vocals), Arabian Prince (N.W.A.) (scratching and vocals) and So-Cal flea market marvel – Lord of the Cello (cello).
So what does this mean for Ministry as a band? I’d say a renewed sense of life. Dystopian or not, Ministry lives on. Watch out world leaders, presidents and evil doer’s. No one is safe from the wrath of Al Jourgensen and company.
You might remember ITLM premiered a live performance of first single release “Antifa” in the fall of last year when Ministry played Riot Fest. Here is that video.
This album marks the bands first release on their new label, Nuclear Blast Records. Here’s our review of that album. Track by track by In The Loop Magazine’s Cesar Glanville.
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Seems like every other Ministry album you hear some engineer leak and exclaim “this new Ministry is going to be just like Psalm 69, the platinum selling juggernaut that took Ministry from the underground to arenas. Of course this never happens, I’m not sure uncle Al wants to make that record – even if throngs of fans want him to!
So “AmeriKKKant”, no it’s not Psalm 69 pt. 2, but there are elements there – blasting beats, slow dirges, thick layers, another TV song and hell a harmonica!
Let’s break it down:
Is this a Psalm 69 Pt.2? No, but a solid Ministry record.
“AmeriKKKant” is available today for purchase, download or streaming now via Nuclear Blast Records. Order at https://www.nuclearblast.com/ministry-amerikkkant
Ministry is taking this album on the road for a massive tour that starts in Anaheim, CA on March 22nd. They come through Chicago on April 7th at Riviera Theatre. Tickets for that available here.
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