In The Loop Magazine – Album Review: Chicago’s Own Al Jourgensen Returns With Fresh, All New Material Ministry Album, AmeriKKKant

Album Review: Chicago’s Own Al Jourgensen Returns With Fresh, All New Material Ministry Album, AmeriKKKant – Complete Breakdown Review

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.

—-

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:

“I Know Words” – Republican president in office expect to hear spoken word samples of him and this starts with President Trump declaring “We will make America Great Again” But not with enthusiasm and cheer – rather slowed down with a haunting string accompaniment. Some loops and layers of cello & strings and, what, scratching? Yes scratching (unnecessary perhaps), make this symphonic build and perfect intro into song 2 “Twilight Zone”.

“Twilight Zone” Carrying right in off the build of “I Know Words”, this song brings in the guitars and pounding beat. First thing you notice, what some of those mid 2000’s Ministry albums suffered from; the monochromatic, rudimentary drum programing is gone – we saw its exit on “From Beer to Eternity” and thankfully that stays true. Not quite the big sounds of Bill Rieflin or Rey Washam but solid none-the-less. The ‘Scarecrow’ harmonica returns to a welcome audience on this track – long, pounding, heavy, key hits- this has elements of “Filth Pig” and P69 wrapped into a big FU ball.

“Victim of a Clown” Another grind-y, long, dirge with a fist in the air chorus asking us all to unite – the groovy bass line is dark, ugly and spits in your face with no apology. Well placed samples – chant along pre-chorus, this creeps me out and like the creep out.

“TV 5/4” Oh boy – another TV song, YES! “TV 5/4 Chan” has it all, 400mph of in your face beats and samples that keep Mikey’s middle finger firmly up – and angry.

We’re Tired Of It” TV leads right into “We’re Tired Of It” – More unneeded scratching, but whoooooo – does this one rock! Keeping the frenetic energy of ‘TV’ before it, this one is a hot rod running on Nitro and taking the quarter mile by storm. Has a Fear Factory vs Ministry feel in structure in vocal, and I’m pretty sure its C. Burton Bell barking on this one.

“Wargasm” this one has been floating around the internet for a couple weeks – This has a “From Beer to Eternity” vibe. A tad tribal in verses and a bit of a nod to Killing Joke in the choruses (that’s never a bad thing) and always good to hear Uncle Al sing a bit. Great use of samples to build to the verse, big hook in the chorus – solid from start to finish.

“Antifa” They have been playing this one live for a bit, the energy live isn’t quite matched on record, (perhaps it’s not having masked Stormtroopers to watch on stage?). Al tells us “He’s got something to say” and he does – he tips off anyone on the right that people are organizing and ya’ll best be ready! You can see the fire being set to the streets as you listen to this, a call to arms, if you will.

“Game Over” Visceral and precise, this song has that mechanical metal beat down we have come to expect form Ministry. Yards and yards of vocal delay and hammer-esque drums like if a house was being constructed at 110 BPM.

“AmeriKKKa” The title song slows it down again for another epic trip through the ills of our country. Pounding and ugly just like the backstreets of Anytown, USA where the critters come to crawl and gather together to hate. This one churns and churns until the surprise of some “The Deity” like horn blasts that are not only welcome but really add a great layer. A rock out end to an album that really doesn’t have any filler.

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 22^nd. They come through Chicago on April 7^th at Riviera Theatre. Tickets for that available here.