Ministry Adios
by Leyla Hamedi
Staff Writer
A Ministry show is something better seen than relayed via writing. The lights, the stage, the pure volume; all working together to create a wall of industrial metal that all but smacks you in the face, beats you up, and leaves you reeling, wondering what just happened? Though they’re singing their swan song with Adios, they do their best to bring all the musical elements of a live show. The rest you’ll have to do by yourself. Strobe lights can go a long way, if you’re open to suggestions.
Opening with cheers and clapping, standard inclusions of a live album, Ministry go straight into, “Let’s Go.” With its hard, pounding, and mechanical elements it’s pretty indicative of what the rest of the set list/album tracks will be. “Watch Yourself,” allows for the vocals to stand alone with its echo effects and hard guitars that punctuate every line. But then the drums kick in and we’re back to the razor sharp world of futuristic machine noises. The next segment which includes, “Life Is Good,” and, “The Dick Song” provide more of the standard Ministry fare- loud guitars, rolling vocals, and audio samples that lead to more electrifying guitar solos. Not some of their best songs maybe, given their long history, but adequately put together for the album.
Not much banter is included in the record but then, they’re not a band that nambies with audience participation. With quick announcements of song titles the next two tracks up the stakes with their frenetic beat. While, “The Last Sucker,” is a good mix of rock and industrial, the ADD-energy of, “No W,” will get you moving like an electrocuted rat. All jumpy and excited. Perhaps a little singed.
The next “W” section of, “Waiting,” “Worthless,” and, “Wrong,” keep the record moving although, “Wrong,” slightly slows the pace they’ve kept throughout with it’s dragging intro. “Rio Grande,” gets the hate boiling with its Bush samples and relentless hammering beat. Leading to the taunting, “Senor Peligro,” and the symphonically epic, “LiesLiesLies,” the album comes to a throbbing head before ending with, “Khyber Pass.” In its almost nine minutes, it’s a haunting track to go out on.
With live recordings and performances from all over the world and the United States, the accompanying DVD will come out in May.
Label: AFM
Web site: Official site
Band Members:
Al Jourgensen – Vocals
Tommy Victor – Guitars
Sin Quirin – Guitars
John Bechdel – Keyboards
Tony Campos -Bass
Aaron Rossi – Drums
Burton C. Bell – Guest Vocals
Hardrock Haven Rating: 8.5/10