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By JEFF MAKI
This review is very biased, cause quite frankly Ministry are one of my favorite bands of all time. If you haven't heard this great band before then Rantology is an excellent start. This release marks the 25 year anniversary for Ministry and includes some of the absolute best material of their career in the form of "updated mixes," select tracks, and live recordings. Al Jourgensen is Ministry and he is widely considered a major influence among his peers, including even the likes of NIN's Trent Reznor. Reznor was recently quoted as saying, "Ministry was THE single most important influence in the sound and concept of nine inch nails." And how could they not have been? Starting as more of a techno-dance unit the band evolved into an industrial metal juggernaut by the early 90s, while still containing some of the past elements where they started. 1992's Psalm 69 is where everything fell into place, put Ministry on the map and into CD players to stay. That album is represented well here on Rantology.
Never afraid to experiment, Ministry have released some of the best and most odd remixes of any band you could think of. The tracks found here are not necessarily remixes but updates including new samples, added guitar parts and a newly remastered sound. You'll hear new samples of President Bush in the update of "N.W.O.," which still sounds as fresh as it did when it was released in 1992, a fact that Ministry's material has withstood the test of time. Most of these updates only add to the original tracks making them even better, if not all that different from the originals. The purpose here was not to remix material to the point where the original songs were undistinguishable, but to re-introduce the band to a new era of fans. This compilation does this perfectly. "Jesus Built My Hotrod" features a new strange spoken word intro, while "No W Redux" opens with a gothic like chorus featuring new samples of George W. Bush. "Stigmata" was an awesome and even danceable track to begin with and the update makes this one stand out even more than before. A new track, "The Great Satan" is featured here amongst the hits, a serving of what's to come from Ministry's upcoming 2006 release. The track is relentless with more of a harsh punk sound, and I emphasize harsh. "Waiting" is also featured here, one of Ministry's best tracks from the previous release, Houses Of The Mole. The disc ends with three live tracks: "Psalm 69," "Thieves," and "The Fall." I've never been fortunate enough to see the band live but after hearing these live renditions I'll be ordering tickets for their upcoming tour as soon as they're available.
One part greatest hits, one part preview and one part live, Rantology is a perfect mix for Ministry fans and would serve as a great introduction to new listeners. Often seemed to be overlooked amongst hundreds of other mediocre bands, it's time to recognize Ministry as the forefathers of industrial metal. Ministry almost seem to be a cult favorite amongst music fans. Most people have heard something from them before and have nothing bad to say about them, although the band has never really had a huge breakthrough. Well the time is now! Everyone do yourself some good and check out Rantology. Start the "New World Order" again. |
