the new ministry lineup

Discussion
21

I grew up with Ministry through high school in the mid-to-late 80’s (I’m 34 now), so I don’t know how much of my feelings are just sentimental, but I still feel that the Twitch/LORAH/Mind era was the band’s pinnacle. Everything before and after those three albums is either just good or ok. That hasn’t changed my stance as a fan - Ministry is still one of my favorites, and I still get excited about a new album and tour. Maybe the good memories of years gone by fuel my anticipation - I don’t know.

I happen to be one of the ‘few’ (?) who really dug the Houses album. The energy reminded me of Mind, something lacking on the three previous albums (Animositisomina came close). I guess what I look for from Ministry are strong, memorable songs with good hooks. They’re one of those bands whose ‘greatest hits’ really are their best songs. I know I’m in the minority here, but No W, Worthless, Waiting - I think they’re all great Ministry songs. I don’t think a band has to challenge their audience intellectually every single time they put out an album. Being experimental is certainly no guarantee that the album will be good. Maybe Al raised the bar too high for some fans, I don’t know. I know that I don’t expect him to split the atom with every new release.

Also, it’s severely premature to have any kind of opinion on the new album. Is it automatically bad because the songs are going to be fast? There could be some good songwriting in those 4-minute thrashers he’s writing. Yeah, we’ve heard “The Great Satan”, and say what you want about it, but consider this - if you don’t like it, you could be hearing the one song that you were gonna hate on the album anyway. So, it can only get better, right? I can take or leave that song, it’s ok, not the best or worst I’ve heard from Ministry. I just think it’s kind-of early to be judging the new material.

Also, try not to put too much thought into how Al describes his new material. He could call the new stuff a “metallic hoedown”, and someone would have a criticism about it. If you think Ministry’s been around too long, or are just putting out shit records now, then simply don’t buy them. There’s plenty of other music out there that should make you happy.

Personally, I think Ministry is finishing strong. The last two albums - for me - were a step up from their late 90’s output, so I’m psyched and ready for more.

Ministry will never please all of its fans in one shot, and that makes them no different than any other band.

1002

22

All were relevant and made progress in Ministry’s over-all sound. In face, I’d take Filth Pig and Animositisomina over Mind is a Terrible Thing to Taste anyday!!!

Filth Pig was definitely a ‘move forward’ of sorts. Hell, so they’re ripping off the Melvins!!! Big deal. Would you rather they allayed themselves with the Melvins or…Anthrax? Choice is yrs but I know which bitch I’d like to wake up next to each and every morning.

So those who think I just hate post-Psalm Ministry or whatever, or that I don’t think they were relevant after Psalm, are totally mistaken. I truly love some of Ministry’s most recent records!!!

LIAR!!!

But what I DO think is irrelevant is Ministry post-Animositisomina. This includes Houses of the Mole, Rantology etc.

Um…and ‘What About Us’ was relevant???

Paul’s departure truly marks the point where the band stopped progressing their sound and moving forward, and where they became a self-parody…shitting out dime-a-dozen thrash metal that is SOOOO fucking irrelevant and mindless!!!

Thrash? Irrelevant? So, what yr saying is that I should ditch all my Kreator cassettes, cut my hair and stop wearing jeans that cut off the blood flow to my penis?

That’s put the kibosh on things.

Just a bunch of headbanging bullshit for the kids. Fuck this balls-to-wall punk rock aesthetic. That “we’re gonna recapture the glory days” bullshit is what’s irrelevant.

Yeah. Fuck it I say too! Recapturing the ‘glory days’ is for war veterans and people who went to Woodstock.

23

[reply]Raven hasn’t been with KJ in while right?

I thought Youth was playing bass again.

Raven is back with KJ and was on the last album and tour. Youth was also credited on the last LP.

1002[/reply]

Currently Killing Joke is touring with Paul Raven on bass. I saw them live two weeks ago. The sound was not that good as the last time I’ve seen them live (ten years ago), but it was a great show (with lots of songs from the first album, if someone’s asking).

'Since Raven was already part of three of my fav bands (Killing Joke, Prong and Godflesh), the fact he’ll be part of the next Ministry line-up, is not a bad news for me at all. On the contrary.
Same with Tommy Victor…
Let’s just see what will really happen until that new album.

On a side note, Billy Gibbons with RevCo???

24

Didnt Raven play with Prong aswell? I must say I love Prong’s ‘Rude Awakening’ thought the guitars were great. That new line up seems alright, better than the ‘Houses’ line up anyway.

25

Didnt Raven play with Prong aswell?

Sometimes I’m wondering if people read actually previous posts before adding new ones… [;)]

'Since Raven was already part of three of my fav bands (Killing Joke, Prong and Godflesh)…

26

Didnt Raven play with Prong aswell? I must say I love Prong’s ‘Rude Awakening’ thought the guitars were great. That new line up seems alright, better than the ‘Houses’ line up anyway.
Raven did play with Prong for two albums - cleansing and Rude Awakening. HA quite incredible, hard to believe at the moment! But i´m an old fan of Prong so i have no doubts about their capabilities, Tommy probably wont do anything without having his say. Who knows it might lift things a bit imo.

Any returning original members in the near future perhaps? Any remaining in the shadows?

27

I happen to be one of the ‘few’ (?) who really dug the Houses album. The energy reminded me of Mind, something lacking on the three previous albums (Animositisomina came close). I guess what I look for from Ministry are strong, memorable songs with good hooks. They’re one of those bands whose ‘greatest hits’ really are their best songs. I know I’m in the minority here, but No W, Worthless, Waiting - I think they’re all great Ministry songs. I don’t think a band has to challenge their audience intellectually every single time they put out an album. Being experimental is certainly no guarantee that the album will be good. Maybe Al raised the bar too high for some fans, I don’t know. I know that I don’t expect him to split the atom with every new release.

Bravo.
On the subject of the lineup, does anyone know if this is also the RevCo lineup (+ Gibby and/or Phildo) or if that’s going to be a whole different band?