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Discussion
1

I’ll admit, I haven’t heard TLS. I haven’t gotten around to buying it and didn’t download it even when it leaked a couple of months before. I’ll get around to it, however, I haven’t been into aggressive metal lately so I don’t think I would appreciate it as much. This isn’t to say the music is bad - I haven’t heard it as of yet, so I honestly can’t judge. These days, I prefer the style of music of bands such as Jesu (and everything related), Mono, Red Sparrows, USSA, etc, etc. I think, perhaps, I’ve also become numb to politics in music these days - I’d much rather prefer it in a subtle manner (think nin’s ‘hand that feeds’). I read the news daily and I think there are many other issues in this world that need the spotlight just as much.

Having said all that, this doesn’t mean that I should come on here and post negative comments about Ministry, thread after thread for months on end. I’m all for open discussion, and unless there are personal attacks against one another, then I don’t care what one posts - negative or not.

Then why am I posting this? Because it’s getting rather old and frustrating to only be reading a lot of these types of posts - it becomes repetitive and old rather quick. I sigh when I open yet another thread which consists of content of just pure hatred directed towards the band. Please, discuss away, but when I see about 20+ threads on how you think their musical output is not much anymore, how frustrating it is to hear the new album, etc, etc - it gets old. Yes, make your point heard but it has more weight to it if there was less slanderous content.

I love this forum for the various topics discussed. You guys have suggested many bands that I enjoy. I’ve always appreciated these things of the board, and the tremendous support and loyalty you have given this site. Many of you were here from when The Dark Side of The Spoon came out - since '99! I also appreciate that the topics here are more ‘mature’ and music oriented than on other forums. These are things we all respect about the forum.

I’m not saying people will be banned, or posts deleted, etc. Screw all that. This is the unofficial forum - write about anything, Ministry related or just about anything else. I would prefer reading the latter these days as those threads seem more enlightening.

No, I’m not ‘sticking up’ for the band - I no longer have any affiliation with them (well, apart from paying for the hosting of the PA) - I’m sticking up for this forum. Slamming musicians happens on any uncensored music oriented forum and musicians are pretty much immune to it all, however, for the readers of any forum, it is rather redundant to read the same dismal tone over and over regarding the same topics for months.

2

I got over it when Metallica started to suck (in my opinion). I’ve long thought that there would have been no problem with their transition if they had simply released Load, Reload, and whatever else they churned out after that under a new moniker and called it a side project of ideas they wanted to express. Some of the songs were pretty catchy and enjoyable but it just wasn’t what people expected or wanted from them.

Fans are pretty slow and in fact slower than the musicians at adjusting to changes in style. A lot of the slag thrown around here is likely due to the fact that people, like me, genuinely miss the old Ministry (when it was new – not the 500th play). That feeling is never going to come back. I can reminisce all I want but it doesn’t do a damn bit of good. I still get chills listening to some tracks like The Nature of Love (cruelty mix especially) simply from the emotional attachment to the time period I first listened to them in.

How have I dealt with this? Well I’m listening to a lot of other types of music because even old stuff, like The Doors, the few remaining Blue Oyster Cult albums I have yet to hear, Mike Oldfield, and so on are so new (to me) that it’s just the same experience as hopping into a store and buying a new release that works me the same way Filthpig did its first trip through my player. I’d like to think some more mature release of the frustration with recent Ministry could be expressed here if people were to move on a little more as well. Which confuses me a bit as I see most of the people here listing off bands I’ve never even heard of and will never hear due to lack of time/money and yet they still have to do some bashing here and there. Just enjoy it for what it was. Yes, was.

3

I have gotten too old and have too many responsibilities to coin my identity by what music i listen to. frankly, i casually listen to music nowadays. i don’t sit and try to take deep meaning from music, nor do i look to it for my political influence.

i take this place lightly and use it to find out about things i would otherwise not know, and to share things with others on this board that i DO know.

p.s. - i can’t believe you pay for hosting of the PA site. Do you get reimbursed?

4

Well I’m glad to see Afra posting.

There are a few of us who haven’t complained/bitched about Ministry’s current artistic style. I’m of the same opinion as societal regarding Metallica and after the black cd, pretty much just stopping listening to them & haven’t seen them since (saw them in 86 w/cliff, 86 w/o cliff, 89 & in 91 twice). I look forward to seeing Ministry & Revco live for what might be the last time & hope as in the past that a guest musician will play in NYC. I also highly agree with slack that:

I don’t sit and try to take deep meaning from music, nor do i look to it for my political influence.

i take this place lightly and use it to find out about things i would otherwise not know, and to share things with others on this board that i DO know.