Ministry: The Last Sucker - Review

Al Jourgensen is back with his latest incarnation of Ministry - and for the last time. "The Last Sucker" not only concludes what Jourgensen asserts as the trilogy in the anti-George Bush Jr. Saga (previous albums: "House of the Mole’" and "Rio Grande Blood"), but it also sounds the end of Ministry’s perseity in the music industry, and the band goes out in an exciting, evolved, but familiar blaze of glory.

Ministry began as a dark-synth-pop band, or whatever label one would wish to use, in the early eighties. Slowly, album by album, they began removing the electronic elements, relying mostly on guitars and drums, but still tweaking the sound in the studio. These last three albums by Jourgensen and gang have almost been pure metal, slightly in the vein of a heavier and faster "Psalm 69", an album where Jourgensen saw fit to bash George Bush Sr.

"The Last Sucker" starts off with the quickly consuming "Let’s Go," which is about as good an opener on an album, and live, as a band can produce. "Watch Yourself" and "Life is Good" continue the metal assault with feral riffing by Tommy Victor (Prong) and Sin Quinn (Revolting Cocks), and rapid, tight drum programming by Al (Alien) Jourgensen and John Bilberry.

Then - - - the album hits a snag. The second and third songs foreshadow what is to be the middle of the album, which is practically the same sound that Ministry has constructed in the past two years. Being a trilogy, I let it pass in the aftermath, but upon first hearing "The Dick Song," which has an outstanding chorus slamming Dick Cheney, "The Last Sucker," and "No Glory," I felt that they were nothing but songs from "Rio Grande Blood" and "House of the Mole’" rehashed, re-edited, and redone, particularly "The Dick Song," which sounds almost exactly like "Lies, Lies, Lies" from "Rio Grande Blood." But, after hearing the entire album, and going back to these songs, they are easier and much more enjoyable on the ears.

"Death and Destruction" continues the light footed demolition begun on the album, then, "Roadhouse Blues" comes along; bringing new life to the sometimes overplayed Doors song (awaits flung beer bottles and retired bongs from Doors fans [because you wouldn’t throw the new ones, would you?]). It also feels like a preview of Ministry’s upcoming cover album "Cover-Up." Then, the punk invades with
Die in a Crash." This features the first of the latter tracks featuring Burton C. Bell (Fear Factory). "Die in a Crash" is crunchy punk, and it is fun.

The album goes out with a bang in the two part "End of Days." Part 1 has Burton C. Bell joining Jourgensen again on vocals and chorus with a memorable guitar melody, and mellow rough vocals. Part 2 continues the melody while inserting Dwight D. Eisenhower’s presidential farewell speech into the track. It is well done, and when listening to Eisenhower, his words are as relevant today as they were in 1961, but that is another write-up for another time.

Ministry’s final album should please fans new and currently following, because to say old fans, that spans a good chunk of time, and some may have dropped the band. I have enjoyed their music since Day 1, and now at the end, there’s a sense that more could have been accomplished, but it seems best to go out on a high than sink to a depressing low like some other bands have. The Last Sucker might disappoint in some areas, considering it is their last hurrah, but Ministry goes out in style - their style.

Personal note: I will miss the anticipation of future Ministry music, but will never forsake the experiences learned and head when listening to Ministry. Each album, up until these last three, was something different, and always unexpected. Ministry is done, but Jourgensen still lives. Here's to Ministry; here's to the future. Cheers.