Before we start, let's get one thing straight: Al Jourgensen is a living legend. Having sold millions of albums, not to mention being pronounced dead three times along the way, his has been something of an interesting journey. Mike Scaccia, his co-pilot for the majority of said voyage, tragically died in December of last year. It has since been announced that 'From Beer To Eternity' will be the final Ministry album. And no, not like 'The Last Sucker'. This is the last studio record Ministry will ever release.
Syphoning a sea of riffs recorded by Scaccia prior to his death, 'From Beer To Eternity' kicks off with the sample-laden oddity of Hail To The Majesty (Peasants). Gone are the thrash influences present in most post-millennial Ministry material, this is a band getting back to their dirty, industrial roots. A sludgy riff rears its head around halfway through, paving way for Jourgensen's signature bark. It seems that Ministry are back on course after 2012's slightly disappointing 'Relapse'. Could this be the comeback we've been waiting for? Are we about to hear 'The Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Taste' Part II?
Unfortunately, no. Second tune Punch In The Face harnesses a more thrash-influenced racket, sounding like a b-side from the 'Relapse' sessions mixed with a piss-poor rendition of Ministry classic Burning Inside. It's not that it's bad, it's just a step down after the ear violations of the previous track.
There are several similar songs throughout the album and Fairly Unbalanced is a decent thrash-tinged tune on its own, but when compared with Ministry's god-like output from the ‘80s and ‘90s, it just doesn't compare.
But of course, Uncle Al won't be happy unless he goes out with a bang. Ignoring the few stale tracks littered across the album, 'From Beer To Eternity' is otherwise a strong exit from music for the industrial legend.
The Horror stands out as being the most disturbing thing the band has ever committed to tape, rife with soundbites from anti-abortion groups actually advocating rape. Ministry still remain kings of social commentary.
Having been criticised for so-called experimentation on the underrated 'Filth Pig' and 'Dark Side Of The Spoon', you could be forgiven for expecting Ministry to just sit on their arses and churn out an entire disc of predictability. But Al's never really cared for the critics, hence why 'From Beer To Eternity' proves itself to be possibly the most experimental record the band have put their name to.
The dub-soaked first half of Thanx But No Thanx takes the listener in a completely different direction, while female vocals on Lesson Unlearned are a first for the band. Even with all this, the album never becomes too self indulgent. This is Ministry. It's old Ministry, new Ministry, and everything in between.
And it works. If this really is Ministry's last record, then Jourgensen has done his baby proud. Al's lyrics on Side Fx Include Mikey's Middle Finger (TV4) sum up this band perfectly. His voice is coated in a layer of pure, unadulterated rage as he screams “I Feel Like Shit!” to anyone who dares to listen. And that's the thing. At the ripe age of 54, he's gone through more than our tiny little brains could possibly fathom. Yet here he is, still kicking, still screaming, and still astoundingly relevant.
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