MINISTRY RELAPSE ALBUM 13TH PLANET RELEASE: MARCH 23, 2012 REVIEW: APRIL 3, 2012

Ministry returns after a long break with "Relapse", the first album with original material since "The Last Sucker" (2007). The opening track "Ghouldiggers" tells the tale of being in the music business a long time, and getting screwed over. Jourgensen screams: "I'm not dead yet." And draws the conclusion he's worth more financially being dead. This album uses a spoken word technique as first person narrative. I'm not a fan of this approach as second or third listens don't always have the same appeal.

Ministry's sound hasn't changed drastically since 2003's "Animositisomina" and the departure of Paul Barker. Jourgensen is back after two or three denials that the band was finished. He cites today that due to improving health, he can continue. This retirement package continues to exist due to its cross pollination: metal, speed, industrial, nostalgia...

"Weekend Warrior" is among the best here but the anthemic song opportunity here is "99 Percenters". However, for me this one doesn't work. You can catch the video online if you need proof. Ministry is a unique band such that no matter the material they release, the fans always follow however over the top formulaic in their delivery, there is always a market for music consumers. Many of the long standing Al Jourgensen fans have endured regardless of whether there was a listenable record released or not.

The question with every Ministry release is "have they been able to keep up? If you like your industrial metal flavoured with politics - sure it has. This record is definitely listenable.

ALEX VERONAC