LimeWire Music Blog

Al Jourgensen has finally put Ministry out of its metal misery, retiring the name and all but disappearing from music after 25+ years of activity.  Enough time has passed since the retirement of the project that put blistering vocals, heavy riffs,  and pummeling drum machines on the map, so it’s safe to dig out those early records, give them a dusting off, and enjoy them for what they are.

No, I’m not talking about The Land of Rape and Honey or The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Taste.  Genre classics as they may be, I’m moreso referring to Al Jourgensen and Ministry’s synthpop years, long since ignored by the musician and downright panned by most hardcore fans.  Though 1986’s Twitch and 1983’s With Sympathy share little in common with the juggernaut Ministry would be come (and even feature our protagonist with a mock British accent, tee hee), they’re still solid in their own regard, full of incredible pop hooks and shimmering synths.  In fact, after a childhood overdosing on the stuttering and shrill sounds of “Stigmata,” I tend to prefer the lighter side of the band tenfold.  Songs like “Work for Love” and “Effigy (I’m Not An)” forever inspire me to bust a move whenever I hear them.

Though Jourgensen has gone on record countless times to denounce Ministry’s humble beginnings, he can’t erase the past, especially with the anonymous pleasures of YouTube hiding dirty little secrets by way of music videos.  Peep below for a promotional clip of “Revenge,” one of the best tracks from With Sympathy. As easy as it is to snicker, the song’s way too good to denounce.