Considering what I hinted at the beginning of January, it should come to not surprised the kind of reviews I have planned. To be perfectly honest, I wasn’t exactly thinking of a theme for the beginning of the year, but with how I’m feeling still.....yeah, you bet things are going to be a bit political. Luckily, I’m only doing this theme for this month only, as there’s some stuff coming up in the next two months that have me really excited. Before reaching that excitement, we gotta get through this slog, and what better way to start 2022's series of reviews than with one of my number 1 albums of last year. So, grab a nearby American flag, get pissed at our broken system, and take a look at my review for Ministry’s 15th studio album, Moral Hygiene. Let’s begin.
Background
The months and years since AmeriKKKant was released were interesting times for Ministry. In October of 2018, frontman Al Jourgensen revealed that he was already working on material for the band’s 15th album. As he explained:
“I have to get as many albums as I can done while Trump is still president, and then what am I going to do: write those crappy albums that I write while Democrats are president?”
Not long after this, it was reported that he had reconnected with old friend Paul Barker after 15 years, hinting that they might collaborate once again on the upcoming record. As things moved into 2019, they would be a part of Slayer’s farewell tour in November of that year, and a month later the band would release a visual history book titled Ministry: Prescripture. Then 2020 came, and we all know all too well what happened that year. A great plague swept the world, causing untold amounts of death & chaos, and putting the kibosh on any gathering big or small. However, not even a plague like Covid-19 could keep one of the world’s most iconic Industrial bands, so the respective members went into the studio at different times (that’s what I’m assuming), and worked their ever loving asses off. On April the 24th, 2020, they would release their first single in over 2 years (Alert Level), and on the first of October 2021, Moral Hygiene was put out for all.
Reviews for Moral Hygiene were a bit more favorable when compared to their previous release. Paul Travers of Kerrang! says:
“Musically there’s a touch more considered atmosphere than on predecessor AmeriKKKant, but this new Ministry line-up – featuring former Tool bassist Paul D’Amour and guest appearances from the likes of Billy Idol guitarist Billy Morrison and former Megadeth man David Ellefson – still knows how to rage. Sabotage Is Sex recalls industrial supergroup Lard with former co-conspirator and ex-Dead Kennedy Jello Biafra back in the fold, while TV Song #6 (Right Around The Corner Mix) is a full-on industrial thrash-out. It’s a familiar sound by now, but no less vital and relevant for that.”
Raul Stanciu of Sputnikmusic goes on to say that:
“The results are not stellar, but Jourgensen found a balance again between getting his point across and focusing on diversifying the music. The past few projects felt akin to heavy clouds hanging above your head, while the latest affair is considerably more entertaining.”
Finally, kjdraven of Wall of Sound states:
“Having bands like Ministry around is still pretty critical when it feels like the social contract is hanging together by a thread. It can be comforting to know you’re not alone and that there’s other fans who will stand with you in the face of pandemic survivalism, climate denial, racism and moral degradation. What Jourgensen has been able to do for 20 years now is make each Ministry album a statement about the world we live in now and what we should do to make it better. The music is as abrasive and confrontational as ever, pretty much ensuring that the masses won’t hear it. But this isn’t music for radio play, this is the red pill you take when you want to wake up.”
Funny enough, Al Jourgenson announced just two weeks after the record came out that Ministry would get something else out in about 6 to 8 months, which goes to show that the band was working harder than we realized last year.
Basic Description
A more confident AmeriKKKant.
I said it when I updated the overview, and I said it again last month in my top 5 albums of 2021 list, and I will say it again here: I enjoy AmeriKKKant. It came out at a time that was needed, and is one of an honored few pieces of anti-Trump media that’s aged surprisingly well (On account of Trump not being on the album all that much). That being said, it is still a piece of anti-Trump media, and there is somewhat of a “Trump Bad” vibe within the music. On top of that, Al Jourgenson doesn’t sound or feel completely confident like he did on the Bush Trilogy back in the mid 2000s, and this partial lack of confidence disrupts the instrumentation & everything else.
With Moral Hygiene? For the first time since The Last Sucker, we have what is perhaps the most ball-out, damn good Ministry album in over a decade. Far stronger, far more confident, far better instrumentation & effects, seemingly less reactionary to the current environment, you name it. Everything about this release is simply better than what came out back in 2018. Hell, even the album cover is somehow better than what AmeriKKKant decided to go with. Al Jourgenson & the rest of the band feel like most of their old energy is back on this record, and I hope that they continue to carry this energy with them on any other album that’ll come out in the future.
Best Track
Like I said when I updated the Ministry overview, and when I used it as the sample track in my top 5 albums of 2021 list last month, but Believe Me has got to be the best track of Moral Hygiene. Al Jourgensen sings in this low & sinister voice throughout most of the tune, save for the few times he turns the volume up, and the rest of the band’s instrumental work & keyboarding matches up with this. What really seals the deal with me is the message being sung: for all intent & purpose, Believe Me is the song dedicated to those who’ve seen the light, and decided to leave MAGA & Trump behind. Uncle Al doesn’t exactly make fun of those who’ve left the cult that did untold damage to this country, as he perfectly sings what those who are no longer brainwashed are thinking. This is one song that you shouldn’t skip.
Believe Me
Worst Track
Much like AmeriKKKant, Moral Hygiene’s sole fault lies with the fact that it’s not very subtle. Like the previously mentioned record, things are laid out in the light for the listener to witness, and there’s not necessarily much that’s hidden or wrapped up in some intellectual allegory. That being said, I’m not as annoyed by this when compared to what went on in the band’s 2018 outing. Given the environment we’re in now as opposed to a little over 3 years ago, things should be put out for all to see rather than putting things in a mass of layers, and having people unravel it all.
Other
If you’re curious about listening to this album, then click on the link below:
Moral Hygiene
Overall Impression & Rating
Moral Hygiene is a more confident portrait of the kind of life we as Americans now live through. Sure, AmeriKKKant definitely dissected the Trump years, and is one of the few pieces of anti-Trump media that’s aged surprisingly well, but it’s also stuck in a period of time where a lot of media that was against the former president has aged horribly. This album I fell will have more relevancy that what came out in 2018, and judging by the more positive ratings from some music critics, that may be true.
Moral Hygiene gets a 9.5 out of 10.
And that was my review for Moral Hygiene. An exceptionally better & more solid album than the one before it, it’s certainly something that reflects the times better than other similarly political pieces of music. It might still not be that subtle, but the point is still clear. So with that said, join me towards the end of the month, when I’ll take a revised look at an anime.....that maybe should have used it’s politics better. See you then!
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