An icon and pioneer in the world of Industrial music, Al Jourgensen is a name that needs little introduction. Starting his professional music career some time around the late ‘70s, he would go onto form Ministry in 1981 after leaving the band Special Affect. Looking to take his music in a different direction, Ministry progressed, and by 1989’s The Land of Rape and Honey they were making a huge impression on the Industrial world of Rock and Metal.
Continuing to move forward and remain prolific through the decades, Jourgensen and Ministry have put out a total of fifteen studio albums through 2021’s Moral Hygiene. Looking backward for a moment, Moral Hygiene was a harsh album that lives up to Ministry’s unapologetic approach musically and lyrically. However, now in 2024, Ministry are set to set fires yet again with the release of the new album HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES.
Set for release on March 1st through Nuclear Blast Records, the latest album comes just months after Ministry celebrated their forty anniversary. A huge milestone, album number sixteen includes nine songs in total that will not disappoint. Joining Jourgensen is the strong lineup of John Bechdel on keyboards, Monte Pittman and Cesar Soto on guitars, Roy Mayorga on drums, and Paul D’Amour on bass. A band full of stars, what HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES offers is raw energy, but it is still pretty standard fare for Ministry.
As harsh as ever, it all begins with the strong and energetic song “B. D. E.” An abbreviation for Big Dick Energy… yes, this song is rather provoking, but in a way that calls out toxic misogyny against women and how it pours over into war on everyone.
Quite a way to start an album, songs like “God Damn White Trash,” “Just Stop Oil,” and “Ricky’s Hand” will also get your adrenaline flowing. Most of the tracks have a catchy rhythm that is impossible to ignore, but “Ricky’s Hand” in particular is perhaps the boldest; matched with a rhythm that you cannot withstand. That in mind, it is also the last song on the album and ends so abruptly that it might leave you a little dazzled. And if that is the case, do not be shy about giving it a repeat listen.
As usual, snippets from TV series, movies, and even the news broadcasts are used in almost every song. This considered, it goes without saying that each track is also rather critical and political, but also consistently thought-provoking at the same time.
When the dust finally settles, Ministry’s HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES shows itself as an intense, strong return. However, in order to feel the true wrath of the music, you must listen to it loudly. Memorable and thriving, the songs set a statement and are absolutely no shy bystander to the current situations on this planet. So, roll down the window, turn up the volume and press play…. because Cryptic Rock gives HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES 5 out of 5 stars.
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