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Band Name: Ministry
Album Name: Rantology
Rating: 4.5 / 5 User Rating: 2.3 / 5
Label: Sanctuary Records
Buy Album: Amazon.com
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Tracklist
1. No W [Redux]
2. Great Satan [#]
3. Wrong [Update Mix]
4. N.W.O. [Update Mix]
5. Stigmata [Update Mix]
6. Waiting
7. Warp City [Alt Mix]
8. Jesus Built My Hotrod [Update Mix]
9. Bad Blood [Alternate Mix]
10. Animosity
11. Unsung [Alternate Mix]
12. Bloodlines
13. Psalm 69 [Live in Paris]
14. Thieves [Live in Seattle]
15. Fall [Live in London]
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Al Jourgensen is on a roll again. Last year saw the release of 'Houses Of The Mole`', the band's intensive, Bush-bashing return to form. Now the most pissed-off industrial metal band in the whole fucking world has returned with a reworking of tracks in 'Rantology.' Although greatest hits compilations are generally a no-go, this album is like getting Star Wars special edition after you had already had the originals. There's so many improvements that you have to have it, even if you loved the original. For any Ministry fan that worshipped 'The Land Of Rape And Honey', 'The Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Taste' or 'Psalm 69', this record is like a Christmas present in October. The revamped version of 'New World Order' is the ultimate highlight amongst many, with George W. joining Poppy Bush this time around, spouting sampled stupidity over Jourgensen's collage of wailing distorted guitars and percussive sampling. It's arguably the defining Ministry track of the band's entire career, the cold, mechanized nature of the track providing the perfect backdrop to the Bushes cryptic soundbites.
A brand new track titled 'The Great Satan' injects a punk influence which sounds like it is being filtered through a power line. This track's relentless nature shows that Al and co. can still rip. Consequently, this makes the group's studio follow-up something to look forward to. For those listeners who were dissatisfied by clunkers like 'Filth Pig' and 'Dark Side Of The Spoon' and therefore, missed 'Houses Of The Mole`', you'll be pleased to find the best tracks from that last record represented here in the buzzing 'Wrong', the thrashy, bludgeoning 'Waiting' and 'Bloodlines', which revamps themes from the band's outstanding 'So What.'
Arguably, the rendition of 'Stigmata' found here is the best mix of the song ever. The song that pretty much put Ministry on the map with the metal crowd is more focused that the original version and Jourgensen perfects the track here. 'No W', also from 'Houses Of The Mole`', gets the updated treatment and turns out to be substantially better than its predecessor as well, and that's saying a lot.
For the last three cuts, listeners a taste of 'Sphinctour', including 'The Fall', 'Psalm 69' and most notably, 'Thieves.' These cuts were laid down in London, Paris and Seattle respectively and each are excellent versions of the originals. 'Thieves' especially stands out as a commanding performance, over the years, this song has evolved into one of the most memorable songs in Ministry's extensive catalog. For all of it's great successes, 'Rantology' has a singular disappointment. No 'Halloween', as the band continues to deny it's techno-goth roots.
Ministry was hailed by many as both innovators and forerunners in metal through the nineties and 'Rantology' cements the fact that the band is back with a vengeance in 2005. Essentially, if you're a metal fan, you can't go without this crushingly crucial record.
Review by: EF
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