Ministry – From Beer To Eternity

From Ministry To Infinity

Ministry is a band that has an undoubtedly long history. The band has been around since 1981 and have since released several studio albums. They have also experimented with different genres, with industrial metal being their primary choice since the late ’80s. Since their reformation 2011, Ministry has been stronger than ever. With the release of their latest From Beer to Eternity, Ministry released one of the strongest albums in 2013.

The first track on this album, “Hail To His Majesty (Peasants)” starts out with electronic and industrial sounds. Essentially, it lays down the formula for what the album generally sounds like; heavy guitars, electronic ambiance, and uptempo drums dominate throughout the release. One of the greatest aspects about From Beer To Eternity is that it is so experimental and different from most other metal releases, and it is unapologetically so. It’s not afraid to explore new sounds or songwriting structures and as a result, grabs the listener’s attention in an instant.

Perhaps the strongest track is “The Perfect Storm,” which contains some of the best riffs imaginable, mixed in with creative lyrics, interesting sound samples, and a jaw dropping guitar solo. It’s an amazing piece of work, which contains lyrics illustrating the fall of humankind. Another highlight is the song “Fairly Unbalanced,” which lyrically explores media converge and politics, but contains some of the most solid riffs of any other metal album released in 2013. Another highlight is the song “Change of Luck,” which contains a blend of Middle Eastern desert sounding riffs, mixed in with ear catching electronic sounds and heavily distorted guitars. Lastly, the track “Thanx But No Thanx” is yet another masterpiece that contains subtle elements of reggae and a mid tempo structure before leading into catchy drum work and thrash metal riffs.

From Beer To Eternity is undoubtedly one of the best albums 2013 has seen thus far. With a large amount of experimentation incorporated, it has something to offer to a wide range of music lovers. To those who are particularly fond of industrial metal, though, this one is going to be an essential listen, as it is sure to become a classic for years to come.