Ministry - hopiumforthemasses

another blast of anthemic industrial metal on their 2023 opus and sixteenth full-length lp - the guitars rip, the drums rumble, and al's as righteously cantankerous as ever about a fucked up world ripe for a boot up its ass. ministry introduce 'hopiumforthemasses' with the single ‘goddamn white trash.’ on the track, synths pulsate beneath a robotic sample punctuated by a plea, “we need your help.” a grimy riff snakes around propulsive percussion, kicking the door down for a hypnotic hook and the groan of a wah-drenched solo. then, there’s ‘just stop oil.’ a staccato rhythm underlines the venomous verses as al ponders, “who is the driver of the coming disaster?” in true ministry fashion, the distortion bleeds into unexpected surf guitar. ‘big dick energy’ hinges on a stomping chant and trudging guitar groove as al bemoans, “toxic little man with a toxic little plan.” elsewhere, chaotic riffing sets the tone for the cataclysmically catchy ‘new religion.’ as guitars crash, al repeats a lament like a prayer, “that’s just not right.” in the end, ministry have a lot of gas left in the tank, and al’s going to ride out the shitstorm with us a little bit longer.