Rigor Mortis - “Welcome To Your Funeral: The Story Of Rigor Mortis - Part 1” DVD (director: Bruce Corbitt)

R.I.P. Mike Scaccia

This documentary, produced with the direct involvement of the surviving Rigor Mortis members as a tribute to their fallen guitar legend Mike Scaccia (later famous for being Ministry’s mid-to-late period guitarist), covers the inception of this influential Texan speed metal outfit until 1987, when they signed to Capitol Records. It’s a solid and reverential collection of rare footage, both live and behind the scenes, with tons of interviews with friends and band members telling all sorts of sordid tales of the band’s legendary drunken brawls, parties, and hellbent live shows that fused brutal death and speed metal with a horror/gore slant.

Narrated by Philip H. Anselmo (yes, he of Pantera and Down fame and infamy), this is a thoroughly entertaining and intimate portrait of one of Texas’ best loved (and hated) bands. Speed and gore metal fans who are familiar with this band need to check this one out, and even those curious as to the genesis of a band who’ve since influenced a shit-ton of metal bands, would do well to see this one. It’s not overly slick or packed with digital graphics, but it’s a great document and a fitting tribute to a real-life guitar hero.

MVD Visual

Revolting Cocks - “You Goddamned Son Of A Bitch” 2xCD + DVD

All-time great electro-rock

Ah, this is classic Revco, recorded live at the Cabaret Metro in Chicago in 1987. Originally released as a single disc by Wax Trax!, this double-CD format simply adds a couple of live tracks from the later “Beers, Steers, & Queers” CD single, and expands it all over 2 discs. It’s basically the same package as Rykodisc’s 2004 reissue, but with most of the original artwork restored. The distinct lack of liner notes, and some glaring errors (like the back stating that Chris Connelly is from Killing Joke. Hah!) are both unforgivable and lazy. It’s this lack of historical notes or credits, and the fact that it’s housed in a cheap case that’s easily broken signals a quick cash job on the part of Jourgensen (who recently sold the rights to this to notoriously shoddy Cleopatra Records) and MVD Audio (whose label and name is attached to the packaging, rather than Cleopatra’s, oddly).

Anyway, the music sounds as good as it ever has. This was Connelly’s inaugural release with the band, and thus began a long partnership with Cocks/Ministry members Jourgensen, Barker, and Rieflin, all of whom feature prominently here alongside Belgian pop star-slash-madman Luc Van Acker. 

Opening with the droning noise and murderous caterwauling of the title track, the band pushes into the massive “Cattle Grind” — a sinister, murderous rampage that also showcases a young, brash, and hungry Connelly (literally and figuratively — check out how skinny he was in the video counterpart. Hah!). A series of punishing electronic rock assaults follows, with iconic cuts like “38”, “TV Mind”, and “No Devotion” being even more aggressive live than their studio counterparts. This, as I’ve said already, is seriously classic industrial rock, both hypnotic and stomping with a perfect melding of live instrumentation and electronic programming. 

The huge, pulsing “Union Carbide” opens the second disc, and the wild rampage continues through “Attack Ships On Fire” and “No Devotion” before giving way to the 1991 live tracks that do flow rather seamlessly, despite the difference in venue, era, and personnel. Mr. Connelly’s impersonation/performance “as John Lydon” on the cover of PIL’s “Public Image” is perfect and spot-on!

The DVD release (oddly sold separately from the music) also shows a curious and alarming lack of care and attention. Having never been available on DVD, this was always part of a Ministry/Revolting Cocks fans’ bucket list. But MVD (or Cleopatra)’s shoddy packaging again seems slapdash and careless. The transfer is merely adequate, possibly from a VHS source (most certainly not cleaned up in any way), and the art and labeling echoes the same misinformation as the CD (Connelly being from Killing Joke, etc.). 

All said, a lackluster treatment given to an album and video that remains, at least to me, a near-perfect representation of everything the Cocks ever stood for — unbridled hedonism, excess, and stainless steel precision. It’s a shame to see this great album and video treated so poorly, though I am quite happy to have an “YGDSOB” on DVD officially after all these years.

MVD Audio

Al Jourgensen's official site

Ministry - "Relapse" CD

It's a shame about Al, resorting to this juvenile and meat-headed selection of tunes. He played it right a few years back and "retired" his long-standing and influential band Ministry after some sub-par recordings with mainly hired guns as his "band" and some plain awful albums of classic rock covers. Now, after being convinced by guitarist Mike Scaccia to do "ONE" more, here's the result -- another collection of un-subtle but explosive electronic thrash metal monsters that do absolutely nothing to redeem Ministry or further their legendary status.

Opening with the in-your-face obviousness of "Ghouldiggers", the album cruises through 9 (plus one remix) more breakneck riff-monsters. "Freefalll" is cartoon metal, but a personal insight into Al's addiction demons, so it gets a pass. Other cuts, like the positively embarrassing "Weekend Warrior" or the hideous "Git Up Get Out 'N Vote", which is as hammy and over-the-top as it sounds, prove to be among the most shameful tracks Ministry has ever done. The rest of this is simply re-treading and re-hashing his previous few albums, nothing more and nothing less, sadly.

On a good note, the production here is tight and crisp, with the guitars and drum(machine)s being deliriously loud and clear. And the faithful cover of the S.O.D. classic "United Forces" is fun enough. But still, I am in shock at how silly and adolescent this whole effort is. Just no. (13th Planet/ AFM Germany)

Ministry - "FIX" DVD

This long-awaited DVD is less a documentary of Ministry's 1996 "Sphinctour" as it is a character study of Al Jourgensen and his serious drug addictions. Painting the sometimes-genius frontman as a paranoid "rock star" whose attitude and excess is legendary, even among his fellow junkies and musician friends, 'FIX" shows what fame and money (and indulgence) can do to an intelligent, thinking, and conscientious individual. Peppering the backstage/off-stage insanity with plenty of live clips (which sound great) helps this presentation, as do the large amount of interviews with past Ministry members (namely Paul Barker, Rey Washam, Louis Svitek, and Ogre), friends, tourmates and collaborators (David Yow, Trent Reznor, Jello Biafra, Maynard Keenan, and Buzz Osborne), and other hangers-on (Jonathan Davis? The babbling nonsense of Casey Chaos of Amen? What?). Anyway, aside from the many talking heads speaking of Al's addictions, we get very little insight into Ministry's history or the other members' lives. Al is the centerpiece here, and it's not a flattering portrait. Perhaps a must-see for serious Ministry fans, but casual fans will have no interest in seeing this messy side of a once-world class band. (Gigantic Pictures)

Buck Satan and the 666 Shooters - "Bikers Welcome, Ladies Drink Free" album

Al Jourgensen, headmaster for industrial metal kings Ministry, has become a self-parody in recent years, and has all but alienated most of his past co-conspirators. But damned if this new project isn't the best stuff he's done in some time.

As his long-promised country and western band, Buck Satan is a rollicking good-time joyride, full of songs about drinkin', fightin', and general rabble-rousin'. Forget the powder-puff, pretty-boy country icons of today, Al and company are channeling the spirits of Hank Sr., Buck Owens, and the like. This isn't parody, but sincere homage.

"Medication Nation" proves that Al can still pen a catchy tune. "Drug Store Truck Drivin' Man" is a Gram Parsons cover, and is as silly as it sounds. Buck Satan's songs are hard-luck, tough-living anthems for a generation that has lost touch with it's country roots. My sole complaint is that the drum programming seems out of place. Nonetheless, a "Bikers Welcome" is a surprisingly fun record. (13th Planet)

Ministry And Co-Conspirators - "Undercover" CD

Once upon a time, Ministry was a force to be reckoned with. They helped pave the way for bands like Nine Inch Nails and KMFDM's later successes. Now? "Undercover" is a pretty pale shadow of that. Led solely by Al Jourgensen, this album is packed with insipid and soulless covers. Metal and rock staples like "Iron Man", "Purple Haze", "Thunderstruck", and even Amy Winehouse's "Rehab" are slaughtered. Ugh. Sad. (13th Planet/Cleopatra)

Prongs.org, the finest and most comprehensive Ministry site on the planet

River Phoenix - "Final 24 - His Final Hours" DVD

When a rising celebrity dies young, the repercussions can be felt for a long while. This short 60-minute documentary outlines the events leading up to the fateful night that 23-year old actor River Phoenix died in 1993. It's a well-done program, and although such recreations/dramatizations usually seem a bit overbaked to me, in this case they're not particularly harmful to the discussions and stories included here.

Featuring interviews with many of Phoenix's friends and associates, and enhanced by plenty of photos and rare video footage, "Final 24" offers a sympathetic glimpse into the troubled life of an icon who aspired to do much more than just act. His musical passion is seen as he befriended Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea, and was even set to perform onstage with Flea (as well as Gibby Haynes, Al Jourgensen, and Johnny Depp) the very night he died after ingesting a massive speedball.

River Phoenix represented the idealism of a new generation, and his passing left the world a lesser place. And although this "Final 24" series is perhaps a mite morbid and sensationalistic, it's certainly a curious program worthy of some attention.
(MVD Visual)

A devoted Phoenix fansite

"Fix - The Ministry Movie"

This is one I'm looking very forward to purchasing as soon as it's out...newest trailer up first:

Al Jourgensen & Mark Thwaite - It's Always Christmas Time

Let Uncle Al (with guitarist Mark Thwaite of The Mission) serenade you this holydaze season.

This fun and catchy little pop song is now available on iTunes.

I don't know about you, but I hope their proposed album together sounds as good as this.

Ministry - "Twitch Toronto"

Ministry's later forays into anti-Bush thrash metal were spotty but good, with some catchy tunes and an over-the-top cartoony attitude. But rewind back 23 years to Al Jourgensen's 1986 LP, "Twitch", and you'll see that Adrian Sherwood's heavy dub/industrial mixing was instrumental in the development of Ministry's transformation from dance pop to techno thrash. A seminal work that inspired legions of followers into the 90's, "Twitch" is still unjustly overlooked as one of the classic "industrial" albums. It's a collision of Cabaret Voltaire and Test Dept, with a social conscience.
Adding new touring members Paul Barker and Bill Rieflin (both of whom would contribute much to the band in the years to come), Ministry toured briefly in 1986, doing 13 dates across the USA and Canada. This is a terrific recording of their 04.10.86 date in Toronto, at the RPM Club, courtesy of bisquitodoom@prongs.

Twitch Toronto

Ascension Of The Watchers - "Numinosum" CD

This is the first proper solo release from former (?) Fear Factory frontman Burton C. Bell, and it manages to move pretty far from the thrashy, electro-tinged death metal of Fear Factory. With John Bechdel (ex-Prong) on most of the musical programming, "Numinosum" is Burton's attempt to show off his more melodic vocals in a more subdued, song-oriented arena. To some degree, it works, but not entirely. Songs like the almost-epic "Evading" are synth-heavy, and almost new-wavey, but not wimpy or fey at all. Think Killing Joke's more 'pop' songs, and you won't be too far off. It's sad, sometimes mellow, and only effective part of the time. "Canon For My Beloved" almost reaches some dizzying heights, but just never quite makes it to these ears. Maybe it's the dated drum sound/programming...maybe it's Bell's limited vocal capacity. I hear a great album from Bell, but this is not the one. I admire his gutsiness in possibly alienating many of his metalhead fans. "Moonshine" is a pretty, shimmery, minor key pop song, for example. Perhaps even more surprising is the group's cover of "The Sounds Of Silence" (yes, that one), which could/should have been catastrophic, but Bell and Bechdel and company keep it faithful and close, and thus this is an unlikely success. Bell's lofty aspirations haven't quite been reached with this unsteady album, but it's a good place to start, and hints at some greatness yet to come. (13th Planet)

The Watchers site

"Wicked Lake" (director: Zach Passero)

Hmm. So I keep trying to think of something good to say about this no-budget sleaze/horror flick by Texan director Passero. It's made notable due to the inclusion of a 'score' arranged by Alien Jourgensen. And the man hisself appears in it, albeit briefly. But even THAT I can complain about. It's not so much a soundtrack as a sampler of Jourgensen's 13th Planet songs - album cuts from Ministry, Revolting Cocks, Prong, Ascension Of The Watchers, etc. Ah well. The film? Well, it's a tale centered around a quartet of lovely (and often naked) college girls who give a backward hick-town (and it's nasty, predatory men) more than they bargained for. It's bloody, mean, crude, and really pretty poorly scripted. The titillation is mild and pedestrian, even cold. The characters are unlikeable and undeveloped. The acting is often choppy and over the top, and the blood is, well, the strong point of 'Wicked Lake'. Not a film for discriminating horror fans, and probably only of interest due to the Ministry/Revco connection. Nah.

Wicked Lake flash site

Ministry And Co-Conspirators - "Cover Up" CD

Man, how the mighty have fallen. I have been a fan of Al Jourgensen's many projects since about, oh, 1987 or so. There were the best of times (the mighty 'Land of Rape and Honey', the powerful 1989/90 tour with the all-star band)..Hell, even 'Twitch' was a momentous LP for me. I kinda lost track with 'Filth Pig', 'Dark Side Of The Spoon', 'Animositisomina', et al, as Jourgensen and Barker, it seemed, had stagnated. Fast-forward to about a decade later. Barker is gone, having moved on to the fine U.S.S.A. and other ventures (including the highly-anticipated Flowering Blight). In his (sorely-missed, if you ask me) absence, Al gathered another motley group of metal-heads (and the awesome Killing Joke bassist Paul Raven, RIP brother), and bashed on Bush for 3 albums, which I thought were pretty good, really - incendiary and packed with ultra-fast thrash metal. So here it is, 2008, and Jourgensen has announced the 'end' of Ministry. This collection of covers is the supposed swan song, and man, it sucks balls. Where do I start? The rowdy rock of 'Bang A Gong' and 'Radar Love' are positively idiotic. 'Black Betty'? Pointless. 'Supernaut' is re-hashed yet again. It was cool when it was 1000 Homo DJs for Wax Trax! back in 1990 or so, but here, re-released for the fourteenth-or-so time is just plain lazy. 'Roadhouse Blues', voxed by Fear Factory mainman Burton Bell, is taken from the LAST Ministry CD (why??? It was less than a year ago!), and Jourgensen even dips into the Barker days, re-releasing their dandy cover of Dylan's 'Lay Lady Lay' again. The best here is the finale - a very Ministry-sounding 'What A Wonderful World'. The rest of the disc has guest vocals, flat production, and truth be told, most of it sounds nothing like Ministry should. Bleah. Sorry, but I think this is 12 steps back. (Thirteenth Planet)
Another listen a few days later and I am amazed at how awful this one is...I am sad.