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Written by Marc Farr Wednesday, 23 July 2014 22:51

This set is nothing short of phenomenal.

 

With the sudden, onstage death of lead guitarist Michael Scaccia in December 2012, Ministry’s front man and founder Al “Alien” Jourgensen broke up the band. Now we see the release of Last Tangle in Paris, a two-CD/DVD digipak. Featuring live footage, as well as backstage and interview films, this release is a must-have for any Ministry or industrial music fan.

Included here are detailed liner notes, as well as two discs of music from different “retro” lineups. This package goes through Ministry’s history from 1981 until 2013’s From Beer to Eternity, the last Ministry album ever to be recorded, according to Jourgensen. With Last Tangle in Paris, Ministry offers a great package to go out on.

There is quite a bit of material here to relish. Some of Ministry’s best-crafted songs appear on this release, including “Just Like You,” an angry rant directed at politicians who use fear as the great motivator. “Psalm 69” is a scathing track with hellish drums and a finger pointed at organized religion. The syncopated rhythms and raging guitars create an almost psychedelic effect. “Just One Fix” speaks of a vampirish need to hang on to one’s life, while “New World Order (N.W.O.)” boasts unmistakable riff and lyrics draped in loss and deceit. Rounded out with some newer tracks such as “99 Percenters,” this set is nothing short of phenomenal. A | Marc Farr