Ministry - From Beer to Eternity

Ministry is one of those bands, I followed religiously, during the late 80's through the mid 90's, but for some reason, they fell off my radar.  I feel like they peaked on Psalm 69 and then after that, I became disinterested.  I checked things out, from time to time, but for some reason it didn't grasp me like the earlier material.  It wasn't until the release of their documentary Fix, a few years back, that my interest peaked again.  Fast forward a few years, and the band has just released their 13th studio album From Beer to Eternity.  Al Jorgensen, contends that this is the band's swansong, but this isn't the first time he has uttered those words.  He has been threatening to shut the band down, since 2011.  This may be it though, with the recent passing of guitarist Mike Scaccia.  The guitarist died shortly after the CD was recorded and was not only an integral part of the band, but also a very close friend of Jorgensen.

From Beer to Eternity may be the most complete Ministry CD, of their career.  It encompasses all that the band has been about, musically, into one solid release. There are also some surprises on the CD, like the reggae tinged Thanx but, No Thanx, which is classic Ministry with a island vibe to it.  I also dug the funky/soul inspired Lesson Unlearned.  There is a lot of variety on this CD, which kept me hooked throughout.  It has all of the heavy elements, of the band from the early 90's, with a couple of twists.  If this, indeed, ends up being the last Ministry album, at least they went out on a high note.

Bottom Line: Ministry sounding better that they have in years.  A solid album from start to finish.  Classic elements of Ministry mixed with some new ideas.  Essential for all Ministry fans.

Standout Tracks: Lesson Unlearned, Change of Luck, Punch in the Face and Change of Luck

- Ragman enjoyed this one much more than he initially thought he would and that is a good thing!

Sinner - Touch of Sin 2

What do you do, if you don't own your own music anymore.  Re-record it!  That seems to be the new trend, for bands that got screwed back in the day,  The latest band to do that was Sinner.  Sinner have just hand picked 11 tracks, from their past, to re-record for their latest release, Touch of Sin 2.  As a bonus, the band has also included 3 new tracks to get the tally of the CD up to 14 tracks.  Pretty sweet.  Of the new tracks, my favorite is their cover of the Thin Lizzy classic Don't Believe a Word.  The band has put a new spin on this classic, and it works.   The other new track to kick my ass, is Blood in the Sand, which also pays homage to Thin Lizzy.  There are some nice guitar harmonies, ala Gorham and Robertson.  It is no secret, that Mat is a Lizzy fan and he does some fitting tributes on this release.

I have to say I really dug the re-records as well.  To be honest, I didn't discover Sinner until the mid-90's, on the The Nature of Evil record, so the material on this disk, was pretty new to me.  There are some really strong tracks, like the opener Born to Rock, which starts off with a killer heavy riff, reminiscent of classic Accept.  The next track to grab my ear was the mid-tempo rocker, Knife in my Back.  It is a killer tune, with a catchy melody and chorus.  That is the thing about this CD, every track has that winning formula.  The only knock, that I can give the record, is that some of the lyrics are a bit cheesey, but you do have to remember, these tracks were written in the 80's.  This one will make old fans happy and hopefully win over some new recruits.

 

Bottom Line: Sinner breathing life into some forgotten treasures.  This is a solid release from start to finish.  Take the cheese factor our of the lyrics and this one contends to be one of the stronger releases from Sinner, in some time.

Tracks to give the Horns Up to: Born to Rock, Don't Believe a Word, Knife in My Heart and Shout.

-Ragman wished that other re-records came out this well.  Nice job lads!

Famous Underground - S/T

Do you remember Slik Toxik?  I do sort of.  They hit the scene, right as grunge was rearing it's ugly head, back in the early 90's.  The band had some moderate success, but soon disappeared, as most hard rock bands, did at the time.  Even though grunge killed the scene in the early 90's, vocalist Nick Walsh has persevered and has been flying the hard rock/metal flag.  His latest endeavor is Famous Underground, which is a nice mix of 80's tinged hard rock with a modern vibe.  The CD starts off strong with the opener Wasteland and does not let up from there.  The songs are well executed and catchy as hell.  There is a nice mix of rockers with a couple of ballads thrown in for good measure.  The songs have a heavy edge, but overflow with melody.  This is one of those CD's, that you catch yourself singing along to, after just a few spins.  Go get this one.

 

Bottom Line: 80's tinged melodic hard rock with an edge.  Welll crafted tunes that are memorable and that will stick with you.  Nick Walsh showing that you can't keep a good man down, and that he can rock as hard as he did 20 years ago.

Standout Tracks: Wasteland, Love Stands Still, Dead Weight and On Broken Wings

-Ragman likes a good comeback story.

Podcast #156: Maestro

We see you trying to hide behind your black guitar, Ethan! Now make with the shreddery!What's the state of the instrumental guitarist market these days? In an ever more challenging market can a guy make it on his own as an instrumentalist? Join Genghis and Ragman as they discuss these challenges making it as a solo artist. Speaking of which, the lads caught newcomer Ethan Brosh and his band opening for The Maestro, Yngwie Malmsteen live in H-town and give you the skinny on the show and more - including an interview with Ethan who discusses his latest solo effort, Live the Dream, and his 80s-tinged band project Burning Heat. The Bonus Plan: We briefly chatted with New York prog group Martyrd between sets as well. It's a 7th anniversary blow out!

DVD of the Show: Yngwie J. Malmsteen - Far Beyond the Sun

Beer of the Show: Yogi Spiced Amber (Rogness Brewing Company)
	Appearance: 3.5 Aroma: 3.0 Palate: 2.5 Taste: 2.5 Overall: 2.5	"If this beer tasted as good as it smells, it would be a solid four all the way. Unfortunately..."

Featured Tracks: Yngwie Malmsteen - I’ll See the Light Tonight and Crystal Ball; Alex Skolnick - Filet of Soul; Deadlands - She’s on Fire; Jeff Loomis - Requiem for the Living; Martyrd - The Keeper and Pain or Reason; Ethan Brosh - Silver Lining, Space Invaders, Knock on Wood, Suspicious Exchange and When Picks Fly

Ragman’s Classic of the Show: Lost Horizon - Perfect Warrior

Genghis’ Classic of the Show: Hanoi Rocks - Back to Mystery City

BY THE WAY: Happy 7th birthday to us! And thanks to all of our listeners. Horns Up!

- Ragman can't believe another year has passed by...

Podcast #156: Maestro

Podcast #155: Laurels

Hard rock versions of The Fab Four might just be crazy enough to work...Is it right for an artist to live off his past glory? So many artists leave the bands that made them a household name to become solo acts while relying on their former band's material when they play live - despite having good music on their own (e.g. Sebastian Bach, Vince Neil, David Lee Roth). Join Genghis and Ragman as they discuss the artists they wish would play more solo material and leave the past behind them. Next, the boys round up Grg III from Beatallica for a fireside chat, as Grg discusses the band's debut CD, Abbey Load as well as how the band came together.

DVD of the Show: Sebastian Bach - Abachalypse Now

Beer of the Show: Brainless on Cherries (Epic Brewing Company)
	Appearance: 4.0 Aroma: 2.5 Palate: 2.5 Taste: 2.5 Overall: 2.5	"What started out as an outstanding looking beer turned out to be a gorgeous disappointment."

Featured Music: Black Cowgirl - The Ride; Sebastian Bach - Kicking and Screaming; Halford - Resurrection; David Lee Roth - Drop in the Bucket; Vince Neil - Another Bad Day; Slaughter - All Fired Up; Ozzy Osbourne - My Little Man; Stratovarius - Castles in the Air; Beatallica - Come Together, Help!, Michelle, Please, Please Me, Her Majesty and The End

Ragman's Classic of the Show: Danger Danger - Crawl

Genghis' Classic of the Show: Giant - Innocent Days

Ragman Pick of the Show: Pretty Maids - I See Ghosts

Genghis Pick of the Show: In the Silence - Serenity

- Ragman is trying to make up for lost time...

Podcast #155: Laurels