Cocktails, comprised of often unorthodox ingredients which some how marry to create an absolutely brilliant drink. Other can leave a bad taste in the mouth. Opting to go it alone Ministry frontman Al Jourgensen stepped behind the bar and has a full stock of drinks for his debut solo album Surgical Meth Machine.
[tracklist]
- I’m Sensitive
- Tragic Alert
- I Want More
- Rich People Problems
- I Don’t Wanna
- Smash And Grab
- Unlistenable
- Gates Of Steel
- Spudnik
- Just Go Home
- Just Keep Going
- I’m Invisible
[/tracklist]
[details]
[length]40:00[/length]
[record_label]Nuclear Blast Records[/record_label]
[release_date]April 15th 2016[/release_date]
[/details]
Diving into Surgical Meth Machine there has to be an understanding that literally anything goes. In a way completely allowing for artistic freedom tackling issues from the spoilt musicians in “I Don’t Wanna“sounding perfectly like a whining child with a backdrop of industrial wall of sound. Album opener “I’m Sensitive” breaks the fourth wall temporarily setting the tone for the lyrical subject matter addressing Facebook comments and Jourgensen’s complete lack of caring. Which upon first listen I found jarring, erratic and unpredictable yet second time round these bombastic incorporation of noises, breakneck drums and surprisingly very good riffs make for a great track. “Tragic Alert” sees the more industrial persona of our conflicting personalities rear its head temporarily with some great riffing.
Playing with the very idea of the “Unlistenable” the track pushes the boundaries of experimental. Corroding from the inside created by multiple production trickery using the fade across headphone instant cutting out with various effects make the song definitely hard to stomach but makes for a surprisingly fun segue. If one thing is clear that Jourgensen is not afraid of voicing his opinion name dropping several huge bands even including Nickelback. Followed by the punk sounding “Gates Of Steel” whilst still retaining its pseudo steampunk essence makes for a nice change after the difficult previous track using the same key slides into the space themed “Spudnik“. Moving into electronic territory with the dark ambience of “Just Go Home” would be well qualified in relating to an acid trip.
The true mastery in creating the perfect drink is an understanding of your ingredients. Surgical Meth Machine at first seems like a barbed wire coated battering ram into the psyche, yet somehow it sinks its teeth into the listener. The idea of limitless creativity in a solo album is paramount in Surgical Meth Machine. Entering the somewhat warped mind of Jourgensen where the likes of country jazz outro “I’m Invisible” might appear. As long as you play by his rules, sit back and enjoy the depraved ride then you could well be coming back for more.
[verdict]Maybe[/verdict]
[why]If at first it seems hard to understand don’t dismiss Surgical Meth Machine. Though it might not be the easiest pill to swallow it’s an eclectic and truly mental ride.[/why]
