Relapse - Ministry
  • Band Name: Ministry
  • Record Label: AFM
  • Release Date: Mar 26, 2012
Metascore
68 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 8
  3. Negative: 1 out of 8
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  1. Kerrang!
    Apr 26, 2012
    80
    Relapse finds them wielding those familiar sledgehammer beats and streamlined thrash riffs in a most effective fashion. [7 Apr 2012, p.52]
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  2. Metal Hammer (UK)
    Apr 6, 2012
    80
    Relapse is Ministry's most varied (and interesting) album in years. [May 2012, p.98]
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  3. All Music Guide
    Mar 29, 2012
    70
    This is a harder and faster-than-usual album from the group, and yet there's also a heavier element of control throughout.
  4. Billboard.com
    Apr 2, 2012
    66
    While Jourgensen seems re-engaged with his music, he's also more disinterested than ever in the wider pop culture.
  5. NOW Magazine
    Apr 5, 2012
    60
    Relapse isn't their best work by far, but if you listen to it next to their genuinely great albums like Psalm 69 or The Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Taste, it stands up better than the cranky metal/industrial establishment--who've been dissing it mercilessly--would have you believe.
  6. Exclaim
    Mar 29, 2012
    40
    Sadly, Relapse sounds like an uninspired band ripping off, and attempting to sound like, classic Ministry.
  7. Consequence of Sound
    Mar 29, 2012
    40
    For this sort-of-but-not-quite comeback album, move right along.
  8. The Quietus
    Mar 29, 2012
    10
    This new material represents not only their most heinous effort to date; it might in fact be among the most appalling things to ever exist, empirically speaking.

User Reviews

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User Score
6.4 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 5 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 1 out of 4
  1. Joeym
    7
    I have massive respect for Ministry; Al Jourgensen and the gang have made some of the most memorable songs in my music collection, Jesus built my hotrod will always be a timeless classic!
    I enjoyed relapse despite its god awful album cover. Double tap, 99 percenters, the two singles stand out most in the album, showing the typical brutally fast guitars and drums which is similar to that of Rio Grande Blood. The thing that disappointed me is that unlike Rio Grande Blood, very few songs stood out in the album. To me it seems like the album was released quickly to ride the wave of popularity the occupy wall street movement was generating, so perhaps did not reach its full potential as an album. However, this album still rocks and shows that Ministry have got a lot to say still. I am heartbroken to hear that they are splitting up after their next album.    … Full Review »
  2. DJohnson
    10
    epic
  3. fabrykamagazine
    2
    At one time in their career Ministry brought hard hitting, creative ideas into fruition. This was attractive to both fans and media. However, forcing the franchise to draw attention in todays industry climate produces music that is missing primal, real and controlled anger.
    Indeed, we the fans as well as the music industry wanted the return of Ministry, but we expected the one we've known from some of their best albums that have spanned decades. Extensive use of the slogan "the fathers of industrial metal" in terms of the Relapse album is quite a stretch. This is exactly the same kind of promotional trick Filter used when they advertised their most recent and weakest album Inevitable Relapse (sic!) by comparing it to their most famous album Shortbus (which includes the hit song â    … Full Review »
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