Ministry – Sphinctour 2xLP

This live collection highlighting Ministry’s finest efforts kicks off like the soundtrack to an epic horror film and only gets better. Ministry main madman Al Jourgensen’s death-metal-influenced vocals, industrial sonics, and visual aesthetic helped pave the way for Nine Inch Nails and Marilyn Manson; for a few years, subsequent to 1992’s Psalm 69, their star shone brightly. But band inactivity and a plethora of side projects, including Lard and 1000 Homo DJs (featuring NIN’s Trent Reznor) knocked Ministry off track. Still, this solid, well-recorded set showcases their forceful, mesmerizing power. Especially potent are “Just One Fix,” the controlled bedlam of “NWO,” and the punk-metal guitar fury of “Hero,” all of which indicate Ministry is still worthy of worship.