MINISTRY mock alt-right extremism with new single "GODDAMN WHITE TRASH"

It's never been much of a secret that Ministry mastermind Al Jourgensen isn't a very big fan of the right wing of American politics. Whether it be through his criticisms of George H W Bush in the early 90s, the Bush Trilogy of the early 200s targeting George W Bush, or recent releases taking aim at Donald Trump, Al has always made his feelings known about the Republican Party and its descent into extremism. Little wonder, then, that their latest single "Goddamn White Trash" (featuring Pepper Keenan of Corrosion of Conformity) now takes aim at the "alt-right" supporter base which has contributed to the rise of radicalised right wing extremism.

There are numerous jabs aimed at various alt-right figures, as the video portrays a training camp for the "White Boys" (a pretty obvious parody of the Proud Boys) and mocking the conservative attempts to boycott Bud Light and instead drink "MAN BEER" in a sea of toxic and fragile masculinity, even alluding to the internalised homophobia of some right wing figures. Even at the age of 64, Uncle Al has no intention of holding back on his contempt for the right, even if recent interviews have alluded to Ministry once more retiring in the near future - this time, for good.

Leaving the song's message to one side, this is a solid track, especially given the lukewarm reception to their past few releases. The production and songwriting feel much like a return to the industrial metal of their peak 90s output compared to the more thrash-driven early 00s sound or the slower, more drawn out songs of 2017's AmeriKKKant. It's a welcome return to form after they felt a bit lost amid the rotating cast of members they've had to go through in the past decade, and gives reason to be optimistic about their nest album HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES, which was originally scheduled for late August but has now been pushed back to early 2024. The full track list is as follows:

01 – “B.D.E.”
02 – “Goddamn White Trash”
03 – “Just Stop Oil”
04 – “Aryan Embarrassment”
05 – “TV Song 1/6 Edition”
06 – “New Religion”
07 – “It’s Not Pretty”
08 – “Cult Of Suffering”
09 – “Ricky’s Hand”

 

HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES is due out via Nuclear Blast on 1 March 2024. Ministry are currently on tour with Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper, and you can find dates here.