Moral Hygiene

Moral Hygiene
Studio album by
Ministry
ReleasedOctober 1, 2021 (2021-10-01)
Recorded2018–2021
GenreIndustrial metal
Length47:10
LabelNuclear Blast
ProducerAl Jourgensen
Ministry studio albums chronology
AmeriKKKant
(2018) 		Moral Hygiene
(2021) 		Hopiumforthemasses
(2024)
Singles from Moral Hygiene
  1. "Alert Level"
    Released: April 24, 2020[1]
  2. "Good Trouble"
    Released: July 8, 2021[2]
  3. "Search and Destroy"
    Released: August 20, 2021
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Blabbermouth.net8/10[3]
Classic Rock[4]
Kerrang![5]

Moral Hygiene is the fifteenth studio album by American industrial metal band Ministry, released on October 1, 2021.[2] In production for about three years,[6][7][8] following the release of AmeriKKKant (2018), this album marks the band's first collaboration with bassist Paul D'Amour (previously known as the bassist of Tool), who joined Ministry in 2019,[7][9] and the first to include a cover song since Relapse (2012). Moral Hygiene also includes guest appearances from guitarist Billy Morrison, former Megadeth bassist David Ellefson, former N.W.A member Arabian Prince and Ministry frontman Al Jourgensen's former bandmate in Lard, Jello Biafra.[2] It also marks the first album since Rio Grande Blood (2006) to not feature guitarist Sin Quirin, who quit the band in March 2021 following the previous year's allegations of underage sexual relations.[10]

Critical reception

Wall of Sound scored the album 7/10, writing that "the music is as abrasive and confrontational as ever".[11]

Accolades

Publication Accolade Rank
Consequence Top 30 Metal & Hard Rock Albums
19[12]
Loudwire The 45 Best Rock + Metal Albums of 2021
34[13]

Track listing

All tracks written by Al Jourgensen[14] except where noted:

Moral Hygiene track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Alert Level" 6:04
2."Good Trouble" 3:53
3."Sabotage Is Sex" 5:10
4."Disinformation" 4:46
5."Search and Destroy"
4:28
6."Believe Me" 5:52
7."Broken System" 5:57
8."We Shall Resist" 4:30
9."Death Toll" 3:24
10."TV Song #6" (Right Around the Corner Mix) 3:06
Total length:47:10

Personnel

Ministry

  • Al Jourgensen – lead vocals (all except 3), backing vocals, guitars (1, 2, 3, 8, 9), bass (1, 8, 9), samples, keyboards (2, 3, 5, 7, 8), harmonica (2), organ (4), acoustic guitar (6), congas (7)
  • John Bechdel – keyboards (8)
  • Cesar Soto – guitars (all except 5), bass (3, 7, 10)
  • Paul D'Amour – bass (2)
  • Roy Mayorga – drums (1)

Additional personnel

Production

  • Al Jourgensen – production
  • Michael Rozon – engineering
  • Dave Donnelly – mastering
  • Billy Morrison – front/back cover
  • Ban Garcia – layout design
  • Liz Walton – burning car photo
  • Steve Davis – management
  • Scott Sokol/Pinnacle – booking
  • Selena Fragassi – publicist

Charts

Chart performance for Moral Hygiene
Chart (2021) Peak
position
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[15] 65
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[16] 33
Scottish Albums (OCC)[17] 33
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[18] 64
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[19] 10
UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)[20] 7

References

  1. ^ "Watch MINISTRY's Lyric Video For Explosive New Song 'Alert Level'". Blabbermouth.net. April 24, 2020. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c Joe DiVita (July 9, 2021). "Ministry Take Aim at Fascism + Police on New Song, Announce Album". Loudwire. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  3. ^ Lawson, Dom (September 28, 2021). "CD Reviews - Moral Hygiene Ministry". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  4. ^ Sleazegrinder (October 1, 2021). "Ministry: Moral Hygiene album review". Classic Rock. Louder Sound. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  5. ^ Travers, Paul (October 13, 2021). "Album review: Ministry - Moral Hygiene". Kerrang!. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  6. ^ "MINISTRY Is Already Working On Follow-Up To 'AmeriKKKant', Says AL JOURGENSEN". Blabbermouth.net. October 12, 2018. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  7. ^ a b J. Bennett (July 1, 2019). "Ministry's Al Jourgensen on How Playing in a Band Is Like 'Naked and Afraid'". Revolver. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  8. ^ "MINISTRY Is Recording New Album". Blabbermouth.net. March 28, 2020. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  9. ^ Magazine, Bass. "Ministry Releases New Album 'Moral Hygiene' with Paul D'Amour on Bass". Bass Magazine - The Future of Bass.
  10. ^ Consequence Heavy (May 17, 2021). "Guitarist Sin Quirin Quits Ministry Following Last Year's Allegations of Underage Sexual Relations". Consequence Heavy. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  11. ^ kjdraven (September 25, 2021). "Ministry – Moral Hygiene (Album Review)". Wall of Sound. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
  12. ^ "Top 30 Metal & Hard Rock Albums". Consequence. December 15, 2021. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
  13. ^ "The 45 Best Rock + Metal Albums of 2021". Loudwire. December 10, 2021. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
  14. ^ ASCAP. "Ministry". ACE Repertory. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  15. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Ministry – Moral Hygiene" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  16. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Ministry – Moral Hygiene" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  17. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
  18. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Ministry – Moral Hygiene". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  19. ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
  20. ^ "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 9, 2021.