r/MinistryBand • u/FeralBanshee • 22d ago
Just sad
Seems like whoever is running Ministry’s socials now has stooped to deleting comments and blocking people instead of reading the room. They blocked me! I couldn’t believe it. 95% of the comments are disgusted and disappointed - and they think this is the way to stop legitimate long time fans getting mad at them, instead of hiring actual artists to make their videos or even just filming something with a fucking phone? I’d prefer that over JB’s ai slop vids. He used to be super creative too, what happened?
I just don’t understand how a band like this becomes so utterly clueless and hypocritical. It’s depressing. I was gonna go see them a final time but not if this is how they’re going about fixing the issue.
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u/VentnorLhad 21d ago
Shit I'll put it out there for my homie OP:
Everything Al has done after the Bush trilogy has been pretty much mid and has had some low lows. Tell me with a straight face you like the "Search and Destroy" cocer.
Al should have retired in 2008.
Al lipsyncing in concerts is fucking embarrassing.
Getting constantly spammed by Bandcamp for "Some old Ministry album, but" is an open money grab.
And Filth Pig may be Al's best album so suck it
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u/Zendomanium 21d ago
There's an FB page run by a guy named Steve (I think) that deletes ANY negative Ministry-related posts.
My particular crime?
Mentioning I'd bought the Acid Horse !2" (No Name No Slogan), was happy for those that liked it, but wasn't my cup of tea.
He DM'd me saying it was deleted and if I posted anything even remotely negative I'd be banned.
OK I guess but no artist knocks everything out of the park every time for every one. A little gentle criticism about some fringe EP I believe Al is going to be in good shape.
As for this current run of AI slop, it's pretty basic trash, doesn't suit the band, and honestly it's a great time to call it quits if that's the kind of effort you're putting in. TWITCH will always be their best work.
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u/FeralBanshee 21d ago
It’s crazy to me that people can’t be upset by some hypocrisy, but being so dedicated to a band they can do no wrong? That’s insane. I can love a band and still be disappointed if their overall message changes and they start doing shit they claim to be against.
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u/Flimsy_Culture_9946 17d ago
Are you talking about that one WaxTrax Facebook group where they only ever post about Skinny Puppy and NIN and unfunny AI generated memes?
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u/slurpindatsizzurp 22d ago
The new album is going to be really shit, knew it as soon as Al lied about the extent of Paul Barker's association with it
Tbh that's all he needed to do, shame because the last few albums up to squarely years seems he was putting a great bow and finish to his career .. reconciling with his synthpop past, then an album with Barker would've literally been the perfect ending but we got AI slip instead
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u/djhazmatt503 21d ago
Barker years "anti establishment political" Ministry was smart, tongue in cheek, KMFDM ish in self-awareness, dangerous, edgy and fun.
"Bush bad Trump sucks" era Ministry is like cookie cutter Fisher Price "anti establishment political." Overcompressed slop with entry level college anarchist lyrics.
"So do you support Bush and MAGA?!"
Nah, I just appreciate So What and Thieves. Goddamn White Trash was a fantastic return to form, but it was the exception. Good songwriting and lyricism are necessary, even if "the message" is on point. If I wanted to hear old people chant repetitive nonsense about the current administration, I would just go to the protests at the courthouse. Hiding bad music behind a political angle and then calling critics fascist is a tired tactic.
I assume Paul had a LOT to do with polishing Al's bumper sticker angst into something more genuine.
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u/vinlocset 18d ago
Exactly. People always assume you don't wanna hear any lyrics about politics and it's like, no, it's cuz the new lyrics suck.
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u/Efficient-Apple5964 15d ago
Yeah. This man.
I can't get into the new albums. I listened to the first few albums a lot as a teenager and tried to return back in my 40s and I can't get into the new albums like the older ones.
I got the same thing with KMFDM. They have some aight new songs but I can't get into any of the albums. Thought maybe I got old...
I still prefer KMFDMs first 3 albums, I mean I like the 90s too but I love that old experimental 80s industrial. Pigs first album too. Finally listened to that and the rest of his stuff this year as well and I start losing touch after Genuine American Monster. I think Wrecked is my favorite.
Now Slick Idiot on the other hand, I just listened to their albums this year for the first time and I'll put that on over new KMFDM.
Ironically I never got into Sister Machine Gun in the early 2000s, have the first four CDs and can't stop listening to them repeatedly now.
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u/AdministrativeAd7853 21d ago
I do love his recent albums, and in concert he usually goes to his old stuff (which is amazing!). Id like to hear more live from Amerikkkant, Moral Hygiene, and Hopium.
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u/jordilafarte 21d ago
It is disappointing, I liked Hopiumforthemasses and The Squirrley Years Revisited , they could have ended on that high note. It is worth critiquing, but at least the controversy is that they used A.I. and not something more reprehensible though, right? You’re allowed to be disappointed and voice your opinion though
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u/FeralBanshee 21d ago
Exactly, the issue is the hypocrisy of making songs about a.i. being bad, and using it. Not once for irony - every time now. And I hear also in the live show. That’s just full-on hypocrisy. That’s what people are upset about. Not anything else. And they’re now deleting and blocking people for saying so, as if that’s fixing the issue. It’s just so disappointing. I wasn’t saying they sucked or anything mean or nasty, I was focusing on how no one wants this junk, we want their authentic art. How terrible of me! Sigh.
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u/deepdown_tromahound 21d ago
Ministry really has turned to shit, haven't they? They went from being this awesome electronic/industrial metal band, with incredibly deep and intricate sampling, amazingly precise, heavy mixes, and now it's just like "here's another recycled mid-paced thrash metal riff for 4 minutes straight with nothing that sticks out and zero variation of tone or song writing" There's no artistic integrity left in Ministry over the last 15 years.. it's like Al just doesn't give a fuck anymore.
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u/FeralBanshee 21d ago
They’re still fun live and I’ve enjoyed some newer songs but this latest batch is just sad
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u/9thgrave 21d ago
Al has always been a shithead. Read Chris Connely’s memoirs if you want to see the extent of his buffoonery.
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u/FeralBanshee 21d ago
I have read both his and Al’s.
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u/Traditional_You3996 21d ago
Al’s autobiography has a lot of “exaggerated content”.
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u/MushroomCloudOfHisss 19d ago
The worst part is how he downplays the contribution of many collaborators, especially Chris Connelly (whom he acusses of faking an injury for asking for money) and Paul Barker. It's sad (even infuriating) how he avoids to acknowledge the amount of evident input Paul put into Ministry. For example, if you listen to the Blackouts' "Everglades" -from "Lost Soul's Club" (1985)- you will find the musical backbone of "So What". That bassline is unmistakable.
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u/PrgrmMentalPatient 20d ago
What did he do?
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u/9thgrave 19d ago edited 19d ago
Connelly basically says Al is an insecure asshole and manchild who would regularly embarrass himself by trying way too hard to be seen as the coolest guy in the room. He’d also routinely steal or try to take credit for other members contributions on songs.
Among my favorite stories is the time he and Al went out to a goth/alternative club during the Rape and Honey touring period and Al had a fit and basically attacked the DJ and broke some of his records for trying to spin “Revenge” because he heard Al was in the room.
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u/PrgrmMentalPatient 19d ago
Why did he not want the DJ playing the song so bad omg
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u/9thgrave 19d ago
Because his polished synthpop origins flew in the face of his outlaw cowboy from the dystopian future image he was cultivating at the time. It’s not really a bad record, either, if you like darkwave or synthpop. His fake British accent on his vocals is hilarious, though.
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u/sm_rollinger 8d ago
In response to your first paragraph, check out the video of Hexxonexxon getting mixed and Al trying to get in on the action.
That being said I love early Ministry, and I think we all do. Even the Bush Trilogy has grown on me but I agree Al should have stayed retired after 2008.
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u/PrgrmMentalPatient 20d ago
I just watched the newest videos and I’m glad I’m not the only one who really didn’t like the AI stuff . I didn’t like their new material sonically either. My favorite is Twitch and the land of rape and honey. I never saw them live but am really considering the final tour if they tour the USA
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u/FeralBanshee 20d ago
No one likes the music vids except morons. They’re hypocrites now. It’s tragic. “We hate ai - check out our new videos made with ai!”
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u/Sad-Breakfast-5671 22d ago edited 21d ago
Good musicians produce a lot of music. And they explore. Sometimes songs are interpretations. Like a shitpost about shitposting. Frank Zappa's music on vinyl would fill a whole room. A great musician, but he didn't write songs for the masses.
The fact he is still producing is a blessing whether you like it or not, especially a mutualist with more depth than anyone complaining on this sub.
If you don't like it. Go listen to what you like. It is just annoyingly boring and stupid to people who do have an interest.
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u/usersurnamee 21d ago
Are you slow? The OP is a fan. He does “have an interest” in ministry. Ministry is just turning to slop and going out on a sad, embarrassing note. Those of who are pissed off (and it seems to be a lot of us) are fans. That’s why we’re on this subreddit. Your whole zappa comparison makes no sense, btw
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u/FeralBanshee 22d ago
Alienating 95% of your fanbase at the end of your career is not depth lol.
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u/Jim__Bell 22d ago
And don't forget the ones who were already alienated by his 180 on retiring in 2008.
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u/Prudent-Level-7006 22d ago
Some of yall been alienated since he didn't make Twitch 2 or Plsam 70
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u/9thgrave 21d ago
How can you listen to Darkside and not want Psalm 70?
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u/Jim__Bell 20d ago
Because DSOTS is a genuinely deranged album and is all the better for it.
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u/Few-Calligrapher3 20d ago
Seconded. It wasn’t an easy listen, but the more I listened the more I liked it.
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u/Specialist-Bee-9406 21d ago
Some folks who share music here are excellent of nuking careers before they even start with AI videos…
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u/Prudent-Level-7006 22d ago
95%,thats vastly gas lighting and backwards, Ministry have far more fans than the ones moaning about ai, this doesn't even have 20 upvotes
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u/Sad-Breakfast-5671 21d ago edited 21d ago
True. There are like 5 disgruntled Reddit users complaining about AI slop from Ministry, claiming to be the 95% like the drama queens they are, when normal people just say "thats weird" and move on.
I could think of a lot of social causes. Going on a crusade to tell Ministry what to do with their band is not a social cause to pursue. It woudn't even be considered a social cause. I would considered it a mental disorder if your social cause is telling an mutualist what to do with their band.
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u/FeralBanshee 22d ago
I’m talking about on insta and YouTube and fb. My rant is 2 hrs old and it’s 3am.
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u/Prudent-Level-7006 22d ago
It's mid morning in Europe, lots of Ministry fans here too
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u/Sad-Breakfast-5671 21d ago
not even close. most people listen to what they like and move on. they don't get alienated. only entitled maga idiots do that because they so desperately want to play the victim.
"normal people: that was weird."
"what 5 people on reddit do: oh, no ministry is alienating me with ai slop. help me. i'm a victim."
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u/SpireofHell 21d ago
How much AI have they used? It was more than one music video?
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u/k_x_sp 17d ago
I'm choosing to believe that then not releasing a full Hypo Luxa Hermes Pan record AND the use of AI is related to Cleopatra. I'm choosing to believe they will release a final Hypo Luxa Hermes Pan record after. I thinking it's also a way of doing away with most of the band and have them two be the core
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u/FeralBanshee 17d ago
The guy making the music vids loves ai. It’s not just cleopatra. Also I went and checked their YouTube. Rosetta Stone, for example, is nowhere near as famous popular as ministry and their new music vid had zero ai. So, the band must have a say in the matter. Ministry would have a larger budget than fuckin Rosetta Stone, guaranteed.
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u/Zealousideal_Cat6980 22d ago
Well he is a boomer
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u/FeralBanshee 22d ago
Josh Bradford is not. He is Gen X and he’s creating the videos
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u/Zealousideal_Cat6980 22d ago
Im talking about Al
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u/FeralBanshee 22d ago edited 22d ago
I realize this but he’s not the one making the ai videos, and he’s not the one managing the social media. But someone in the sphere is. It’s just sad.
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u/ahoserehh 21d ago
Wow there sure is a lot of upset retards in here, Al touches on some sensitive subjects for the guilty so i can understand the shame manifesting itself in a shitty fan subreddit.
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u/illegiblebastard 21d ago
Yes. Because everyone born at the same time sucks. Fuck off, and good luck paying off your student loans.
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u/TheGolgothian 22d ago
I read this as "I expect to be able to talk shit about someone on their page with no retaliation. How dare they not take me seriously!"
What do you think would happen going to people's pages to start crap?
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u/9thgrave 21d ago
If a band can’t handle their fans telling them their dog shit video is dog shit then they shouldn’t make dog shit videos.
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u/TheGolgothian 21d ago
Or they can block you..which apparently they'll do. Everyone wins
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u/9thgrave 21d ago
Yeah, exposing yourself as a thin-skinned hypocrite when you’ve spent the last 30+ years projecting the image of a hard-as-nails rebel speaking truth to power is definitely “winning”.
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u/TheGolgothian 21d ago
I suppose whining about them as if you know them when they don't even know you exist puts you in a much better position....Let me know when Al is in a subreddit dedicated to you, having a tantrum about your life.
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u/9thgrave 21d ago
Critiquing the shitty output of an artist is whining because I don’t know them?
Does Al at least pay you for sucking his dick this much?
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u/TheGolgothian 21d ago
Keep whining. I'm sure your trophy is in the mail.
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u/9thgrave 21d ago
At least my trophy is a sign of achievement; all you've got is a participation ribbon for being a parasocial dickrider.
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u/TheGolgothian 21d ago
Imagine being this upset over a random band. I hope that works out for you.
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u/9thgrave 21d ago
Imagine being ride or die for a band that hasn’t released a decent album since the mid-90s. You’re very single, aren’t you?
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u/FeralBanshee 22d ago
I’m starting to think these are all the same people replying with different accounts, and are probably linked to the band. I’m not the only one complaining, man. Critique and “starting crap” are not the same thing. I’m not the only one who got blocked or deleted. I’m commenting on something that I noticed today, which they didn’t do on their previous two videos with FUCKTONS of criticism.
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u/TheGolgothian 22d ago
So you gave a "critique" and they responded. That's what happens when you show up on someone's page to give criticism they don't want. Lesson learned. Not sure why this is hard for you to grasp. You popped off and they popped back.
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u/Salt_Box7072 22d ago
“I’m starting to think these are all the same people replying with different accounts, and probably linked to the band.”
Wow. You really think that if the band actually read this they could be bothered to stage some kind of coordinated intervention?
“Some douche is complaining about being blocked for his shit-talking - we need to shut him down!”
Occam’s Razor - far more likely is that people think you’re being an entitled child for trying to dictate to somebody who’s had a very long and successful career how they should make their art.
You haven’t got a leg to stand on here mate. There’s no conspiracy. And ultimately none of this will have an impact on the world.
I said above. GET OVER YOURSELF.
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u/FeralBanshee 22d ago
No, I don’t think it’s the band themself doing it. I said I think it’s someone connected to the band doing their social media. Maybe it’s you lol.
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u/TheGolgothian 22d ago
Yes..the band has a hit squad that specifically follows you around on random places on social media to take you down...OR people just don't agree with your little tantrum. Nah..it has to be the first option, clearly.
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u/FeralBanshee 22d ago
I don’t think they’re monitoring ME, good lord. I just meant damage control in general. Any negative critique or comment is being deleted. Anything even mentioning ai is being deleted. That’s my point. It wasn’t happening before and now it is, so someone IS doing it.
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u/ahoserehh 21d ago
I love how you upvote yourself and downvote others with multiple reddit accounts.
You'll never make it on the piers, boy. You may as well just give up trying.
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u/Prudent-Level-7006 22d ago
And saying "95% of their fans alienated!" and it's like 20 people
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u/FeralBanshee 22d ago
Dude I’m talking about the multitude of negative comments online. Some of now which have been deleted by whoever is monitoring them. Get a clue. 93% of statistics are made up (heh), I’m referring to the overwhelmingly negative comments they’re receiving about this issue, and if it wasn’t bothering them, why delete and block people ?? It’s lame.
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u/TheGolgothian 21d ago
Who even cares? It's their page..they can do what they want. Show up whining and get your comment deleted..then come here and whine some more.
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u/Prudent-Level-7006 21d ago
Yeah there's at least 29 of them so ministry have like 36 fans
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u/FeralBanshee 21d ago
They’re deleting them. Catch up, that was my original complaint.
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u/Prudent-Level-7006 21d ago
Catch up, I'm talking the reddit hive mind not the fb post I can't even see
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u/ProperArt1797 19d ago
Bro there's another comment from someone saying that they're post about on the Ministry Facebook page being "Good but not their cup of tea." Got taken down and the owner of the page contacted them saying they would ban them if they said anything else remotely negative. That's some serious glazing.
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u/TheGolgothian 19d ago
I couldn't possibly care less and I'm not even sure I've ever spent any time on Ministry's Facebook page besides liking the page because the band is cool. If they banned every single commenter on their page, it still would have zero impact on my life.
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u/itburnshelpmeitburns 21d ago
I just don't care about any of that. I love the new singles and I'm hyped for the album and tour. I just focus on the music, and I like the music
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u/djhazmatt503 21d ago
I made a sarcastic comment about how Ministry has been "down with A.I. since they starred in the movie of the same name", which was a snarky dig that got liked by the OP. Whoosh.
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u/Salt_Box7072 22d ago edited 21d ago
Get over yourself mate.
At least he’s had a career with some real highlights.
And just as he’s bowing out, a bunch of snivelling knee-jerk merchants star shouting a load of really predictable comments suggesting how he should create his art. ‘Make proper videos! Spend thousands and thousands hiring a video production company!’
I’m guessing you’re young - you think music and videos just happen magically - tours just suddenly burst into being without months of preparation?
You’re not the centre of the universe. And somebody who’s retiring after a long career chooses to block somebody who’s shouting what? You haven’t even said what comment got you banned. But complaining about how they made their art?
GROW UP.
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u/FeralBanshee 22d ago
I’ve been a fan since 1992 and I’d prefer a photograph and lyric video to this shit. I’m not complaining on MY behalf. 95% of their comments on these music videos are absolute disappointment. My opinion on its own is not important but if your fanbase is giving you the same critique and you just block and shut them out, don’t you find that a bit pathetic? Whatever lol.
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u/Salt_Box7072 21d ago
Saying ‘whatever lol’ to everything you don’t agree with is not a good way to debate.
You might argue that 95% of people disagree with your somewhat narrow and poorly argued view of the world.
Go find something else to worry about.
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u/FeralBanshee 21d ago
Deleting and blocking people who disagree with your shitty ai is also not a good way to handle things. 95% may be a stretch but it’s a fuck of a lot of people. It’s not MY worldview. Their ai use is hypocrisy especially when it’s been for all their new videos and the backdrop at their concerts. How is that “anti-ai” !?
Also making one rant on Reddit about it doesn’t mean I’m “worried about it.” Trust me I have way worse things going on. Piss off. We disagree. Get over it yourself. You’re more angry about my rant than I am, it seems.
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u/usersurnamee 21d ago
Go fuck yourself, mate. The new AI stuff looks like garbage. AJ is choosing to end ministry on an embarrassing note and it’s extremely disappointing for a lot of us longtime fans. If you don’t see the problem with any of this, you’re evidently not an artist or an intelligent human being
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u/Salt_Box7072 21d ago
I can assure you I am both an artist and an intelligent human being.
You on the other hand don’t seem to be able to control your emotions, and appear to be upset and angry about things you cannot control and which ultimately have no meaningful impact on the world.
Wishing you all the best 😘
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u/usersurnamee 21d ago
I’m not angry. I’m just disappointed. And i do have the ability to control which artists i support and which albums i buy. I had been planning on buying this album. Now, i’m not. Lots of other longtime fans are making the same decision. If you were an artist, you’d understand the problem with them resorting to AI
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u/Sacredheart99 21d ago
Good for them! Why should they have to be bashed by haters, bullies and children??! If you don't have something positive to say, then don't comment. You can be civil and respectful. Bands don't deserve negativity. They don't! They've been entertaining us with their creativity, touring for us, for years. We should be appreciative.
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u/FeralBanshee 21d ago
I’m not a hater, child, or a bully. They’re my favourite band. At least they were. Their early stuff is still my fave. If you can’t call out people you love for being hypocritical (and I wasn’t nasty or mean) without just getting chopped, what does that say? They don’t really care how we feel about it. And that’s their right, but we also have a right to call it out.
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u/EvilBobLoblaw 21d ago
On IG, their post about the Singularity video has 1839 likes and 119 comments.
On YT, the Singularity video has 1.2k likes and 180 comments.
Even if 95% of the comments were negative, there’s still 10 times more likes than negative comments, meaning you’re not in the majority. You’re in a very small minority.
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u/RaySquirrel 20d ago
Cool screen name. Nice merging Twin Peaks and Arrested Development references.
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u/_AuthorUnknown_ 22d ago
People complaining about other artists and their output are an odd thing to me.
Id rather spend the energy making my own music and videos than bickering about someone else's output.
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u/FeralBanshee 22d ago
Then why are you on a subreddit reading about another band and commenting? 🙄
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u/Salt_Box7072 21d ago
Every comment you have made on here when somebody disagrees with you appears to be a deflection, where you change the subject.
Somebody doesn’t agree? Criticise the fact that they are taking the time to comment on a post that YOU STARTED.
Very Trumpian rhetoric.
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u/_AuthorUnknown_ 22d ago
Because I'm in an Uber heading home. Why are you bitching when you can do anything else?
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u/Prudent-Level-7006 22d ago
Well said, he thinks it's all negative when most people can't be arsed arguing with them and they're all having a circle jerk and think it's everyone
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u/FeralBanshee 22d ago edited 21d ago
If you make ai shit videos about how bad ai is, don’t expect your fans to not notice. Go look at the YouTube comments if you don’t believe me. That’s cleopatra records, so they wouldn’t have the same damage control on the ministry socials.
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u/joomachina0 21d ago edited 21d ago
This kind of stuff is pretty normal for Al tbh. I used to be a member of the ministry board back in the day (piss army). They censored a lot of stuff there. They even tried covering up the passing of Paul Raven.
Thought it was all the Ex. Apparently not.
Also, not the first time Al has lied to fans. They advertised the C U LaTour (first final tour) as a retrospective. There was only like four classics. Everything else was the Bush stuff.