Al Jourgensen’s Surgical Meth Machine Unleash New Song, ‘Tragic Alert’
Al Jourgensen is one of the most prolific musicians in heavy music, balancing a handful of projects and keeping a watchful hand over Ministry. His latest work comes by way of Surgical Meth Machine, a volatile outfit consisting of just Uncle Al and longtime engineer Sam D'Ambruoso. The intensity is unrelenting on the eponymous debut and a lyric video for "Tragic Alert" just premiered on Alternative Press.
"I hope you enjoy this soundtrack to the New World Order...you should, y'all helped create it," Jourgensen teases when describing "Tragic Alert." The sound closely mirrors "Side FX Include Mikey's Middle Finger (T.V.4)" off Ministry's From Beer to Eternity and is a pummeling aural experience. The song itself is a fit of rage decrying the sensationalism about worldwide tragedies and the "can't look away" mentality that is propagated by the news. Always political, Jourgensen sounds manic and the music behind his lyrical angst is dizzying and maddening, conveying the theme of the message.
Speaking about Surgical Meth Machine, the frontman stated, "I understand it's not a real commercial project for us, it's not gonna put bank in my wallet, but it was a lot of fun to do, in that sense -- of just not having the constraints of the expectations of what you've done for 20 years. So this is ... It's kind of new stuff. It's pretty cool. It sounds like kind of Ministry, but it's a different level. It's like I literally just put my foot on the gas pedal for this record."
Surgical Meth Machine will be out April 15 on Nuclear Blast. Pre-orders for the record can be placed here.
Al Jourgensen recently launched a Ministry bootcamp. Fans will have the opportunity to spend the weekend with the band, jamming with Al and the rest of the group as well as experiencing what it is like to take a band like Ministry on the road.
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