It seems as if the hard partying days have finally caught up to Ministry’s front man and leader Al Jourgensen. The man has decided to make “The Last Sucker” Ministry’s swan song, and if that is the case, he has done so on a very high note. With two albums that bashed and criticized the shit out of the Bush administration; 2005’s “Houses of the Molé” and 2006’s “Rio Grande Blood”, Ministry played at their very best. Heavy industrial noise fused with thrash riffs and punk rock angst made those two albums some of Jourgensen’s best work in years after a string of disappointing albums and highly publicized battles with drug addiction.

“The Last Sucker” is the final part in Al Jourgensen’s trilogy of anti-Bush albums. This administration has fueled his creativity, becoming his muse as he so happily stated not too long ago. The Bush administration has done a myriad of amoral decisions and metal fans are reaping the benefits. “The Last Sucker” is clear proof of this. Being Ministry’s last album according to Jourgensen, in a way this feels like a greatest hits collection; every aspect and elements present in Ministry’s career show up at one point or another. The album is more akin to the last two albums, because of the context and lyrical themes present, but it’s hard to ignore the manic drum machines heard in the background and some gigantic riffs that aren’t very fast, but are pounding and heavy, and also very reminiscent of the band’s golden age from “Psalm 69”. Jourgensen’s ability to mix two genres is without a match, and rightly so; his band has not only survived the test of time, it has also endured constant line up changes, death (bassist Paul Raven recently passed away) and personal demons that have constantly haunted them, in particular Jourgensen.

Musically, this is the most satisfying album from this band. Grooving songs like “Watch Yourself”, “Life Is Good”, “The Dick Song” and the title track move along nicely with Ministry’s trademark riffs, techno-on-acid drums and Jourgensen’s staple vocal distortion. The more thrashing and heavier songs come with the fast opener “Let’s Go”, the hyper speed jump of “No Glory” and “Death and Destruction”. The album also finds Jourgensen experimenting as usual, with songs that have influences not commonly found in the bands catalog. “Die in a Crash” is an upbeat song that feels more like punk rock than anything else; it feels as the industrial punk song Bad Religion never recorded. It also features guest vocals by Burton C. Bell of Fear Factory, who also sings in a couple of other songs. Ever the classic rock fan, Jourgensen can’t call it quits without providing a cover song which comes in the form of “Roadhouse Blues” from The Doors. The album comes to an end with “End of Days Pt. 1” and “End of Days Pt.2” which are Jourgensen’s subtle and yet bombastic way of saying goodbye.

Ministry has given metal and industrial fans great records since their birth in 1981, and have surpassed al the troubles and trials most bands (and that is good bands) have to face. “The Last Sucker” is Ministry doing what they do best; heavy industrial metal that is poised with social and political criticism. Although this may be Ministry’s final album, I have a feeling it won’t be the last we hear from Al Jourgensen.