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My March round up. More great music, post metal, some dark folk, electronica, we have your back.

March music round up 2025

No argument about the album version vs. an extended version that doesn’t exist.
Go ahead and argue between the studio version vs. the live version, but I’m quite happy with one of the best songs of all time.

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Uncle Retrospective, lorcan_nagle

So what? 😉

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Sean Robinson, lorcan_nagle

Jesus built my hotrod?

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Uncle Retrospective, Sean Robinson

Heading for the teens. It seems like I’ve been writing this project all my life…

No.24 Depeche Mode – Violator

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Todd, lorcan_nagle

One of the best albums ever.  But Blue Monday is the best synthpop song ever.

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Todd

lorcan_nagle wrote:

One of the best albums ever.  But Blue Monday is the best synthpop song ever.

On Mondays, I typically wear a blue shirt to work.

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lorcan_nagle

Todd wrote:

On Mondays, I typically wear a blue shirt to work.

How does it feel?

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Uncle Retrospective, Sean Robinson, lorcan_nagle

Dave wrote:

Todd wrote:

On Mondays, I typically wear a blue shirt to work.

How does it feel?

I still find it so hard to say what I need to say.

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lorcan_nagle

[Uncle Retrospective]

lorcan_nagle wrote:

One of the best albums ever.  But Blue Monday is the best synthpop song ever.

Ok, that is the correct answer.

• This reply was modified 2 months, 1 week ago by Uncle Retrospective.

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lorcan_nagle

Let’s get a pit started for one of the best 90’s alt rock albums.

No. 23 Deftones – Around the Fur

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Dave

Uncle Retrospective wrote:

Let’s get a pit started for one of the best 90’s alt rock albums.

No. 23 Deftones – Around the Fur

Is the Pixies alt rock? If so Surfer Rosa by the Pixies

[Uncle Retrospective]

Arjan Dirkse wrote:

Is the Pixies alt rock? If so Surfer Rosa by the Pixies

Watch this space, but it’s an 80’s album.

• This reply was modified 2 months ago by Uncle Retrospective.

https://abcnews.go.com/International/brazilian-police-arrest-2-suspects-bomb-plot-targeting/story?id=121448479

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Todd

https://www.nme.com/news/music/jimmy-page-hit-with-new-lawsuit-for-dazed-and-confused-3860604

This month’s blog.

Post rock / metal, metalcore, electronica. We got stuff.

Music roundup April 2025

[Uncle Retrospective]

Uncle Retrospective wrote:

Arjan Dirkse wrote:

Is the Pixies alt rock? If so Surfer Rosa by the Pixies

Watch this space, but it’s an 80’s album.

• This reply was modified 2 months ago by Uncle Retrospective.

Ah that’s right…I think the Pixies have a strong 90s vibe though. They were ahead of their time.

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Uncle Retrospective, Todd

Here we have the best mix of post rock and beats. It kind of reminds me of Pitchshifter but I’m pretty sure 65 would punch me for saying that.

No. 22 65daysofstatic – We Were Exploding Anyway

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lorcan_nagle

At the Commodore in Vancouver.

Die Krupps opened, and really fucking good live.
Like, at the Merch stand and getting a shirt.

Crowd into it probably best Ive seen for the first of 3 bands where not everyone here yet.
Aces baby.
I should listen more

Next up is Thrill Kill Kult, then Ministry

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Uncle Retrospective, lorcan_nagle

So I text you guys as they’re like “Sean! Lets fucking go!” amd Thrill Kill comes on.
Of course I lose them, well now know exactly, just its pretty fucking packed.

A little bit of an iffy start, but they just get better as it goes, like 4 songs in and why the fuck was I worried?

Ah, Sex on Wheels! Its a veey good time and well received!

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Uncle Retrospective, lorcan_nagle

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Uncle Retrospective, lorcan_nagle

So, Ministry, playing ’80’s stuff from before they were hardcore.
Had me a little nervous.

Whoa! Great sound, absolutely owned the stage, all 9 of them.
Great sound, great presence, great everything.
Like way better sound than the ’80’s, played live with heavier guitar.

So very glad I came out.
Some just didn’t because a Monday, some not because a Monday, some not because not the hardcore stuff, and two guys just refused because no Nitzer Ebb on this leg of tour.
I get it, but you just cant have four bands if it’s not a festival.

So anyone that didn’t show did themselves a disservice.
Very good time, with a very professional Al Jourgenson (who I would say at 66 has everything very well under control,)

First encore is awesome second encore has Luc Van Acker cone out (so tenth guy on stage) and doing the Revolting Cocks version of Do Ya Think I’m Sexy (which I could have listened to a whole set of that stuff, but I guess at that age this is what we get).

So yeah, good good time.

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Uncle Retrospective, lorcan_nagle

Sean Robinson wrote:

First encore is awesome second encore has Luc Van Acker cone out (so tenth guy on stage) and doing the Revolting Cocks version of Do Ya Think I’m Sexy (which I could have listened to a whole set of that stuff, but I guess at that age this is what we get).

I’ve seen Ministry live four or five times and I’m jealous of this specifically.  They did do Supernaut when I saw them in 2003 or so though.

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Uncle Retrospective, Sean Robinson

Ministry’s Al Jourgensen announces the end of his iconic, industrial band. But first, one last album and tour – LA Times

After wreaking havoc and dishing out dissonance since 1981 — evolving from its early synth-pop dance roots into the industrial thrash metal chaos it’s best known for — Ministry’s band leader Al Jourgensen is finally ready to call it quits. He’s preparing to put an end to the band’s relentless run of recording and touring — this time for good. But not before one last album and a final world tour, as “Uncle Al” prepares to bring the band’s legendary career to a close.

Speaking on the phone from a tour stop in Canada, he discussed Ministry’s current Squirrely Years Tour — a special run of shows that focuses exclusively on the band’s first two albums, “With Sympathy” and “Twitch.” For the first time in decades, Jourgensen is performing early songs — largely steeped in synth-pop — which he once dismissed, now embracing the full arc of his career. The frontman opened up about reuniting with longtime collaborator Paul Barker, the band’s final album, his disdain for violent mosh pits, and why he never read his autobiography.

When did you decide to bring Ministry to an end? Was it a process or something more abrupt?
Oh, it was a process. After 17 albums, I feel like we’ve pushed the boundaries as far as we could go with this band. I know I’ve got one more album left in me that’ll stretch those limits even further. But I don’t want to end up like one of those bands doing the same riffs for 40 or 50 years — it just gets old. This has been coming for a while. It’s not tied to my past health issues; it’s just time. After our final album comes out next year, we’re doing one last world tour. Then that’s it. I’m done. Time to let the kids take over.

So you’re stepping away from Ministry — but are you stepping away from music entirely?
Not entirely. I’ll still do film scores. I just did one for a documentary called “Long Knife,” about the Koch brothers ripping off the Osage Nation. It’s kind of a follow-up to “Killers of the Flower Moon.” That kind of work still interests me. But being on a tour bus and constantly talking to people? I’m over that.

How’s your health now?
I feel great. It’s a gift to go out in good health and a clear frame of mind. At one point in the early 2000s, I didn’t think I’d ever tour again. I had a ruptured artery in my stomach and was bleeding every day on the road. I just said, “Nope, this isn’t worth it.” But now we’re wrapping everything up intentionally — bringing back people like Paul Barker, recording in old places, ending things right.

You’ve said before that you hate mosh pits. What’s the energy like on this tour, especially with the older material?
Man, this tour is a psychedelic freakout. We’re playing 40-plus-year-old songs, and somehow there’s still a little bit of moshing happening — but not violent. It’s cracking me up. These shows feel like a one-off trip into the past. People are just dancing and enjoying the moment. It’s more like a weird, dark, electronic hippie dance party. I didn’t expect to enjoy it this much.

Is it a different mindset performing the early material versus the heavier Ministry songs?
Oh, hell yeah. But the fans know what they’re getting into. Nobody’s screaming for the ’90s metal stuff. It feels like stepping into a hot tub time machine. We’ve put real work into this setlist, and it’s paid off. I’m genuinely enjoying it.

Will your final tour represent the full scope of Ministry’s career?
Absolutely. It’ll be a two- to three-hour career retrospective. We’ll be covering every era — all 17 albums. We might even bring back two drummers like we did in the ’80s. The final tour won’t just be a greatest hits set — it’ll be a curated journey, and maybe even feature some old friends.

You’ve been open about your battles with addiction. How did that shape you?
Like everyone, I’ve evolved. Twenty years ago, I was a different person. Now people call me “Uncle Al,” and I like that. I’ve been through enough that fewer things bother me. And the things that do matter? I’m more focused on them than ever. I’m grateful for all of it, even the madness — it brought me to where I am now.

Did music help you survive those darker times — or did it make them worse?
Both. Some days, it saved me. Other days, being in the music business made me want to blow my head off. It’s a double-edged sword.

Ministry has always taken on injustice. Are you still fighting the good fight?
That’s the irony of this tour. With everything going on in the world, this felt like the right time to step back and let people remember what joy felt like. That said, the next album will be laser-focused. I haven’t stopped speaking out — if anything, I’ve sharpened my aim.

Is it true you never read your autobiography, “Ministry: The Lost Gospels of Al Jourgensen?”
Never read it. I didn’t even write it. I told stories to a Rolling Stone writer over a gallon of vodka, and their legal team cleaned it up. They handed it back to me as a finished book. The first interview I did about it, they asked, “Did you read it?” I said, “Why should I?” Same thing with watching concert footage — I lived it. Why relive it?

Do you think Wax Trax! Records and the early Midwest scene are overlooked in Ministry’s legacy.
Sometimes, yeah. But real musicians know how important that era was. Wax Trax! was its ecosystem. It’s wild now seeing 14- to 18-year-old goth kids in the front row, right next to 50- and 60-year-olds who were there back in the day. That’s the reward.

What does the very final chapter of Ministry look like?
The new record will be done by Christmas and out by June 2026. Then we’ll hit the road for one last world tour starting next September. Every continent except Antarctica. One year. One final ride. Then it’s over. And I’m good with that.

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lorcan_nagle, Uncle Retrospective

This is what, the third time Al’s ended the band?  Not saying it won’t stick this time but I won’t be surprised if they’re back.

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Ulf, Uncle Retrospective, Sean Robinson, Christian

https://news.northeastern.edu/2025/06/03/taylor-swift-masters-music-ownership/

I remember Prince was very much into regaining his masters and Fogerty refused to play some of his Creedence Clearwater songs because he didn’t want the company that held the rights to profit.

Swift did take advantage of this legal window to re record a few albums to be her own masters, but now that she bought the whole thing, she is happy.

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Todd

So, beers, my mouth, and the last ever Black Sabbath concert is Saturday July 5th.

The “Back to the Beginning” concert, which will mark the final performances from Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne, is set to take place July 5th at Villa Park in Birmingham, England. The stacked lineup includes Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Tool, Slayer, Pantera, Gojira, Halestorm, Alice in Chains, Lamb of God, Anthrax, Mastodon, and many more acts.

My best friends birthday!
Party at my house!
Invites are out!

Umm, someone told me “stream” cant be recorded, or paused very long.

It’s a two hour delay from Live.
My time is 7 am Pacific

Fuck me!
No stranger to stupidity, but 7 am start day drinking is a hidden thing.

Now I’m expected to wear pants!
The horror!

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Ulf, Todd, Uncle Retrospective

Sean Robinson wrote:

Umm, someone told me “stream” cant be recorded, or paused very long.

You can use OBS to just record the output on your screen, works like a charm.

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Todd, Uncle Retrospective, Sean Robinson

This month’s blog.

We have, Irish industrial techno, French post metal/noise rock/goth, Berlin based spooky electronica, indie rock, Worthing based garage and other stuff.

Music round up May 2025

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Christian, lorcan_nagle

No.21

The greatest industrial album of all time.

No. 21 Godflesh – Street Cleaner

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Ulf, lorcan_nagle, Sean Robinson

Uncle Retrospective wrote:

No.21

The greatest industrial album of all time.

Oh yeah! Wanted to let you know that I did send some traffic to your site (hope it helps) and it did spur some talk about the awesomeness of Godflesh, like me and a couple of guys are like “why were we not all over that?” (well, listened to at other people’s houses).

And others are like “guess what we’re listening to real soon, bitch!” (they were the ones all over that shit, including my best friend).

Good times.

And your work is appreciated!
Hoping other people tell you so!

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lorcan_nagle, Uncle Retrospective

Sean Robinson wrote:

And your work is appreciated!
Hoping other people tell you so!

Thanks you so much 😊

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Sean Robinson, lorcan_nagle

No.20 the best Depeche Metal album of all time.

No. 20 Paradise Lost  – One Second

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Christian

As if @arjandirkse requested it.

No.19 Pixies – Surfer Rosa / Come on Pilgrim

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Sean Robinson, Todd

Uncle Retrospective wrote:

No.20 the best Depeche Metal album of all time.

No. 20 Paradise Lost  – One Second

Huh. I listened to “Icon” a lot back in the day, but kind of lost track of Paradise Lost after Draconian Times.

Thanks to your post, I’m currently re-listening to Icon, and I have to say the only track I still recognise is Christendom. Everything else now just sounds like, well, pretty much any nineties metal to me now. Christendom still rings with something different though. Maybe because it was already a step towards the direction you describe for the later albums?
Either way, I’m now going to listen my way through the next albums and looking forward to One Second, cheers for reminding me of them!

Christian wrote:

Everything else now just sounds like, well, pretty much any nineties metal to me now.

Just remember that PL created that sound, everyone else just copied them. :D

Glad you enjoyed the post and hope you like One Second.

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Christian

Uncle Retrospective wrote:

As if @arjandirkse requested it.

No.19 Pixies – Surfer Rosa / Come on Pilgrim

I saw the Pixies perform live about two years ago, and for FREE!!! They were fantastic!

And they played NON. STOP. Maybe a few seconds of breather between songs and for applause, then they went right into the next one. No small talk. Just music. But you could tell they were feeding on the audience’s energy and returning it a thousand-fold. At the end, they did their introductions and said their thank you’s. They were smiling. You could tell they were enjoying what they were doing.

It was a great show.

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Uncle Retrospective, Sean Robinson

Kate Bush’s first album is still amazing.