Released 30 years ago
Filth Pig
Ministry · 1996
54 min · 10 tracks · thrash metal
A brooding exploration of heaviness, where industrial grit intertwines with bleak introspection and dissonant melodies.
Top tracks — play these first
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Reload Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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Filth Pig — The title track encapsulates the album's overarching theme of despair through its slow, crushing rhythm and hauntingly nihilistic lyrics, establishing a stark contrast to prior works.
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Useless — With its repetitive yet intense instrumentation, this track explores feelings of futility, making it a compelling representation of the album's somber mood and lyrical content.
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Game Show — The song cleverly critiques societal absurdities using a mix of irony and aggression, illustrating Ministry's ability to blend social commentary with their signature heavy sound.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends industrial elements with metal, showcasing a distinct sound but lacks some cohesion in its pacing.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features tracks that maintain a slow to mid-tempo pace, while the second half introduces more varied dynamics and textures.
- Several tracks incorporate dissonant guitar riffs layered with industrial percussion, creating a dense sonic atmosphere.
- The album includes a cover of Bob Dylan's 'Lay Lady Lay', which stands out for its contrasting arrangement compared to the original.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- long, immersive listening sessions
- dynamic emotional journeys
- haunting atmospheric explorations
- steady, consistent energy levels
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Experimental — Represents a shift to a more subdued sound, blending industrial grit with introspection.
- Themes
- nihilistic despair· societal absurdities· industrial decay
- Career context
- When 'Filth Pig' was released in January 1996, Ministry was navigating a transitional phase following their critically acclaimed album 'Psalm 69'. This record marked a shift toward a more subdued sound, distancing themselves from the frenetic energy of their earlier works as they explored themes of disillusionment and decay.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Nine Inch Nails· Killing Joke· Skinny Puppy
Tracklist
- 1 Reload Start here 2:25
- 2 Filth Pig 6:19
- 3 Lava 6:30
- 4 Crumbs 4:14
- 5 Useless 5:55
- 6 Dead Guy 5:15
- 7 Game Show 7:45
- 8 The Fall 4:54
- 9 Lay Lady Lay 5:44
- 10 Brick Windows 5:23
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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