Expanded reissue of Ministry's early singles! Twelve Inch Singles 1981-1984 collects material from the industrial innovator's early days when they were straightforward synth-pop Anglophiles. There's hardly a glimmer of the aggression that would come with later releases, but their early songs are well worth checking out. The sound is heavy on the new wave stylings that were popular at the time, something that the band's leader Alain (later just Al) Jourgensen would go on to disown. Curiously absent is "I Wanted To Tell Her," one of the band's more popular early singles. However, that is made up for by the inclusion of "Same Old Madness," a track that was previously only available as the first music video Ministry released. Includes the songs: "Every Day Is Halloween," "Cold Life," "Same Old Madness," and "Nature Of Love." Sixteen tracks in all. Released by Cleopatra on clear double vinyl housed in a gatefold sleeve with a hand numbered, linen printed photo of the band and a silk screened Ministry tote bag.

• limited to 1000 copies
• clear double vinyl pressing
• gatefold sleeve
• hand numbered, linen printed photo of the band
• silk screened Ministry tote bag
• music label: Wax Trax! Records 1987 / Cleopatra 2014

reviewed by Hank Ohs 03/2016