Ministry - Sphinctour

Rating:
Summary: Too much, too late - but still MINISTRY LIVE!
Review: First I will qualify that I have seen Ministry live twice (New York 1996) at the Roseland and San Francisco (1999?) at the Warfield. They are without a doubt the best, most exciting live band in the world (other than when Al has had too much to drink!). I have every single album and video,read every interview available on the Internet and have been a fan ever since hearing "Effigy" back in a dark-wave disco in the early 80s (one of their best tracks ever - what a shame they never do that one or "Over the Shoulder" or "Halloween" in concert anymore!). I must remark, NYC 1996 was probably the best gig Ministry ever did and parts of it are on this video - so take that for what it is worth. Check for Jourgensen in pillbox hat, black trenchcoat, dark shades and riding boots - absolutely the coolest he has ever looked! Now, my criticism - I feel Ministry could have done better. First off, why did they wait 6 years to release this concert footage?! Surely there have been enough concerts videotaped since then that they could have put "Bad Blood", "Supernaut" and some Revolting Cocks covers onto this compilation - major disappointment. Next item, the video switches every 5 seconds from one concert venue to another so you see Jourgensen alternating personas - from scraggly deadhead-look to ultra-euro fascist with jack boots - to top hat, to Mapleleafs hockey jersey, to beany, to balding and nodding off at the mike. Now, Jourgensen is my hero - don't get me wrong. What I think was an editorial blunder here was that each venue could have been a unique composition and should have been left uncut and unedited - especially the NYC Roseland gig. Other than that - the video is cranking and a must for Ministry addicts (and other assorted addicts!) Request - please re-release the video uncut, unedited with each venue locational footage left intact and include some newer stuff like "Bad Blood" etc. Then I can give this 5 stars!

Rating:
Summary: Too much, too late - but still MINISTRY LIVE!
Review: First I will qualify that I have seen Ministry live twice (New York 1996) at the Roseland and San Francisco (1999?) at the Warfield. They are without a doubt the best, most exciting live band in the world (other than when Al has had too much to drink!). I have every single album and video,read every interview available on the Internet and have been a fan ever since hearing "Effigy" back in a dark-wave disco in the early 80s (one of their best tracks ever - what a shame they never do that one or "Over the Shoulder" or "Halloween" in concert anymore!). I must remark, NYC 1996 was probably the best gig Ministry ever did and parts of it are on this video - so take that for what it is worth. Check for Jourgensen in pillbox hat, black trenchcoat, dark shades and riding boots - absolutely the coolest he has ever looked! Now, my criticism - I feel Ministry could have done better. First off, why did they wait 6 years to release this concert footage?! Surely there have been enough concerts videotaped since then that they could have put "Bad Blood", "Supernaut" and some Revolting Cocks covers onto this compilation - major disappointment. Next item, the video switches every 5 seconds from one concert venue to another so you see Jourgensen alternating personas - from scraggly deadhead-look to ultra-euro fascist with jack boots - to top hat, to Mapleleafs hockey jersey, to beany, to balding and nodding off at the mike. Now, Jourgensen is my hero - don't get me wrong. What I think was an editorial blunder here was that each venue could have been a unique composition and should have been left uncut and unedited - especially the NYC Roseland gig. Other than that - the video is cranking and a must for Ministry addicts (and other assorted addicts!) Request - please re-release the video uncut, unedited with each venue locational footage left intact and include some newer stuff like "Bad Blood" etc. Then I can give this 5 stars!

Rating:
Summary: PUT IN CASE YOU DIDN"T ON DVD!
Review: I must remark, NYC 1996 was probably the best gig Ministry ever did and parts of it are on this video - so take that for what it is worth. Check for Jourgensen in pillbox hat, black trenchcoat, dark shades and riding boots - absolutely the coolest he has ever looked! Now, my criticism - I feel Ministry could have done better. First off, why did they wait 6 years to release this concert footage?! Surely there have been enough concerts videotaped since then that they could have put "Bad Blood", "Supernaut" and some Revolting... covers onto this compilation - major disappointment. Next item, the video switches every 5 seconds from one concert venue to another so you see Jourgensen alternating personas - from scraggly deadhead-look to ultra-euro fascist with jack boots - to top hat, to Mapleleafs hockey jersey, to beany, to balding and nodding off at the mike. Now, Jourgensen is my hero - don't get me wrong. What I think was an editorial blunder here was that each venue could have been a unique composition and should have been left uncut and unedited - especially the NYC Roseland gig. Other than that - the video is cranking and a must for Ministry addicts (and other assorted addicts!)

Rating:
Summary: Too much, too late - but still MINISTRY LIVE!
Review: I must remark, NYC 1996 was probably the best gig Ministry ever did and parts of it are on this video - so take that for what it is worth. Check for Jourgensen in pillbox hat, black trenchcoat, dark shades and riding boots - absolutely the coolest he has ever looked! Now, my criticism - I feel Ministry could have done better. First off, why did they wait 6 years to release this concert footage?! Surely there have been enough concerts videotaped since then that they could have put "Bad Blood", "Supernaut" and some Revolting... covers onto this compilation - major disappointment. Next item, the video switches every 5 seconds from one concert venue to another so you see Jourgensen alternating personas - from scraggly deadhead-look to ultra-euro fascist with jack boots - to top hat, to Mapleleafs hockey jersey, to beany, to balding and nodding off at the mike. Now, Jourgensen is my hero - don't get me wrong. What I think was an editorial blunder here was that each venue could have been a unique composition and should have been left uncut and unedited - especially the NYC Roseland gig. Other than that - the video is cranking and a must for Ministry addicts (and other assorted addicts!)

Rating:
Summary: Good, worth buying, but...
Review: I wanted to give this 5 stars, I really did, but...I do have some complaints that others will notice. First, some of these songs are too damn long. Although, I guess this could just be a trade mark of ministry, they have always been like that.
next, (and I guess this may be a good thing or a bad thing depending on your point of view), this is many concerts put in to one (similar to ozzy's live and loud. In a way you cant help but wonder how live what your watching is, and how much was edited or overdubbed.) Although, the many concerts spliced together gives you a look at the singers many wardrobes, and differnt types of crowds. So, I guess there is 2 ways to look at this.
On the upside, the DVD is very good. I would even say I think it is better than their "tapes of wrath" DVD. The songs are heavier, better, and more up close. The sound is very good, and the picture is good also. This is deffinitly worth adding to your collection.
(BTW - when you watch this, you'll see the singer giving hard liquor to people in the audience, pantera does this too. I always wondered how bands dont get in trouble for this (for possible minors in the crowd). Oh and im NOT complaining about this, I personally think its funny and a great way for a band to promte themselves, but some old-conservative shrew would probably take offense to it.*LOL*) Long live Ministry!!!!

Rating:
Summary: Ministry at it's best
Review: Since "In case you didn't feel like showing up" video, this is a great chance to watch the full live potential of the band. In this case, the 96' Sphinctour, with an heavier than ever sound, and even a more "rockstar" look icons.
The picture quality and the sound are outstanding,the performances are in top form too. The only complaint's that cost's the star missing, are the bonus section (an interview with guys so fascinating like Al & Paul well worth it!), with the less apportative backstage passes.
Like Al said, it's fun to watch this "kodak moments", with the distance of time. And recreate these fine moments with increadibly improved songs like "Just One Fix", and almost all the Filthpig material (compare the two versions of Crumbs), except for "The Fall", the only musical disapointment. So this is an even stronger reason to buy the DVD, because this one closes with the timeless anthem "Stigmata", and the Cd does not.

Rating:
Summary: Ministry at it's best
Review: Since "In case you didn't feel like showing up" video, this is a great chance to watch the full live potential of the band. In this case, the 96' Sphinctour, with an heavier than ever sound, and even a more "rockstar" look icons.
The picture quality and the sound are outstanding,the performances are in top form too. The only complaint's that cost's the star missing, are the bonus section (an interview with guys so fascinating like Al & Paul well worth it!), with the less apportative backstage passes.
Like Al said, it's fun to watch this "kodak moments", with the distance of time. And recreate these fine moments with increadibly improved songs like "Just One Fix", and almost all the Filthpig material (compare the two versions of Crumbs), except for "The Fall", the only musical disapointment. So this is an even stronger reason to buy the DVD, because this one closes with the timeless anthem "Stigmata", and the Cd does not.

Rating:
Summary: PUT IN CASE YOU DIDN"T ON DVD!
Review: this is a great live dvd, I would have preffered less Filth pig tracks but it was shot well and the sound is great. the dvd has stigmata and so what which the cd doesn't so buy the dvd

Rating:
Summary: When hard was hard. . .
Review: When I was in high school and college (currently 27) I saw these guys in concert (few times). There was no dancing or moshing . . . it was sprinting. Sure you may like Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park, Korn because they look a little off kilter and pretend to be a bunch of tough guys, mental patients, or hip hopper guys but be aware that Ministry is not playing. They're nasty and it shows. Marylin Manson may like to wear fake breasts scare everyone's parents, but these guys scared me AND my parents. Al Jorgensen(the lead singer) had been in Penthouse and rehab long before the Backstreet Boys so parents beware (he does a little drinkin on tour). These guys are so bad that I doubt there will ever be a VH1 Behind the Music on them so you should definately get this DVD,. . . .its BANGIN. This basically captures the live performances after the euro techno days but before nasty music turned pop. Its in 5.1 channel surround so on a hot system it puts you as close to the action as possible. My fiance is certainly not going to be impressed with this addition to our DVD library, but sometimes you gotta say SO WHAT.