"Relapse" is the twelfth studio album by American industrial metal band Ministry, released on March 23, 2012. This album marked the band's return after a hiatus following the release of "The Last Sucker" in 2007, which was initially intended to be their final album.
The album showcases Ministry's signature industrial metal sound, characterized by aggressive guitar riffs, heavy use of synthesizers, and politically charged lyrics. "Relapse" was produced by the band’s founder and frontman Al Jourgensen, and the tracks reflect his critical view of contemporary societal issues.
Jourgensen reassembled Ministry with a new lineup for this record, featuring musicians who contributed to the band’s earlier works and brought fresh influences to the project. Themes from the album include critiques of political corruption, media manipulation, and personal struggles with addiction and recovery, reflecting Jourgensen’s own experiences.
The lead single from the album, "99 Percenters," aligns with the themes of the Occupy Wall Street movement, expressing solidarity with the protests against economic inequality. The album received mixed to positive reviews from critics, who appreciated its intense energy and Jourgensen's unrelenting commentary but noted some variability in the impact of individual tracks.
After "Relapse," Ministry continued to release new material, further expanding their legacy within the industrial metal genre.
