DC4 – Electric Ministry

DC4 came up with Electric Ministry in order to lay down the law of the land. You can bet your ass that with three Duncans and one Robertson, their latest mission will succeed.  DC4 abandoned the AC/DC Hard Rock style in favor of well-made, fuller, tighter, and heavier ’80s style Heavy Metal.

Electric Ministry can be looked upon as a social tribute to everything that society holds dear (perhaps even sleazy), yet crucial to self hungers.  The band’s shift into the realms of Heavy Metal fit nicely with these themes.  Electric Ministry, even with its downfalls, sounds tougher and vibrant in comparison to what Jeff Duncan’s old band, Armored Saint, did with their La Raza album. DC4 found a new way while Armored Saint lost its way. It is kind of cool when you think about it, and Electric Ministry turned out to be a little bit stronger than their former release Explode.

It starts with “People”, which just explodes with raw heaviness in DC4’s special way. Although its chorus wasn’t that attractive, the riffs were ultimate. “Electric Ministry” also is able to break its fair share of bones. “Broken Soul” tries its best to be a ballad — at first it went well with strong peak moments, however, DC4 decided to mangle the mind with too long of a musical onslaught that didn’t pinch the right way. On the other hand, “Dirty Hands” and its tougher brother “The Ballad Of Rock And Roll” were DC4’s finest hour on being sensitive while taking their music into the hearts of other folks outside of the Metal/Hard Rock genres. Although “The Ballad Of Rock And Roll” was truly touching, “Dirty Hands” stood up as an entirely different story. This song wasn’t about appreciation; it seemed to be deeper, like a life story that should never be forgotten.

Electric Ministry is both dirty and touching at the same time. If the album’s touchy elements don’t make you become a fruit cake, then you’ll find that Jeff Duncan’s vocals, even on the ballads, nearly obliterate that sense. After all is said and done, go ahead and take a deep dive into society’s cravings with this new DC4 release.

Tracklist

1. Wrecktory
2. Electric Ministry
3. XXX
4. Rock God
5. 25 to Life
6. Broken Soul
7. People
8. The Ballad of Rock and Roll
9. Glitter Girl
10. Sociopath
11. Dirty Hands

Lineup

Jeff Duncan – Lead vocals, guitar
Rowan Robertson – Guitars
Matt Duncan – Bass
Shawn Duncan – Drums, percussion