Lard - The Power of Lard (1989)^{Release ID: 27351}

So far, it's been an interesting ride through the early years of industrial metal, and what's next after Ministry's entryway into industrial metal? How about a collaborative EP with the legendary Dead Kennedys vocalist Jello Biafra!?

Indeed this was unexpected when Lard's debut came out in 1989, but it wasn't surprising for anyone who was already following Al Jourgensen's side projects like Pailhead with Minor Threat's Ian MacKaye. With Lard, Jourgensen and Biafra have teamed up for a project of ambitious progression. The Power of Lard is a 3-song EP that continues the industrial punk of Pailhead, in addition to Jourgensen's newfound metal influences and Biafra's punk stylings.

The title track practically picks up where Jourgensen left off in his Pailhead, including the pattern; opening slow before building up frantic fast energy. Once the drums roll in, Biafra leads a group in shouting the band's name, "Lard!" Biafra adds his recognizable vocals to socially political lyrics in the verses. It's the kind of commentary to sonically assault the listener! Following this is "Hellfudge", a country rock ramble similar to what you might find in Dead Kennedys, as opposed to the hardcore-speed industrial metal of the first track. The coherent story in the lyrics shows Biafra taking on the role of a Southern TV preacher. I guess you can consider this EP a stroll through different styles...

...And even more so in the 32-minute closing track "Time to Melt", basically a long slow experimental industrial sludge epic about death and rebirth. I wouldn't say this is the best half-hour epic I've ever heard, but it's almost as enjoyable as the first track.

This EP would be the first 3 releases Lard would publish in 1989 and 1990, then after a break, they would release one more album in 1997 and one more EP in 2000, though a possible new album has been teased lately. Despite its lack of activity, Lard is an essential part of the successful careers Biafra and Jourgensen had in their main bands. The Power of Lard is a pretty good EP, though it could do without "Hellfudge" and with "Time to Melt" being trimmed down a bit, but fans of Jello and Ministry will surely like it....

Favorites: "The Power of Lard", "Time to Melt"