Wax Trax's greatest hits
As the Wax Trax! Records Retrospectacle: 33 1/3 Year Anniversary concerts approach on April 15-17 at Metro, here are some of Wax Trax’s greatest hits, arranged chronologically.
Ministry, “Everyday is Halloween” (1984): Before transforming himself into a rabid, technology-fired pitbull, Al Jourgensen dominates the Chicago clubs with Euro-influenced synth-pop singles such as “Everyday is Halloween” and “Cold Life.”
Front 242, “Official Version” (1987): Brutal beats, stentorian vocals and sample-heavy sound collages turn this Belgian outfit into one of electronic music’s defining groups.
Laibach, “Opus Dei” (1987): Goose-stepping stomps merge harsh Germanic vocals and even harsher rhythms as part provocation, part fascist satire.
The Young Gods, “The Young Gods” (1987): Swiss bombast-mongers add rock crunch and classical grandeur to their electro attack.
The KLF, “Chill Out” (1990): A landmark of so-called ambient house music, a perfect companion for the 5 a.m. comedown after a night of frantic dancing.
Revolting Cocks, “Beers, Steers + Queers” (1990): Life as an out-of-control toga party for this Jourgensen side project, the hedonistic flip side of Ministry’s dark grind.
My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult, “Sexplosion!” (1991): A campy romp that would be the perfect soundtrack to any number of grindhouse exploitation movies.
Chris Connelly, “Shipwreck” (1994): The early-‘70s glam-rock influences make this an anomaly in the Wax Trax catalog, but its songcraft is undeniable.
Various artists, “Black Box – Wax Trax! The First 13 Years” (1994): Superb three-disc overview of the label’s embrace of twisted exotica, from Divine’s “The Name Game” to 1000 Homo DJs cover of Black Sabbath’s “Supernaut,” with Trent Reznor on lead vocals.
KMFDM, “Nihil” (1995): The German band’s seventh album is one of Wax Trax’s commercial highpoints, putting a polished pop spin on industrial’s characteristic harshness, with club hit “Juke Joint Jezebel.”
greg@gregkot.com