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In honor of the Wax Trax! Records Retrospectacle that is going on this weekend in Chicago, I thought it was a good idea to rank my favorite Wax Trax! releases, in chronological order.
Strike Under – Immediate Action (1981)
This is how you start a label. While nothing else on Wax Trax! even remotely resembles this EP, it showed the foresight of Nash and Flesher and their eye for talent.
Ministry – “All Day,” b/w “Everyday (Is Halloween),” (WAX007 – 1985)
I am not a big fan of Ministry’s pre-industial age, but these are the best two songs that Al Jourgensen had to offer before Steve Albini ridiculed him into picking up a guitar.
Pailhead – “I Will Refuse,” b/w “Nobunny,” (WAX031 – 1987)
Jourgensen and Paul Barker of Ministry join with punkers Ian MacKaye of Minor Threat/Fugazi and Eric Spicer of Naked Raygun to create this brutally awesome 12”. If you’re not a vinyl junkie, this is available on a Ministry comp and also contains Pailhead’s excellent Trait EP.
Suicide – A Way Of Life (WAX7072 – 1988)
While Martin Rev and Alan Vega were obviously well-versed in keyboards, they were hardly industrial. Somehow, with the Elvis-like vocals, the album fit into the label’s milieu.
Mussolini Headkick – Themes For Violent Retribution (WAX7098 – 1989)
This record contains two of the best examples of anti-religion stance that many of the bands happened to believe (or at least maintain for public consumption).
My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult – Kooler Than Jesus (WAX088 – 1989)
A little Jesus back-to-back on a Sunday morning. This is the signature TKK song, dancy and full of sacrilege. The b-side, “Devil Bunnies”, is also top-notch.
My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult – Confessions Of A Knife (WAX089 – 1990)
An album chock full of the group’s major themes: drugs, the devil, and sex. Debauchery embraced.
1000 Homo DJs – Supernaut (WAX133 – 1991)
Jourgensen and Barker are back again, and this time they’ve brought Trent Reznor along to sing this incredible Black Sabbath cover. On the b-side is “Hey Asshole,” with a guest appearance from Jello Biafra. This is essential.
Chris Connelly – Whiplash Boychild (WAX7134 – 1991)
Connelly truly broke away from the Revolting Cocks sound for his solo debut and was nearly a troubadour. The album’s opener, “Daredevil”, comes of as a really great Nick Cave track.
KMFDM – Nihil (TVT7199 – 1995)
When someone uses the term “industrial”, this is always the first album I think of. Equal amounts keyboards, beats, and guitars. Nihil contained the band’s best track, “Juke-Joint Jezebel,”.
