Photo: Derick Smith
With Ministry recently dusting off their 1983 debut album With Sympathy’s lead single “Revenge,” during summer live sets, the movement to make the band ‘Synthpop Again’ seemingly succeeded. But before fans start a premature celebration of a return to the band’s new wave roots, they should note: Al Jorgensen, the heart and soul of Ministry, has teased—or threatened, depending on who you ask—about re-recording the entire album with their signature industrial metal flair.
Now, as anticipation looms for the band’s forthcoming new studio album, HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES, slated for a Spring 2024 release, Ministry has announced that they will embark on a North American trek with seasoned tour compatriots Gary Numan and Front Line Assembly.
“So looking forward to doing another tour with Gary and the gang,” says Al Jourgensen. “We had such a blast the last time. The shows were amazing. Each band complements the other perfectly. Plus, both of our new releases are Kick Ass! Get your tickets and come join us.”
The 29-date tour kicks off February 27 in San Francisco and runs through April 5 in Tucson, hitting major markets in the U.S. and Canada (see the complete list of dates below). Tickets go on sale this Friday, October 6, at 10 AM local time. Find more info here.
In 1981, Ministry emerged from Chicago under the careful direction of its founder, Al Jourgensen. The band blazed a dissonant trail, potentially pioneering the entire industrial music genre. Ministry’s early days were characterized by rich synth-pop textures that resonated with the new sounds and technologies of the 1980s. However, the band evolved over time towards a grittier and more distinctive rock sound. This change culminated in the production of landmark albums such as Twitch (1986), The Land of Rape and Honey (1988), and the imaginatively titled The Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Taste (1989).
By the time Psalm 69: The Way to Succeed and The Way to Suck Eggs was unveiled in 1992, Ministry had not merely carved a niche but ascended to mainstream prominence, capped by a coveted Grammy nomination. The ensuing years saw eight additional albums, each offering a fresh facet of the band’s eclectic vision. A hiatus, beginning in 2013, momentarily stilled their prolific output, but the silence was shattered in 2018 with AmeriKKKant, a reflection of Jourgensen’s piercing critique of contemporary society and its political tableau. The 2021 release, Moral Hygiene, heralded not just a return but a rejuvenated creative chapter for Jourgensen and the long-standing outfit.
Now, HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES makes its entrance. Concurrently, the band’s unparalleled vigour was unmistakably evident as they played to packed houses from seaboard to seaboard during their ‘Industrial Strength’ tour.
The current lineup of Ministry includes John Bechdel on keyboards, Monte Pittman and Cesar Soto on guitar, Roy Mayorga on percussion, and Paul D’Amour on bass. Their forthcoming new album, HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES, features nine tracks and also includes guest appearances from notable artists such as Eugene Hutz of Gogol Bordello, Jello Biafra, and Pepper Keenan, the captivating lead singer of Corrosion of Conformity.
See the video for “Goddamn White Trash,” directed by Dean Karr.
Ministry’s sixteenth studio album, HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES, will be released on March 1st, 2024 via Nuclear Blast Records.
Pre-order here.
MINISTRY SPRING 2024 NORTH AMERICAN TOUR
Joined By Gary Numan & Front Line Assembly
For tickets and more information, visit here.
February 2024
March 2024
April 2024
***Front Line Assembly is not appearing
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