Ministry (Industrial metal/industrial rock/alt metal/ synth-pop (early)/new wave (early)/thrash metal) has released fifteen (15) LPs and twelve (12) singles/EPs since forming as a band in Chicago, IL back in 1981 by Al Jourgensen (producer/singer/instrumentalist). Over the years, members have come and gone, such notable names as Gibby Hayes, Chris Connelly, Burton C. Bell, Jello Biafra, Tommy Victor, Paul Barker, Joey Jordison (R.I.P.), and Martin Akins. Ministry would first announce that they would go on the Industrial Strength Tour during January 2020 with KMFDM and Front Line Assembly as opening support during March-April of 2021. This would have been a dream tour in 2021 for many old and new school goth/industrial music fans alike. But we all know how this all played out because 2021 was just like 2020 in some regards when it came to making a tour happen.

Ministry

After a postponement, Helmet would replace KMFDM as opening support and they would try this once more for the Fall/Winter of 2021. Ministry would announce during September 2021, that they would try again to kick this tour off in 2022. This time, (the) Melvins and Corrosion of Conformity would join them on the road replacing Helmet and Front Line Assembly. Let me also add that they also lost their longtime drummer, Bill Rieflin, who died of cancer on March 24, 2020. This would be devastating to the members of Ministry who all loved their bandmate dearly. This would be a time for the band to bond together under extreme circumstances and appreciate this music so much more.

In my opinion, Al Jourgensen chose two bands to go on this tour who have both transcended their musical identity multiple times over their musical journey. Each band has tilted the status quo of what was expected from them by breaking boundaries in their musical stereotypes. Mavericks? Musical geniuses? Well, the answer is ‘Yes’ to both questions, but most of all it is important to note that these bands created music that they wanted to create for the world to hear. They did not want to conform to the record company executives who pushed the mainstream radio friendly recipe for instant success. Instead, each one of these bands took a path chosen by themselves many years ago and it is good to see each band still on said path with joy and excitement still when they take the stage for their fans. Over the years, they influence lives on in the music of so many artists/bands across the musical landscape.

Ministry during the Industrial Strength Tour will consist of Al Jourgensen (vocals/guitar), Cesar Soto (guitar), Monte Pittman (guitar), Paul D’Amour (bass), Roy Mayorga (drums), and John Bechdel (keys). Head over to Ministry’ Official Bandcamp page and give them some support today! They played a great mix of their expansive discography this night on tour, check it out below:

Ministry set list Tabernacle (03/22/2022)

· Breathe

· The Missing

· Deity

· Stigmata

· Supernaut (Black Sabbath cover)

· Don’t Stand in Line (Pailhead cover)

· Man Should Surrender (Pailhead cover)

· Burning Inside

· N.W.O.

· Just One Fix

· Thieves

· So What

Encore:

· Alert Level

· Good Trouble

· Search and Destroy (Iggy and The Stooges cover)

Ministry

(the) Melvins (Experimental rock/sludge metal/alt metal/grunge/doom metal/hardcore punk) formed as a band in 1983 in Montesano, Washington. Since their first practice, these musical behemoths have released thirty (30) LPs and three (3) EPs. Yes, you read that correctly. Thirty full length albums have been released by these underrated veterans of rock and metal. Currently, the band consists of Buzz Osborne (lead vocals/guitars), Dale Cover (drums/percussion/vocals), and Steven Shane McDonald (bass/vocals). I first had the chance to do photography at a Melvins show during an Official After Party for Shaky Knees (2018), but due to unforeseen circumstances this would not transpire. Given the second chance, I was excited to get King Buzzo and his mighty crew in my sights finally. Guess you can say “bucket list” item checked off tonight. Well two adding Ministry!

(the) Melvins

Give (the) Melvins some support and head over to their Official Bandcamp page today! Check out their set list from this night below:

(the) Melvins set list Tabernacle (03/22/2022)

· The Kicking Machine

· It’s Shoved

· Anaconda

· Queen

· Charlie (Redd Kross cover)

· Billy Fish

· Civilized Worm

· Never Say You’re Sorry

· Evil New War God

· Hooch

· Honey Bucket

· The Bit

(the) Melvins

Corrosion of Conformity A.K.A. COC (Stoner rock/sludge metal/heavy metal/southern rock/southern metal/hardcore punk) formed as a band in 1982 in Raleigh, North Carolina. The band currently consists of Pepper Kennan (lead vocals/guitar), Woody Weatherman (bass), Mike Dean (Bass/vocals), and John Green (drums). They have released ten (10) LPs, one (1) Live LP, and four (4) EPs in their career. COC has been a staple in my musical journey (just like Ministry & (the) Melvins), so getting this opportunity was a dream come true!

I would be remised if I did not pay respect to Reed Mullin who was the former drummer for COC who unfortunately passed away on January 27, 2020. He had started playing with COC in 1982 but took a short break from the band in 2001 due to a back injury. He would rejoin COC in 2010, but health issues, including an alcohol relates seizure in 2016, would plague him near the time of his death. He was 54.