Al Jourgensen has been bringing the world Ministry and various other bands such as Revolting Cocks and Lard since 1981. Uncle Al dropped a bombshell during an interview with billboard.com last week: the next Ministry album will be the last. After the current MasterBaTour, Ministry will head back into the studio to record their final album.
"I've got other things to do," Jourgensen explains. "I just started a label (13th Planet Records), and I want to sign some bands and really build it up like I did with WaxTrax in the '80s, not just a vanity label."
Fair enough, but I always thought Ministry would be one of those bands that would be around forever. In a world where shitty music is made more frequently then children, you can always count on the veterans of music to provide you with a sanctuary. For me, Ministry is one of those sanctuaries. I know that I can always find comfort in the music of Ministry when everything else is going down the musical drain. I can always count on them to release some music, even if it isn’t the most revolutionary thing I’ve ever heard.
"I think it's time," Uncle Al says "...and I'll be leaving on the top of my game instead of hanging on too long and doing crappy Aerosmith and Rolling Stones albums 30 years later.”
Good point.
With the release of the politically-themed Rio Grande Blood earlier this month, the album certainly isn’t crappy. After 25 years, Jourgensen seems to be on top of his game once more. After the disappointment of 1996’s Filth Pig and 1999’s Dark Side of the Spoon, Ministry were close to breaking up. However, with 2003's Animositisomina and the 2004 release of Houses of the Mole, Ministry were back -– almost. Another political album, Houses of the Mole marked a return with full guns blazing in the direction of the White House.
Article comments
1 - Guppusmaximus
Nice Article...I agree, "Rio Grande Blood" sounds pretty damn good and I would love to check'em out live because they are going to have Tommy(Prong)on Guitar.Though, I wish the lineup would've been different. Maybe Ministry w/ Strapping Young Lad and Neuraxis.A night of Pure, Un-adulterated,METAL UP YOUR ASS!! But, I also agree that the constant Whitehouse bashing can get tiresome even if I don't agree 100%. But, I guess that's what always made Ministry a f*cking sick band besides the brutal instrumental onslaught. Uncle Al has always spoke his mind with his music unlike so many other "Metal" or "Industrial" bands especially today!
2 - Steve C.
I just heard Rio Grande Blood the other night and enjoyed it verily. It's a damn shame Al's gonna be hanging it up so soon after finally getting his mojo back.
(I do believe, though, that the raw, painful Filth Pig is the most underrated album of the '90s.)
3 - Alma
I just saw them play in vancouver and it was one of the best shows that ive been to... just happy that i saw them b4 they call it quits..
4 - Scott Butki
I liked their earlier stuff (well, after the first discoish album) better than the later metal stuff.
Some of the revco stuff was great.
Have you ever heard the Pailhead album? I'd like to find that on cd.
5 - Ryan
I've been going to Ministry shows for years, In fact I just saw them play in san fransisco not that long ago. While I understand focusing on a new record label It pains me to hear that they will stop.
6 - Brian
The Pailhead album has been re-released and is available everywhere.