Ministry is still raging against the machine
By Chris Nixon
For the San Diego Union-Tribune
May 18, 2006
Pearl Jam and Neil Young may have their recently released anti-war albums, but when it comes to pure vitriolic revolution songs, Al Jourgensen and his industrial thrash band Ministry rails against George W. Bush like no one else.
Brimming with indignant rage, Ministry's new album, “Rio Grande Blood,” recaptures the revolutionary spirit of the band's heyday (see 1992's “Psalm 69”). Through 10 blistering tracks, Jourgensen and his crew rant on topics ranging from corporate corruption (“Fear (Is Big Business)”) to 9/11 (“Lies, Lies, Lies”) to U.S. military policy (“Gangreen”).
Jourgensen takes shots at Dubya at every turn, asking a question on “Lies, Lies Lies”: If the government truly has nothing to hide / Why are they afraid to answer a few questions?
Jourgensen incorporates an all-star team of musicians on the album and the subsequent tour (stopping at the House of Blues downtown Sunday night), including drummer Joey Jordison (Slipknot), guitarist Mike Scaccia (Rigor Mortis), keyboardist John Bechdel (Fear Factory, Prong) guitarist Tommy Victor (Prong) and bassist Paul Raven (Killing Joke).
“I think we represent the spirit of rebellion that has been very underground as far as music is concerned,” said bassist Raven. “I can't tell you what all these industrial bands and people like Trent Reznor are doing. I got into music in 1977 in the time of punk rock. Music and politics has been inseparable.”
“Rio Grande Blood” (a play on ZZ Top's “Rio Grande Mud”) also marks the third Ministry album since Jourgensen became clean and sober. After years of heroin use, the frontman finally confronted his addiction. Longtime friend Raven said it's good to have the old Al back.
“The post-drugs Al has come out of this with a renewed sense of vigor,” said Raven. “He's still as – if not more – creative than ever. He's got a sense of humor and all his marbles and faculties intact. A lot of people don't get to enjoy life a second time around.”
About the tour, Raven said: “We call it Ministry on steroids, because everyone says it's the best they've heard the band. We take our cues off of a lot of what the fans say. They get online after every show and dissect the show. We look at that in the morning and take it in.”
Chris Nixon is a San Diego music writer.
