Liberated Magazine

Ministry Gives Houston A Dose of Hopium for the Masses!

Ministry headlined at House of Blues in Houston, TX on March 29th, 2024 with support from Gary Numan and Front Line Assembly on their Spring tour! Ministry is an American industrial metal band originating from Chicago, Illinois and was formed in 1981. Their current lineup consists of vocalist/guitarist Al Jourgensen, guitarist Cesar Soto, guitarist Monte Pittman, bassist Paul D’Amour, drummer Roy Mayorga, and keyboardist John Bechdel. Ministry walked out to a full…

Brandon Castaneda

April 1, 2024

2–3 minutes

Al Jourgensen, Front Line Assembly, Gary Numan, House of Blues, Houston, Industrial, Ministry, Texas

Ministry headlined at House of Blues in Houston, TX on March 29th, 2024 with support from Gary Numan and Front Line Assembly on their Spring tour!

Ministry is an American industrial metal band originating from Chicago, Illinois and was formed in 1981. Their current lineup consists of vocalist/guitarist Al Jourgensen, guitarist Cesar Soto, guitarist Monte Pittman, bassist Paul D’Amour, drummer Roy Mayorga, and keyboardist John Bechdel.

Ministry walked out to a full capacity crowd promptly at 9:30. Al Jourgensen was missing his notorious dreadlocks and facial piercings. Instead he had long black straight hair with a cowboy hat, reminiscent of his earlier days.

Al Jourgensen stated while discussing their newest album:
“No Ministry album sounds alike. Actually, I say that with pride over the former years. There’s still an element there where you know it’s Ministry.”

The industrial titans came out the gate swinging! If you haven’t heard their newest album, you get a good dose of it right at the beginning. The first four songs “B.D.E“, “Just Stop Oil“, “Goddamn White Trash“, and “New Religion” are all off “HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES“. This release being primarily based off Uncle Al’s leftist ideals. Performed first with Leni Von Eckardt (Leni Badpenny) was “B.D.E.” (Big Dick Energy), which is a song that “takes aim at incels and toxic misogyny“. Second song “Just Stop Oil“, came a long way from “Jesus Built My Hotrod“. Jourgensen wrote it about climate awareness, expressing his support of the movement. Played third was “Goddamn White Trash“, where Jourgensen expresses his disdain with “MAGA” supporters. All of these newer songs have the same theme of things ‘wrong’ with the United States government. The lyrics being clear as day, and to reinforce that statement the last song of the new music segment for the tour was closed with “Broken System“.

Al Jourgensen expressed his gratitude:
“We just played six songs you guys didn’t know and you haven’t thrown a single beer bottle yet! I’m honestly really impressed with your behavior.”

From this point, the set was filled with classics such as “N.W.O.”, “Just One Fix“, and “Stigmata“. Ministry wrapped up their action packed set with fan favorites “Thieves” and “Jesus Built my Hotrod“.

Al Jourgensen exclaimed after “Thieves”:
“That’s how it’s fucking done! Thank you Houston. That’s how you fucking do it! Fuck yeah.”

Al Jourgensen said while leaving the stage before encore:
“Let us take a marijuana break and if you make enough noise we’ll be back.”

They concluded the evening with “Burning Inside” and “So What” for their encore. After this headliner tour, Ministry will provide direct support on Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper’s co-headlining summer US tour.