For the first Hazy Eye Music Media “Photo Flashback” we’ll be taking a trip down memory lane with Ministry. Whoa. Being a fan of Ministry, and most Al Jourgensen side projects since my teens, this is a show I will not soon forget. I was granted a photo pass and permission to photograph one of my childhood musical heroes. Hard to forget that. It only took about 3 or 4 years of requesting photo passes. Hahahahaha! I can still recall the feeling of pure bliss and redemption I experienced during my time in the photo pit. Continue reading below for full concert review. All images copyright and courtesy of Andy Jillson.
As with most bands, I was allowed to photograph Ministry for the first three songs. There were moments during these songs that I completely spaced-out and lost myself in the music. This experience was overly exiting for me. I was really on a sort of natural high. At times I forgot I was also there to take photos and not to just freak out to one of my favorite hardcore/psychedelic/industrial metal bands. The sad, confused, angry and angst-ridden teenager inside me had a cathartic spiritual awakening upon hearing the opening songs of this show. Holy shit!
Pure white-hot antifascist industrial metal music with a healthy dose of punk rock attitude, and a dark and disturbing slant on psychedelia. Yep. Ministry and your old Uncle Al are still out there sticking it to the man. Ministry is no watered-down, sugar-coated, mindless corporate rock band. Nope. It’s raw, honest, straight-forward rock music that makes you think and makes you want to revolt. Discovering Ministry and their “Wax Trax! Era” music was one of the most musically significant discoveries of my youth.
I felt as if I had been gut-punched and smacked upside the head with a baseball bat for this show. The songs were fast, loud, and extremely aggressive. It was fucking awesome! Ministry played a fun, energetic, and heartfelt set as if performing for friends and family at a holiday party. The vibes were welcoming and the band appeared to be having a blast. By the time the show was over I was exhausted. I was drenched in therapeutic sweat, and had a killer residual buzz for the next two days. Absolutely loved this show!
Luckily for some concert-goers, Ministry are still out on tour (w/ Slayer!!!) and have several stops remaining on their North American tour. Be sure to check Ministry’s Official Website for all remaining tour dates and other info about the band. Go out and see Ministry ya damn fool!!! Yeah, you! You won’t be disappointed.
Here are some more photos of Ministry performing at The Fillmore Silver Spring in Silver Spring, Maryland on December 5, 2018. All images copyright and courtesy of Andy Jillson/Hazy Eye Music Media.
Check out these two classic albums by Ministry on Spotify: