A new fully authorized visual history book, Ministry: Prescripture, by author Aaron Tanner has been announced today via Rolling Stone. Published by Melodic Virtue, the book is in a limited-edition run of 2,000 copies and contains over 200 pages of rare and unseen photos, artwork and other ephemera that spans Ministry’s entire career. Melodic Virtue raided Uncle Al’s personal collection of behind-the-scenes artifacts and have supplemented those items with contributions from band members past and present along with visual artists, Brian Shanley and Paul Elledge. Pre-order the book starting today here and read more about via Rolling Stone here.
Founded in 1981 by Al Jourgensen, Ministry has never stopped evolving. Jourgensen’s constant experimentation and stylistic variation has morphed the band from its synth-pop origins to the industrial juggernaut of today, as explored in the book.
It features an introduction by Jello Biafra and exclusive quotes from members of Smashing Pumpkins, ZZ Top, Cheap Trick, NWA, Ramones, Nine Inch Nails, Tool, Megadeth, AFI, Slayer, Jane’s Addiction, Rammstein, The Flaming Lips, Devo, Butthole Surfers, Static-X, Anthrax, White Zombie, Death Grips, Bauhaus, Killing Joke, High on Fire, GWAR, Einstürzende Neubauten, Revolting Cocks, and many more.
Various packages are available for pre-order and include copies autographed by Al Jourgensen and the author, Aaron Tanner as well as a 7” of the studio version of “(Every Day Is) Halloween (Acoustic)” featuring Dave Navarro (Jane’s Addiction).
“He’s fearless. He’s funny. He’s a diehard hockey fan. I love this man. Complete original. Can’t wait to have his book on my coffee table to make company nervous.” – Bill Burr
“There have always been bands full of angst, rage, anger, drama, and theatrics. It was Ministry who first came along at the dawn of the industrial movement, who combined these things so seamlessly, that the audience was about to have its first immersive experience. Not only were the shows a visceral experience, but lyrically, Al was preaching the truth on top of the finely crafted sound of this new musical tonality of aggression and machinery. Loud and aggressive, yes, but also painstakingly put together as a symphonic experience. Al is the real deal. Who we see and hear on stage is who he is; it’s his truth that resonates with so many. Truths that make the disenfranchised feel included and truths that make the common man wish to be among the disenfranchised.” – Dave Navarro, Jane’s Addiction
Ministry will also join Slayer on the thrash metal band’s final dates of its Farewell World Tour. Kicking off November 2 in Asheville, NC and wrapping up in Los Angeles on November 30, “The Final Campaign” is the seventh and last leg of Slayer’s goodbye tour. Ministry will appear on all 18 dates alongside additional support acts Primus and Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals. In addition, Ministry has several headlining dates on the trek. Find all ticketing info at www.ministryband.com.
NOVEMBER
1 Vinyl Music Hall, Pensacola, FL *
2 Explore Asheville Arena, Asheville, NC
3 PNC Arena, Raleigh, NC
5 Salem Civic Center, Salem, VA
6 Giant Center, Hershey, PA
8 Mass Mutual Center, Springfield, MA
9 Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
11 KFC Yum! Center, Louisville, KY
12 Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
13 The Machine Shop, Flint, MI*
14 TaxSlayer Arena, Moline, IL
15 Denny Sanford Premier Center, Sioux Falls, SD
17 Fargodome, Fargo, ND
18 CHI Health Center, Omaha, NE
19 Granada Theatre, Lawrence, KS*
20 Broadmore World Arena, Colorado Springs, CO
22 First Interstate Arena at MetraPark, Billings, MT
23 Revolution Concert House, Garden City, ID*
24 Spokane Arena, Spokane, WA
26 Oracle Arena, Oakland, CA
27 Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, NV
30 The Forum, Los Angeles, CA
*Ministry Headlining Date
ABOUT MINISTRY
Born in 1981 in Chicago, Ministry has been the lifetime passion project of founder Al Jourgensen, considered to be the pioneer of industrial music. In its early days, Ministry was identifiable by its heavy synth-pop material in line with the new sounds and technology that were being developed in the ‘80s. Ministry’s output began with four 12” singles on Wax Trax! Records in 1981 before the first LP With Sympathy in 1983 via Arista Records. As time progressed however, so did Ministry, quickly developing a harsher, and more stylized sound that the band soon became infamous for on seminal albums Twitch (1986), The Land of Rape and Honey (1988), and The Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Taste (1989). With the release of Psalm 69: The Way to Succeed and The Way to Suck Eggs (1992), Ministry hit an all time high in the mainstream musical realm and received its first Grammy nomination. In total, Ministry has been nominated for a Grammy award six times. After an indefinite hiatus in 2013, Ministry’s latest album, 2018’s AmeriKKKant, continues to reflect Jourgensen’s views on the frightening state of society and politics. With the latest lineup featuring Sin Quirin and Cesar Soto on guitars, John Bechdel (Killing Joke) on keys, Derek Abrams on drums and the newly appointed Paul D’Amour (Tool) on bass, Ministry continues touring and recording in 2019 with new music and a few more surprises planned.
Website: www.ministryband.com
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/WeAreMinistry
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/WeAreMinistry
Instagram: www.Instagram.com/WeAreMinistry
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