Formed: 1981
From:
El Paso,
TX,
United States
Last Known Status: Regrouped
Latest Ministry News
Below is our complete Ministry news coverage, including columns and articles pertaining to the band. Some articles listed may be indirectly related, such as side projects of the band members, etc.
Note: We began associating news directly with bands in late 2003. Therefore, earlier band news may not be listed on this page.
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Report
Brutal Assault 2025 Five Days & 73k Steps of Metal
This year was Brutal Assault’s 30 anniversary and the organizers gifted metal fans with over 140 bands ranging from the avant-garde to the most extreme black metal plus every heavy metal genre in between those two. Even though I was exhausted by the end of the festival, I have nothing but incredible memories to look back upon. If you’re into statistics the following are Metalunderground’s for the fest: Thirty-four bands covered, two face-to-face interviews (Gene Hoglan from Dark Angel and Malevolent Creation), 73,000 steps with temperatures ranging from the upper 50’s to the middle 80’s Fahrenheit over a five-day span with fifteen minutes of rain on the warm-up day. Not too shabby.
If this is your first time hearing about this festival, I’ll make this quick. Brutal Assault takes place at the 18th century Josefov Fortress located in the metalhead friendly town of Jaromer, located on the eastern edge of the Czech Republic. The fortress has served as Brutal Assault’s home base since 2012 and its massive worn brick walls and labyrinth of hallways and catacombs make Brutal Assault one of the most unique and popular European summer metal festivals year after year. If you’ve never been to Brutal Assault before, check out the video below for a brief and partial walkaround of the festival’s grounds.
In the past, I would normally post reports of the bands that I saw day by day and also my overall opinion of that year’s festival. To be honest, I think writing long-winded reports is now considered outdated in terms of Road Reports and more of you would prefer to read the bullet points and watch some videos to get the gist of the festival being reported on. Without further ado, here’s the skinny on this year’s Brutal Assault.
I was able to catch the majority of this year’s headliner acts to include Macabre (warm-up day), Kerry King, Rotting Christ, Gojira, Blood Fire Death, Fear Factory, Mayhem, Dimmu Borgir, Cult of Luna, Opeth and The Halo Effect. With all the aforementioned bands worthy of headliner status, one band stood out above the rest, and it wasn’t even close. That band was Gojira.
Even before Gojira was awarded Olympic gold medal status among heavy music fans around the world, they had already proven that they were one of the world’s top metal acts long before last year's Summer Olympics performance. Fast forward to Gojira’s set at this year’s Brutal Assault set and I think just about everyone that witnessed it would say that it was a jaw dropping and heart stopping performance.
I’ve seen Gojira plenty of times and they’ve always been excellent, but this time it was just on a different level. They only way I can describe it was that they were perfect. Their sound, the musicianship, their stage show and the energy flowing back and forth between crowd and band was amazing. If you don’t believe me, just go on YouTube and watch for yourself. I was able to record one song and even though it’s farther back from the stage, you can get the gist of it.
OpEd
Brutal Assault Is Almost Here!!! Are You Going?
Here are some quotes from past attendees on YouTube:
"You go to Brutal once, you will fall in love instantly!" - @gybarni
"This is the best festival in the whole world! Can't wait for next year! <3" - @eveningwhispers13
"Best festival ever :D See you in BA 28!" - @AnsiSysX86
And the quotes go on and on...need more convincing? Watch the 2024 aftermovie below. More...
OpEd
Brutal Assault Announced The Daily Running Order!
Brutal Assault just announced their daily running order for this year’s festival recently and it’s officially time to get excited! What’s there to get excited about? Plenty…The sheer number of bands is mind-boggling, but not overwhelming. Most of the more well-known bands play at the main stages which are situated next to each other. You can literally bounce back and forth between these stages exclusively at time and guess what! There’s food and beverage stands (including adult beverages) just meters behind you so it’s super convenient to refresh and refuel without missing too much of what’s happening on stage.

Brutal Assault Daily Running Order
What bands am I most forward to seeing during this edition of Brutal Assault? Well, in no particular order, here’s a short list: Macabre, Warbringer, Static-X, Ministry, Sleepytime Gorilla Museum, Orange Goblin, Gutalax, Gojira, Zeke, Asphyx, Monolord, Gaerea, Tsjuder, Crypta, and Arthur Brown. This is just a sampling. There's so much variety in the line-up. There's something for everyone! I’ll probably destroy myself trying to get to everyone on my list, but there’s nothing that some sleep won’t cure.
The other thing I love about this festival is just walking around and looking at all the exhibits, merch tents, food stands, beer tents and all the band shirts that everyone is wearing. There’s so much to see and do other than watching bands. For some examples, there’s the Lemmy Shrine to pay tribute to, there’s pool tables, there’s a movie room and there’s a pseudo disco of sorts for EDM, there’s art exhibits. I can go on and on…
Even outside of the festival grounds, in the town that Brutal Assault takes place, Jaromer, turns into a pre and post festival party garden. There are some bars and cafes to mingle in addition to pop up beer booths and food stands that are usually cheaper than inside the festival grounds. Even the walk towards the festival entrance is a site to see! There are literally tents lining the sides of the road and there’s always shenanigans taking place in this makeshift tent city.
For those that are going this year, are you getting excited??? I am for sure! I believe that there are very few whole-festival tickets remaining, so if you’re planning on making the trip to the Czech Republic, you better jump on it now!
Brutal Assault will take place in the Czech Republic at the Josefov Fortress during August 6-9, 2025.
Festival passes are available HERE!
Brutal Assault Reveals Daily Lineups
Brutal Assault, the annual celebration for all fans of extreme music, announces the division of bands by day for this year’s edition. At the same time, single-day ticket sales have been launched – available for all five days of the festival.
The festival traditionally kicks off on Tuesday with a warm-up event, giving visitors a chance to get pumped up for the four days of sonic mayhem to follow. This year’s warm-up will feature thrash/speed maniacs Carnivore A.D., Norwegian doom prophets Funeral, and cult American trio Macabre. Representing the Czech scene is a handpicked lineup: Marked As An Enemy, Cutterred Flesh, Pan Lynx, Faüst, and See You In Hell.
Wednesday marks the start of the main program with a heavy and uncompromising punch. Fortress Josefov will quake under the force of American sludge titans Mastodon, industrial legends Ministry and Static-X, and thrash metal icon Kerry King, who will make his Brutal Assault debut. Death metal fans can look forward to Dying Fetus and Blood Red Throne, while black metal rituals will be delivered by Rotting Christ and Ruïm.
Thursday will maintain the high tempo – French juggernauts Gojira return to Josefov, joined by '90s modern metal icons Fear Factory and Norwegian progressives Leprous. A triple dose of American death metal comes courtesy of Obituary, Suffocation, and Nile, while metalcore fans can brace for Fit For a King and August Burns Red. The day also includes a tribute to legendary band Bathory by the project Blood Fire Death.
Friday won’t give listeners a moment to catch their breath. On stage will be black metal pioneers Mayhem and symphonic heavyweights Dimmu Borgir. Modern metalcore will be represented by Landmvrks and Counterparts, post-metal melancholy by Cult of Luna and Harakiri for the Sky, and a gothic metal mass by Paradise Lost.
Saturday offers a fitting finale to the entire festival. Look forward to progressive death metal masters Opeth, brutal blasts from Brujeria and Benighted, and Australian prog-metal gem Karnivool. Old-school energy will be brought by hardcore legends Agnostic Front and thrashers Overkill, while modern melodic death metal will be served by Swedish project The Halo Effect.
The festival is also launching the sale of a limited number of single-day tickets! These are available for each day of the event – a perfect choice for those who can’t attend the whole week but still don’t want to miss out on the highlight of the metal summer. Single-day parking is also available.
Brutal Assault will take place in the Czech Republic at the Josefov Fortress during August 6-9, 2025.
Festival passes are available HERE! More...
OpEd
Brutal Assault Is Less Than 100 Days Away!
With less than 100 days left until Brutal Assault 2025, the line-up was finally completed. If you don’t know what a Brutal Assault is, it’s the one of the premier metal festivals in all of Europe that takes place during the summer. It takes place in the town Jaromer within an 18th century fortress on the eastern edge of the Czech Republic. It’s only a two-hour bus ride from the capital city of Prague. Wroclaw, Poland is two and a half hours to the northeast. In other words, all roads lead to Brutal Assault no matter which airport you prefer to fly into.
The festival beckons about 20 thousand attendees every year, but because the grounds are so massive, it seems less than that. The festival has been in existence since 1996, so the festival organizers know how to smoothly run a music festival this size by now. There are two main stages that ping-pong the headliner types all day and night long and there are 3 other smaller stages as well.
Now that I’ve gotten the basics of Brutal Assault out of the way, I’ll get to this years’ bands. There are over 140 of them…
3 INCHES OF BLOOD, ABSU, AGNOSTIC FRONT, ALUK TODOLO, ANGELMAKER, ARTHUR BROWN, ASPHYX, ATTILA, AUGUST BURNS RED, AVULSED, BENIGHTED, BESNA, BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME, BLOOD FIRE DEATH: A TRIBUTE TO QUORTHON AND THE MUSIC OF BATHORY, BLOOD RED THRONE, BOHREN & DER CLUB OF GORE, BRUJERIA, BRUTALLY DECEASED, CAR BOMB, CARNIVORE A.D., COUNTERPARTS, CRYPT SERMON, CRYPTA, CRYSTAL LAKE, CULT OF LUNA, CUTTERRED FLESH, DARK ANGEL, DARK FUNERAL, DEFEATED SANITY, DIMMU BORGIR, DOPE, DROWNING POOL, DYING FETUS, ENVY, EXHORDER, FAÜST, FEAR FACTORY, FIT FOR A KING, FIVE THE HIEROPHANT, FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE, FRAYLE, FULCI, FUNERAL, FURIA, GADGET, GAEREA, GOJIRA, GOST, GRAPHIC NATURE, GRAVE, GREEN LUNG, GUTALAX, GUTSLIT, HÄLLAS, HANABIE, HARAKIRI FOR THE SKY, HELLBUTCHER, HELLRIPPER, HERIOT, HIDEOUS DIVINITY, HIGH PARASITE, ILL NIÑO, INTER ARMA, KARNIVOOL, KATAKLYSM, KERRY KING, KING WOMAN, KLIDAS, KUBLAI KHAN TX, LANDMVRKS, LEPROUS, MACABRE, MALEVOLENT CREATION, MALIGNANCY, MAMMOTH GRINDER, MANTAR, MARKED AS AN ENEMY, MASTODON, MAYHEM, MINISTRY, MNEMIC, MONOLORD, NE OBLIVISCARIS, NILE, OBITUARY, OBSCURE SPHINX, OPETH, ORANGE GOBLIN, ORANSSI PAZUZU, OVERKILL, PAN LYNX, PARADISE LOST, PATRIARCHY, PELICAN, PIG DESTROYER, PRIEST, PRONG, PROTECTOR, PSYCROPTIC, PYREXIA, PYRRHON, REPLICANT, REZN, RIVERS OF NIHIL, ROTTING CHRIST, RUÏM, RYKER’S, SEE YOU IN HELL, SIGH, SKÁLMÖLD, SLEEPYTIME GORILLA MUSEUM, SLOW CRUSH, STATIC–X, SUFFOCATION, SYLVAINE, THE BROWNING, THE HALO EFFECT, THE KOVENANT, THROWN, TO THE GRAVE, TSJUDER, UNLEASHED, WARBRINGER, WAYFARER, WITHIN DESTRUCTION, XIII. STOLETí, ZEKE, and ZEMIAL. More...
Brutal Assault 2025 Lineup 70% Complete
The lineup is now almost complete for the 2025 edition. If you've been contemplating on attending this year's Brutal Assault festival, just check out the 2024 aftermovie. If that doesn't convince you to go, then nothing will! Brutal Assault has unveiled over 90 names, making up more than 70% of the total lineup. More...
Brutal Assault Announces First Wave Of 2025 Bands
Brutal Assault Announces First Wave Of Bands To Play In 2025 To Include Gojira, Ministry, Obituary, Dimmu Borgir, Pig Destroyer, Suffocation, Unleashed plus others.
This year's festival just ended and it was incredible. If you've never been, we can't urge you enough to check it out!
Ministry Debuts "New Religion" Music Video
Ministry’s 16th studio album "HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES" is out today via Nuclear Blast Records. After months of teasing album singles and videos for "Goddamn White Trash," plus "Just Stop Oil," and "B.D.E." the six-time GRAMMY® Award-nominated multi platinum act also has another new track out today with "New Religion." You can check out the video below.
Says band founder and leader Al Jourgensen of the track,
"All traditional faiths seem to pale in comparison to our new ‘Deity’ Media."
Over the course of the album’s nine tracks, Jourgensen is righteously cantankerous as ever about a fucked up world ripe for a boot up its ass. Like always, he's merely looking around at the same dumpster fire we all are, but he's got a microphone and uses it well to rage on about the state of the world.
Joined by Ministry’s current frontline of musicians – John Bechdel (keyboards), Monte Pittman and Cesar Soto (guitars), Roy Mayorga (drums) and Paul D’Amour (bass) – "HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES" also has a slew of special guest contributors including Gogol Bordello’s Eugene Hutz, long-time collaborator and Lard companion Jello Biafra and Corrosion of Conformity frontman Pepper Keenan. More...
Alice Cooper And Rob Zombie Team Up For 2024 Tour
Shock rock icon Alice Cooper will once again be teaming up with Rob Zombie for a co-headlining tour across the United States Of America, in a trek dubbed "Freaks On Parade." Joining them on the trek will be industrial metal legends Ministry and Ohio rockers Filter. Pre-sale tickets and VIP packages are on sale now with password FREAKS24.
In other Rob Zombie news, bassist Piggy D has announced his departure from Zombie's group after being a member since 2006. A statement from the musician reads as follows:
"Dear Friends. My time with Zombie has come to an end. It was an honor to entertain you for the last 18 years. I look forward to the future and wish everyone the best. Peace & Love, Matt Montgomery aka Count D., Piggy D., Giggles."
The tour dates are as follows: More...
Ministry Releases "B.D.E." Lyric Video
Toxic misogyny, violence against women, and incels are the latest target Al Jourgensen takes aim at in the song "B.D.E." (aka "Big Dick Energy") out today, including a spellbinding music video that draws the line on the poisonous behavior seen in both politics and everyday life in 2024. You can check out the video below.
Says Jourgensen of the track:
"The incel subsect and general misogynistic tendencies in our society are dangerous yet seem to fly under the radar so we figured it’s time to shine a light on it. In true Ministry fashion we battle it with sarcasm."
"B.D.E." hails from Ministry’s upcoming 16th studio album, "HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES" (out March 1, 2024 on Nuclear Blast Records) and follows the release of earlier singles "Just Stop Oil" and "Goddamn White Trash," all of which give a preview of the state of mind of creator and band leader Jourgensen who is cantankerous as ever about a f***ed up world ripe for a boot up its ass. Like always, he's merely looking around at the same dumpster fire we all are, but he's got a microphone and uses it well to rage on about the state of the world.
Joined by Ministry’s current frontline of musicians, "HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES" also has a slew of special guest contributors including Gogol Bordello’s Eugene Hutz, long-time collaborator and Lard companion Jello Biafra and Corrosion of Conformity front man Pepper Keenan. More...
Ministry Premiere New Single & Lyric Video

Industrial metal veterans Ministry are streaming the new single "Just Stop Oil" from their upcoming sixteenth studio album, titled "Hopiumforthemasses." Although initially scheduled for a summer 2023 release, the album won't officially arrive until March 1st, 2024.
A lyric video for the track will go live as well later today (2 p.m. EDT)
The platinum-certified band has scheduled the following spring tour with Gary Numan and Front Line Assembly to coincide with the album's release: More...
Ministry Announces 2024 North American Tour Dates
Ahead of Ministry’s brand-new studio album, "HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES," dropping March 1, 2024, the band will head out on a Spring 2024 North American tour, once again teaming up with touring comrades Gary Numan and Front Line Assembly.
The 29-date tour kicks off February 27 in San Francisco and runs through April 5 in Tucson, hitting major markets in the U.S. and Canada (see the full list of dates below). Tickets go on sale this Friday, October 6 at 10 AM local time. Find more info at www.ministryband.com/tour.
Says Ministry mastermind and creator Al Jourgensen: "So looking forward to doing another tour with Gary and the gang. We had such a blast the last time. The shows were amazing. Each band complements the other perfectly. Plus, both of our new releases are Kick Ass! Get your tickets and come join us."
Joined by Ministry’s current frontline of musicians – John Bechdel (keyboards), Monte Pittman and Cesar Soto (guitars), Roy Mayorga (drums) and Paul D’Amour (bass) – the 9-track "HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES" also has a slew of special guest contributors including Gogol Bordello’s Eugene Hutz, long-time collaborator and Lard companion Jello Biafra and Corrosion of Conformity frontman Pepper Keenan.
The tour dates are as follows: More...
Ministry To Release New Album In March 2024
As the world continues hanging on by a thread through pandemics, wildfires, climate change, social-political chaos and social media-fueled conspiracy theories, at least there’s Ministry to get us through. Industrial provocateur Al Jourgensen is ready to unleash his latest missives with Ministry’s groundbreaking 16th album, "HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES," slated for release March 1, 2024 via Nuclear Blast Records.
Today, the six-time Grammy Award-nominated multi platinum act gives the first taste of the new material with the official release of "Goddamn White Trash," featuring Pepper Keenan, a song that made its debut on Ministry’s headline tour earlier this year. You can check it out below.
Over the course of 9 tracks, Jourgensen is righteously cantankerous as ever about a fucked up world ripe for a boot up its ass. Like always, he's merely looking around at the same dumpster fire we all are, but he's got a microphone and uses it well to rage on about the state of the world.
"Just like you or anybody else, I’m simply a passenger in this lifetime," says Jourgensen. "I’m watching social changes, political changes, and economic changes, and I comment on them because I do have a First Amendment right. A lot of people say artists and athletes should shut up and play ball. No, I’m on this trip too. If I see something, I say something. That reflects on where each album goes. Instead of staying sedentary and singing about broken relationships, inner turmoil, or whatever is hurting this week, I comment on what’s going on from the perspective of a fellow passenger."
Joined by Ministry’s current frontline of musicians – John Bechdel (keyboards), Monte Pittman and Cesar Soto (guitars), Roy Mayorga (drums) and Paul D’Amour (bass) – "HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES" also has a slew of special guest contributors including Gogol Bordello’s Eugene Hutz, long-time collaborator and Lard companion Jello Biafra and Corrosion of Conformity frontman Pepper Keenan. More...
False Fed (Discharge, Ministry) Premiere Single

False Fed, the new band comprising vocalist Jeff Janiak (Discharge, Broken Bones), guitarist Stig C. Miller (Amebix, Zygote), bassist JP Parsons, and drummer Roy Mayorga (Nausea, Ministry, Soulfly, Amebix), is set to unleash their debut album titled "Let Them Eat Fake" on October 13. To give fans a taste of what's in store, the band has released their debut single, "Echoes Of Compromise," available for streaming via YouTube and Spotify below.
Alice Cooper Premieres New Single

Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine guests on the recently released single of shock rock legend Alice Cooper. The track, titled "White Line Frankenstein," is streaming via YouTube and Spotify for you now below and showcases Morello's guest guitar solo. You can find the track on Cooper‘s upcoming studio album “Road“, due out August 25th via earMUSIC.
Alice Cooper shared his thoughts on the track, stating: More...
Nita Strauss Premieres New Single

Having recently returned to Alice Cooper‘s touring band after a stint with Demi Lovato, guitarist Nita Strauss premieres her new solo track, “Winner Takes All“. That single features Cooper on guest vocals and is streaming via YouTube and Spotify for you now below.
Tells Strauss: More...
Siglos (Ex-Ministry) Premiere New Single & Video

Grammy-nominated guitarist Sin Quirin (ex-Ministry) has joined forces with frontman Pedro Sanchez (Transtorno) for a new band project named Siglos. The group premiere their new single "Morir Para Vivir" alongside an official music video streaming via YouTube for you now below.
Report
Ministry Holds Mass At The Fillmore New Orleans
The Fillmore was brimming with excitement. Though Corrosion of Conformity and The Melvins are fairly regular acts in New Orleans, Ministry is not. The industrial outfit’s last visit to the Crescent City was back in 2015. Though the Melvins were not able to make the show, we found out as COC was playing, the show was no less thrilling.
Corrosion of Conformity, complete with guitarist and vocalist Pepper Keenan, had the amazing skill of making that big venue and wide stage feel really small. We were transported to an old, small, smokey bar somewhere in the backwoods of the deep south as they started into their set that began with “Bottom Feeder,” “Paranoid Opioid,” and “Shake Like You.” Woody Weatherman was deep into his guitar and seemed not to even notice anyone else was in the room with him. Mike Dean would get on the mic to help emphasize Pepper’s vocals, but he was also deep in the groove with Woody.
“You guys want to hear some heavy shit.” Asked Pepper to which the audience enthusiastically responded. They ran through their slow, groovy, whiskey-drenched hits “The Door,” “Vote With a Bullet,” and “Wiseblood.” “How many of you guys like to boogie woogie.” Pepper said before launching into COC’s very popular bangers “Born Again for the Last Time,” “Albatross,” and “Clean My Wounds.” Corrosion of Conformity was able to play all of these great songs because The Melvins were not in attendance.
Before Ministry came out, a foreboding chain-link fence was brought out to the stage. It would separate the band from their audience for most of their show. The lights dropped out, and the colors of the Ukrainian flag splashed across the stage. Ministry made it clear that they stand with the brave people of Ukraine during this current onslaught.
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The band powered onto the stage, seeming like wild animals thrown into a cage. They viciously launched into “Breathe,” “The Missing,” and “Deity.” Al Jourgensen spent very little time behind his glowing green cross-laden podium and instead menaced the audience from behind the fence. He would grab onto it and shake it, nearly toppling it at times.
Al also spoke about the band’s history between songs and explained why he wanted to revisit some of their early records for this tour. To explain one aspect of Ministry’s creation, they performed “Supernaut,” a Black Sabbath cover as spacey visuals illuminated them and a sound bite talked about how youths are doing acid. Two more non-Ministry songs came after, this time from the band Pailhead that Al played with in the 1980s: “Don’t Stand In Line” and “Man Should Surrender.”
Al finally picked up a guitar of his own for “N.W.O.” as visuals of flags from many nations flooded the stage. You could feel the floor tremble when people saw their favorite flag and would jump with joy upon seeing it.
Cesar Soto and Monte Pittman’s guitars were tight and precise. Razor sharp. Roy Mayorga’s drums were prominent and clean among the churning guitars. The juxtaposition of this precision with COC’s bluesy, soulful sound was so interesting. This was a lineup where you used both sides of your brain to take it in.
Wednesday 13 Replaces 3Teeth On Ministry Tour
Industrial metal legends Ministry will be heading across the pond this Autumn for headlining run across Europe, including the UK. Joining them on the tour will be The 69 Eyes, however the other previously announced support act, 3Teeth, will no longer be a part of the package. Replacing them on the trek will be Wednesday 13, who in a statement, confirmed the cancellation of their own headlining UK tour. A message reads as follows:
"We are extremely excited to announce that we will be joining Ministry on the Ministry: Moral Hygiene European tour this Nov/ Dec along with The 69 Eyes
"Unfortunately our postponed UK tour from last year is going to have to officially be canceled. We could not secure the same venues and dates which made this postponed tour impossible to reschedule. Refunds for this available at ticket point of purchase. Look for a full headline UK tour coming early 2023."
Tour dates: More...
Ministry Announces European Tour Dates
Today, industrial metal legend Al Jourgensen is pleased to announce Ministry’s long awaited Moral Hygiene European Tour 2022, throughout which the band will present their new album Moral Hygiene, released last year via Nuclear Blast. On the run of dates, which includes headlining Damnation Festival, Ministry will be accompanied by two special guests - Finnish goth rockers The 69 Eyes and American industrial metallers 3Teeth.
Tickets will go on-sale on this Friday 25th March @ 10am GMT.
The tour dates are as follows: More...


