Monday, June 15, 2015

Ministry at The Regency! From Beer to Eternity?



     Well,  it's Minsitry's last tour according to " Uncle" Al Jourgenson, due to how much time it takes out of him to work on Ministry and for the fact his closest friend and ex-guitarist Mike Scaccia has passed on. Knowing the imminent closure of this bands' era  I had been looking forward to this show for quite some time and as you know it is hard to get that heavy industrial metal fix just from anyone. Especially fronted by someone who has practically started the industrial genre . Al still has an amazing voice accompanied by a back drop of the searing guitars, double bass pedals and anti-government samples. Sin Quirin was animated on his flying "V" guitar and it was really was a different experience to see such a well produced show. I have to admit the whole "Beer from Eternatour" imagery had me feeling a little dubious with all of its' crucified cartooney cows in Jesus thorn crowns.  It felt like I was back circa 1994 in an MTV Headbangers Ball episode. Opening up the first half of the show with the sludgy, chuggy mid tempo songs like the political apocalypse  "Perfect Storm" and  another sample heavy "Hail to his Majesty (peasants)". Finishing up with more classics of "NWO" and "So What" I felt the shows energy started going upward and more hysterical.  It was right on the brink of some epic breakthrough of classic thrash.  Until Uncle Al left the stage claiming "San Francisco has always been the same shit" with a smirk ending with a projected film of frenetic, static, images including Jourgenson's screaming be-goggled face.  Along side a soundtrack  of Throbbing Gristle-y machine beats. That was it. The lights went on.  The crowd left. Most left happy. I have to say I was surprised. The show felt unfinished and a little anti-climactic. Jourgenson may be the type who likes to dish out deferred gratification and withhold some of the goods that people want to hear. Such as the epic "Stigmata" the curious "Jesus built my Hot rod" or even the deep bass and emotion of "Filth Pig".  It's not like we are asking to hear “Work for Love”.  But honestly ending on one of those songs would have felt like a solid last tour.  Surprisingly, the SF show wasn't close to selling out.  I know for a last tour it's hard to cover all of the bases, but for some reason this show lacked an essence. So on that note it's probably not their last tour.  I still do love Uncle Al though. Next time I'll just listen to my fave records of his at home.