MINISTRY

with CORROSION OF CONFORMITY AND MELVINS

House of Blues
Boston, Massachusetts
March 15, 2022

Photos & Review by Michael LaFleche

BOSTON, Mass. – Industrial giant Al Jourgensen and Ministry were welcomed back to Beantown for a show at the venerable House of Blues this week along with hardcore legends Corrosion of Conformity and the sonicly gifted trio, the Melvins.

When I arrived it looked like a reunion of the Mann Ray or Machine club, with fans decked out in all sorts of fantastic garb, tall boots and vinyl-wear. But there was a genuine cross section of humanity as we have Industrial, Heavy Metal and Alternative superstars all on the same stage.

For the first act, Corrosion of Conformity, who is made up of guitarist / singer Pepper Keenan, veteran bass genius Mike Dan and rounded out by Woody Weatherman on the guitars and John Green on the drum kit. Their high energy set had selections from their albums over the years and closed up with fan favorites “Albatross” and an extended version of “Clean my Wounds.”

CORROSION OF CONFORMITY photo album

Next up are the amazing Melvins, a trio that is well known for their heavy alternative grunge sound, yet being very gifted sonically. You can tell how much they pay attention to their craft, which a Phish like sound setup with a variety of switches and effects performed live. They also sport great attire, with vocalist / guitar lead Buzz Osboune wearing space age robes along with his amazing Iaasac Newton style white locks. Bass player Steven Shane McDonald serenaded us in a gold leaf tunic, while seemingly making love with his bass all night. Followed by drummer Dale Crover who was lost to the visuals expect for the fact that the overwhelming beats provided deep from the Cosmos. The band really built up to set well, had great stage presence and the odd stage backdrop created an experience that most have not ever been a party to.

MELVINS photo album

Finally, after a break to swap sets we were expecting Ministry. Interestingly, the road crew started assembling a full chain link fence between the fans and the stage. It looked like a large-scale version of a Texas roadhouse show to protect the band from flying debris. All the photographers in the pit were freaking out trying to figure out how we were going to share great images of the show with this in place. But it turns out, it made for great shadows, lighting and other effects that you will see here.

Al Jourgensen and the band entered to the Ukraine national anthem in support of the people there, and then wasted no time in kicking off the show with “Breathe”, “The Missing” and “Deity.” I really enjoyed the middle of the set with several engaging works including Black Sabbath’s “Supernaut”, which Jorgensen recorded many years ago on a Black Sabbath tribute Album, Nativity in Black (Still one of my favorite albums to listen to today). This was followed by “Don’t Stand in Line” and “Man Should Surrender” from Al’s Pailhead days. “Burning Inside,” “N.W.O.,” “Just One Fix,” “Thieves” led up to “So What,” closing out the main set for the show.

I do have to say the sound of Ministry still sounds as fresh and experimental as it always has. Al preached from his lit cross behind the chain link fence, keyboardist John Bechdel hammered away on his platform on stage right and Roy Mayorga’s drumming compliments John to the left. Rounding out the band are Cesar Soto and Monte Pittman on guitars and bass supplied by Paul D’Amour. The show’s encore included “Alert Level,” Good trouble and Iggy Pop cover and well known Ministry recording “Search and Destroy.”