Ministry Hosts “Industrial Strength Tour” Cagematch in Philly

2022-03-13

Ministry Franklin Music Hall — Ministry host "The Industrial Strength Tour" in Philly, PA on Wednesday March 9, 2022.

Philadelphia, PA – Yes, it’s gloomy again with rainy, cold but typical March weather here in the Northeast. Fog and rain enveloped Philadelphia this Wedensday evening, as a night of heavy metal bands lured the metal clergy to the Franklin Music Hall (previously Electric Factory).

Corrosion of Conformity Performs at Franklin Music Hall on 3-9-22. Photo by Carl Roccia

Three seasoned heavy metal bands graced the stage, Corrosion of Conformity followed by The Melvins and the headliner Ministry, who set up shop behind a chain-link fence that spanned the entire front of the stage.

COC cut into the music scene in the early 1980s with their album “Eye For an Eye” followed by “Animosity” followed by ten other albums, the band emits a slower bluesy heavy metal sound with Pepper Keenan (joined 1989) on vocals and guitar, Woody Weatherman (original member) lead guitar, and Mike Dan on bass.

Corrosion of Conformity Performs at Franklin Music Hall in Philly, PA on 3-9-22. Photo by Carl Roccia

The band was tight, loud and really heavy as they played tunes from various albums. I remember seeing COC at CBGB’s in New York around 1987 when heavier bands were coming on the scene, like Anthrax and Slayer. It was good to see COC again kicking out tracks like “Shake”, “Diablo” “Vote” and “Who’s Got The Fire” and “Albatross”

Corrosion of Conformity Performs at Franklin Music Hall in Philly, PA on 3-9-22. Photo by Carl Rocky

SETLIST

Bottom Feeder
Paranoid Opioid
Shake
Diablo
The Door
Vote
Born Again/Albatross
Who’s Got the Fire
Clean My Wounds

The Melvins playing the Franklin Music Hall in Philly, PA on 3-9-22. Photo by Carl Roccia

With a picture of Andora ( I think) from the 70s show Bewitched beaming on the backdrop of the stage, The Melvins quickly took over for the next set and brought that hard and fast, chest-pounding, stomp on you attitude along with boundless Angus Young-like energy from lead guitarist, vocalist Buzz Osbourne. Matt Luken joined them on bass and brought the attitude feeding off of a drummer who tore up the skins all night, Mike Dillard. These guys play hard. The set started with the Sanford & Son theme playing as The Melvins crushed it with their version. The onslaught continued with “Anaconda” “ It’s Shoved”, “Queen” “Hooch” and “The Bit” among others.

A small mosh pit formed during “Hooch” from the Houdini album and “Honeybucket” but didn’t get too out of hand.

In July 2021, they released their 25^th studio album on Amphetamine Reptile titled Five Legged Dog, a 36-song acoustic double album, and this year banged out an EP Lord of the Flies.

Since 1983, The Melvins are always either touring, collaborating with other artists, or grinding out a steady flow of music. Over 30 years strong and it shows with their stage presence, tone, and command of the audience and hardcore fans.

SETLIST

Sanford and Son
The Kicking Machine
It’s Shoved
Anaconda
Queen
Charlie
Billy Fish
Civilized Worm
Never Say You’re Sorry
Evil New War God
Hooch
Honey Bucket
The Bit

Ministry standing for injustice. Photo by Carl Roccia

Lights went blue as a chainlink fence was installed and a picture of the Ukrainian flag was shot onto the stage screen. Cheers erupted in support and there was a sense of unity that filled the room. By this time, the place was packed to the rafters.

Ministry host “The Industrial Strength Tour” in Philly, PA on Wednesday March 9, 2022. Photo by Carl Roccia

Ministry, currently on Nuclear Blast Records, is fronted by Al Jourgensen (vocals-guitar). He led the band onto the stage, accompanied by Cesar Soto – guitar, Monte Pittman –guitar, Paul D’Amour – bass, Roy Mayorga – drums (killing it), John Bechdel – keys, and the onslaught began. By the third song “Stigmata” the mosh pit was in full swing.

Ministry has been making metal music and touring since 1981 and show no signs of stopping, as they released their fifteenth studio album Moral Hygiene, which was released on October 1, 2021, voted Top 30 Metal & Hard Rock Albums and The 45 Best Rock + Metal Albums of 2021. They proved it with a blistering 90-minute set. Ministry is very open about their views about climate change, the pandemic, and politics, which is what spawns this anger and frustration that has always been the fuel for metal and punk music in general. It is what drives the music and Ministry delivers it in your face.

“Breathe” from the 1989 album A Mind Is A Terrible Thing to Taste started the madness followed by “The Missing”, “Deity” and “Stigmata”(The Land Of Rape and Honey – 1988). Black Sabbath cover “Supernaut” just added fuel to the fire, then shot into “Don’t Stand in Line” and “ Man Should Surrender” (Pailhead covers).

This was the loudest concert I had been to in years. Three hours later and the ringing in my ears persists, as it will well into tomorrow. My circadian rhythm is still out of sync, but like binge-watching Ozark, it was worth it!

The “Industrial Strength Tour” should not be missed – it’s loud, thunderous, full of bass, in your face, and full of grace as Father Al and his Ministry might say.