Chicago-based industrial metal band Ministry formed in Chicago in 1981. Led by singer Al Jourgensen, the group created a pounding, abrasive sound that attracted metal and alt-rock listeners as well as industrial dance fans. The band signed with Arista in 1982 and released the synth-pop With Sympathy the following year. Jourgensen was unhappy with the band’s direction and, after being dropped by Arista, formed the industrial-dance band Revolting Cocks as a side project. In 1985, Jourgensen regrouped Ministry and released Twitch for Sire Records. For 1988’s The Land of Rape and Honey, Jourgensen was joined by bassist Paul Barker, drummer William Rieflin, guitarist Mike Scaccia and vocalist Chris Connelly. They followed up with The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Taste in 1989 and the live album In Case You Didn’t Feel Like Showing Up in ’90. In 1992 Ministry released the critically praised Psalm 69, which went platinum, and they appeared on the first Lollapalooza tour. After spending the next few years dealing with drug and legal problems, Ministry released Filth Pig in 1995. Their 1999 release, Dark Side of the Spoon, included the single "Bad Blood," which was featured in the hit film The Matrix. In 2002 they released Sphinctour, a collection of live performances from 1996, followed by Animositisomina in 2003.

Reviews

• Animositisomina