With drummer Stephen George, Ministry debuted with the Wax Trax! single Cold Life, which -- typical of their early output -- was in the synthpop dance style of new wavers like the Human League and Thompson Twins. The album With Sympathy, on the major label Arista in 1983, followed a similar musical direction -- one that Jourgensen was dissatisfied with. He returned to Wax Trax! and recorded several singles while rethinking the band's style and forming his notorious side project, the Revolting Cocks.
In 1986, with Jourgensen the only official member of Ministry, the Adrian Sherwood-produced Twitch was released by Sire Records. While not as aggressive as the group's later material, it took definite steps in that direction with a more industrial / ebm sound.
Following a 1987 single with Skinny Puppy's Kevin Ogilvie (aka Nivek Ogre) as PTP, Jourgensen once again revamped Ministry, with former Blackouts bassist Paul Barker officially joining the lineup to complement Jourgensen's rediscovery of the guitar. Fellow ex-Blackouts William Rieflin (drums) and Mike Scaccia (guitar), as well as vocalist Chris Connelly, were heavily showcased as collaborators for the first of several times on 1988's The Land of Rape and Honey. With Jourgensen and Barker credited as Hypo Luxa and Hermes Pan, respectively, this album proved to be Ministry's stylistic breakthrough, a taut, explosive fusion of heavy metal, industrial dance beats, samples and punk aggression.
1989's The Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Taste built on its predecessor's artistic success, and In Case You Didn't Feel Like Showing Up was recorded on its supporting tour, introducing collaborators like drummer Martin Atkins (ex-Public Image Ltd., later of Pigface), guitarist William Tucker, and Jello Biafra). Jourgensen embarked on a flurry of side projects, including the Revolting Cocks (with Barker, Barker's brother Roland, Front 242 members Luc Van Acker and Richard 23, and many more), 1000 Homo DJs (with Biafra, Rieflin, and Trent Reznor), Acid Horse (with Cabaret Voltaire), Pailhead (with Ian MacKaye), and Lard (with Biafra, Barker and Rieflin).
In late 1991, Ministry issued the single Jesus Built My Hotrod, a driving rocker featuring manic nonsense vocals by co-writer Gibby Haynes of the Butthole Surfers; its exposure on MTV helped build anticipation for the following year's full-length Psalm 69 (subtitled The Way to Succeed & the Way to Suck Eggs, although the only title that appears on the album consists of a few Greek letters and symbols). The record reached the Top 30 and went platinum, producing two further MTV hits, N.W.O. and Just One Fix. Ministry consolidated its following with a spot on the second Lollapalooza tour that summer, joined by guitarist Louis Svitek. However, drug and legal problems sidelined the band in the wake of its newfound popularity, resulting in the clouded Filth Pig being released in 1995, too late to capitalize on their prior success.
More problems with drugs and arrests followed, and Jourgensen returned to some of his side projects, recording a new album with Lard, among others. In 1999, the single Bad Blood was featured prominently in the sci-fi blockbuster The Matrix, setting the stage for the release of Dark Side of the Spoon (the title a reference to the band's heroin problems) later that summer.
Guitarist William Tucker committed suicide in May 1999.
The band was nominated for a Grammy in 2000 for "Bad Blood," but they lost to Black Sabbath, and were dropped from Warner Bros. around the same time. They were also added to the Ozzfest tour but were kicked off before it began because of a management change. To compound their sorrows, Ipecac Records announced three live albums to be released, with material from the Psalm 69 tour being the main focus, but when Warner Bros. caught wind of the project they stamped it out, despite the CDs already being ready for printing.
In 2001, the band filmed a scene for Steven Spielberg's A.I. and released the song from the film on a greatest-hits album, appropriately titled Greatest Fits. The group signed to Sanctuary Records later in the year. They released the Sphinctour album and DVD in the spring of 2002 to satisfy fans who were disappointed by the Ipecac situation. The next spring, Animositisomina was released, advertised as a return to the Psalm 69 style of songwriting, and featuring a cover of Magazine's The Light Pours Out of Me.
Barker left the Ministry camp in 2003. He stated that the trigger was his father dying while the band was wrapping up a summer tour in Europe, and also stated in early 2004 that his family life was his main focus at that particular time. Jourgensen continued Ministry with Mike Scaccia and various other musicians.
Houses of the Molรฉ followed in June 2004. It was the first part in a trilogy of "anti-Bush" albums (Rio Grande Blood in 2006 and The Last Sucker in 2007).
In September 2005 Ministry celebrated their 25th anniversary with Rantology. Jourgensen remixed such hits as Jesus Built My Hotrod and N.W.O. for the set, which also included live material, rarities, and the new track The Great Satan. An extensive tour with the newly reformed Revolting Cocks followed.
In 2007, after nearly three decades, nearly a dozen studio albums, and four Grammy nominations, Ministry announced that the album The Last Sucker would be its last. The album completed an uber-critical trilogy aimed at exposing the foils, failures and fabrications of the George W. Bush administration. Ministry embarked on its "final" world tour in the spring of 2008 โ the โC U LaTour.โ
Jourgenson then concentrated on running his label, 13th Planet Records. Three post-break-up Ministry albums were released: The Last Dubber, a remix album of The Last Sucker; Cover Up, a compilation of new and old cover versions by Ministry; and Adios, a live album documenting the "C U LaTour".
On August 7, 2011, it was announced that Ministry was reforming and would play at Germany's Wacken Open Air festival, set to take place August 2-4, 2012. The reunion lineup featured Jourgensen on vocals, Scaccia and Tommy Victor both on guitar, Aaron Rossi on drums, John Bechdel on keyboards and Tony Campos on bass.
Jourgensen told Metal Hammer in August 2011 that Ministry had been working on a new album called Relapse. "Bush is gone, so it's time for something new," he said. "I think this is actually gonna wind up being the fastest and heaviest record I've ever done."
Ministry announced on their website that they entered the studio on September 1, 2011 with engineer Sammy D'Ambruoso to begin recording their new album. On December 23, 2011, Ministry released "99%", the first single from Relapse. The album was released on March 23, 2012.
On December 23, 2012, guitarist Mike Scaccia died following an on-stage heart attack, while playing with his other band, Rigor Mortis.
In an interview with Noisey in March 2013, Jourgensen announced that Ministry would break up again, explaining that he does not want to carry on without Scaccia. "Mikey was my best friend in the world and there's no Ministry without him", he said. "But I know the music we recorded together during the last weeks of his life had to be released to honor him. So after his funeral, I locked myself in my studio and turned the songs we had recorded into the best and last Ministry record anyone will ever hear. I can't do it without Mikey and I don't want to. So yes, this will be Ministry's last album."
The album, titled From Beer to Eternity, was released on September 6, 2013. Jourgensen has stated that Ministry plans to tour in support of From Beer to Eternity, but will not record any more albums.
Current Members:
Al Jourgensen โ vocals, keyboards, synths, guitar, bass, drums, and various others (1981โpresent)
John Bechdel โ keyboards (2006โ2008, 2011โpresent)
Sin Quirin โ guitars, bass (2007โ2008, 2012โpresent)
Aaron Rossi โ drums (2007โ2008, 2011โpresent)
Casey Orr โ bass, keyboards (2012โpresent)
Former Members:
John Davis โ keyboards (1981โ1982)
Stephen George โ drums (1981โ1985)
Robert Roberts โ keyboards (1981โ1984)
Marty Sorenson โ bass (1981โ1982)
Shay Jones โ vocals (1982โ1983)
Brad Hallen โ bass (1983โ1985)
John Soroka โ keyboards/collaboration (1984โ1986)
Paul Barker โ bass, keyboards, programming, vocals (1986โ2003)
Bill Rieflin โ drums, keyboards, programming, guitar (1986โ1995)
Chris Connelly โ vocals, keyboards & various songwriting credits (1987โ1993)
Nivek Ogre โ vocals, guitar, keyboards (1988โ1990)
Mike Scaccia โ guitars, bass (1989โ1995, 2003โ2006, 2011โ2012)
Howie Beno โ programming, editing (1990โ1993)
Michael Balch โ keyboards, programming (1991โ1992)
Louis Svitek โ guitar (1992โ1999, 2003)
Duane Buford โ keyboards (1995โ1999)
Zlatko Hukic โ electronics, guitar (1995โ1999)
Rey Washam โ drums, percussion, programming (1995โ1999, 2003)
Max Brody โ drums, percussion, programming, saxophone (1999โ2004)
Mark Baker โ drums (2004โ2005)
John Monte โ bass (2004)
Paul Raven โ bass, keyboards, guitar, drums (2005โ2007)
Tommy Victor โ guitars, bass (2005โ2008, 2011โ2012)
Tony Campos โ bass (2007โ2008, 2011โ2012)
Discography (Studio albums):
1983 - With Sympathy
1986 - Twitch
1988 - The Land of Rape and Honey
1989 - The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Taste
1992 - ฮฮฮฆฮฮฮฮฮ (Psalm 69: The Way to Succeed and the Way to Suck Eggs)
1996 - Filth Pig
1999 - Dark Side of the Spoon
2003 - Animositisomina
2004 - Houses of the Molรฉ
2006 - Rio Grande Blood
2007 - The Last Sucker
2012 - Relapse
2013 - From Beer to Eternity
2018 - AmeriKKKant
2021 - Moral Hygiene
2024 - HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES
N.W.O.
Ministry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's alright, it's alright
I'm in love without the tears of regret
Open fire 'cause I love it to death
Sky high with a heartache of stone
You'll never see me 'cause I'm always alone
I'll buy the toys if you can pay for the rent
Flying high with the public in hand
I'm in love with the promised land
It's alright, it's alright
I'm in love with a malicious intent
You've been taken but you don't know it yet
A truer love has never yet to be found
I see the sunset through the eyes of a clown
It's alright, it's alright
What we are looking at
Is good and evil, right and wrong
A new world order
A new world order
A new world order
A new world order
We're not about to make that same mistake twice
A new world order
A new world order
A new world order
A new world order
A new world order
A new world order
A new world order
A new world order
A new world order
A new world order
A new world order
A new world order
A new world order
A new world order
A new world order
The lyrics of Ministry's song "N.W.O" delve into the themes of power, control, and manipulation. The first stanza "All the locals hide their tears of regret, Open fire 'cause I love you to death, Sky high, with a heartache of stone, You'll never see me 'cause I'm always alone" describes the singer's obsession with power and control over others. They do not care about the consequences of their actions and are willing to go to any lengths to maintain their dominance. The line "You'll never see me 'cause I'm always alone" suggests that the singer is willing to sacrifice any emotional connection to others in pursuit of their goals.
The following stanza discusses the cost of achieving power and control. The line "I'll buy the torture 'cause you pay for the rent" suggests that the singer is willing to inflict pain on others as long as they benefit from it financially. The line "Tied high with a broken command, You're all alone to the promised land" implies that the singer has the power to influence and control the destinies of others. The singer can guide people towards the promised land but at great personal cost to the people under their control.
The final stanza portrays the deception used by the singer to maintain control over others. The line "What you will know must never live to be found" suggests that the singer is willing to hide the truth from others to maintain their power. The line "'Cause it's the subject of the eyes of the clown" implies that the singer's true motivations are hidden behind a faรงade of humor and merriment.
Line by Line Meaning
All the locals hide their tears of regret
Everyone around me is putting up a brave front even though they are filled with sorrow and remorse.
Open fire 'cause I love you to death
I am so deeply in love with you that I am willing to go to great lengths (even if it means hurting us both) to keep you by my side.
Sky high, with a heartache of stone
Despite my outward confidence and boldness, I am weighed down by a heavy and unrelenting pain deep within me.
You'll never see me 'cause I'm always alone
Despite my best efforts to make a connection, it seems that I am destined to be forever isolated and alone.
How to love without a trace of dissent
I am struggling to find a way to love someone without any disagreement or conflict arising between us.
I'll buy the torture 'cause you pay for the rent
I am willing to put myself through great pain and suffering if it means that you will stay with me and take care of me financially.
Tied high with a broken command
I feel trapped and restrained by a system that is no longer working or serving me.
You're all alone to the promised land
You may think that you are on your way to a better future or a better life, but in reality, you are completely alone and isolated in this journey.
I'm in love with this malicious intent
I am deeply and dangerously obsessed with you and I may not have your best interests at heart.
You've been taken but you don't know it yet
You are already under my influence and control, but you are not yet aware of it.
What you will know must never live to be found
I am determined to keep my true intentions and actions hidden from you at all costs.
'Cause it's the subject of the eyes of the clown
I am pretending to be a jovial and entertaining figure, but in reality, I am deeply disturbed and dangerous.
Lyrics ยฉ CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Al Jourgensen, Paul G. Barker
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@steveqwertyuiop8269
It's alright, it's alright
It's alright, it's alright
All the locals hide their tears of regret
Open fire 'cause I love you to death
Sky-high with a heartache of stone
You'll never see me 'cause I'm always alone
How to love without a trace of dissent
I'll buy the torture, you pay for the rent
Tied high with a broken command
All alone to the promised land
I'm in love with this malicious intent
You've been taken, but you don't know it yet
What you will know must never live to be found
I see the sunset through the eyes of a clown
What we are looking at is good and evil
Right and wrong
A new world order
A new world order
A new world order
A new world order
We're not about to make that same mistake
A new world order
A new world order
A new world order
A new world order
A new world order
A new world order
A new world order
A new world order
A new world order
A new world order
A new world order
A new world order
A new world order
A new world order
@Sugar7K
I still remember the times of NFS: The Run back in 2011 when you had to escape the custody in Las Vegas. This is my childhood :D
@hisclarkyness
Listened a thousand times. Now watched once. Thanks!
@Bella_X
Youโre welcome!๐ค๐ผ
@patmcdonald548
I used this song to get focused on billiards before playing in league, tournament, or just playing with friends. Scary part is senior Bush telling us.
@user-kj9wg2ix2c
Excelente !!!...
Ministry aun rifa !!!.......
๐
@denisbarkovskiy
As Christian and old Ministry fun, very glad to see Cross on a stage!
@Bella_X
It was a really great performance!
@suzidunn7743
Great footage. I saw the VA beach show. Love monte also. He's madonnas guitarist
@Bella_X
Rock on!๐ค๐ผ๐ค๐ผ๐ค๐ผ
@johnegli1308
Uncle Al.