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 Molé 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 – the “C U LaTour.”
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 – vocals, keyboards, synths, guitar, bass, drums, and various others (1981–present)
John Bechdel – keyboards (2006–2008, 2011–present)
Sin Quirin – guitars, bass (2007–2008, 2012–present)
Aaron Rossi – drums (2007–2008, 2011–present)
Casey Orr – bass, keyboards (2012–present)
Former Members:
John Davis – keyboards (1981–1982)
Stephen George – drums (1981–1985)
Robert Roberts – keyboards (1981–1984)
Marty Sorenson – bass (1981–1982)
Shay Jones – vocals (1982–1983)
Brad Hallen – bass (1983–1985)
John Soroka – keyboards/collaboration (1984–1986)
Paul Barker – bass, keyboards, programming, vocals (1986–2003)
Bill Rieflin – drums, keyboards, programming, guitar (1986–1995)
Chris Connelly – vocals, keyboards & various songwriting credits (1987–1993)
Nivek Ogre – vocals, guitar, keyboards (1988–1990)
Mike Scaccia – guitars, bass (1989–1995, 2003–2006, 2011–2012)
Howie Beno – programming, editing (1990–1993)
Michael Balch – keyboards, programming (1991–1992)
Louis Svitek – guitar (1992–1999, 2003)
Duane Buford – keyboards (1995–1999)
Zlatko Hukic – electronics, guitar (1995–1999)
Rey Washam – drums, percussion, programming (1995–1999, 2003)
Max Brody – drums, percussion, programming, saxophone (1999–2004)
Mark Baker – drums (2004–2005)
John Monte – bass (2004)
Paul Raven – bass, keyboards, guitar, drums (2005–2007)
Tommy Victor – guitars, bass (2005–2008, 2011–2012)
Tony Campos – bass (2007–2008, 2011–2012)
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 - ΚΕΦΑΛΗΞΘ (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 Molé
2006 - Rio Grande Blood
2007 - The Last Sucker
2012 - Relapse
2013 - From Beer to Eternity
2018 - AmeriKKKant
2021 - Moral Hygiene
2024 - HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES
lava
Ministry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Big Monkey flow
Chokin' on a color
Floating down like a rain ("Oh yeah")
Hot lava
Cool down
Big travel every town
Hot lava
On the always
Make ready to burn
What the hell is in your
Lost and your found
Got lotta those time
Some owner lost
He wants nothin' but the kick underground
"(Be Healed, Be healed!)"
Hot lava, lava
"(Be Healed Be healed!)"
Big kicka mule
Dipped in hot cotton
Make water like candy
And a fever like mine
Big boiler
Make rotten grey matter
not spoiled like the child who pops them two at a time
"Be healed!"
Hot lava, lava
"Be Healed, Be Healed!"
Hot lava
Hot lava
The lyrics to Ministry's song "Lava" are cryptic and open to interpretation. The song seems to describe a chaotic and unpredictable force, symbolized by the image of hot, flowing lava. The first verse begins with the lines "Hot lava/Big Monkey flow/Chokin' on a color/Floating down like a rain," which suggest that this force is overwhelming and suffocating, but also colorful and beautiful. The chorus repeats the phrase "Hot lava" several times, emphasizing the intensity of this force.
The second verse offers a slightly different perspective, with lines like "On the always/Make ready to burn/What the hell is in your/Lost and your found." This verse seems to suggest that the lava represents some kind of cleansing or purifying force, burning away the things that are lost or forgotten. The repeated phrase "Be healed" reinforces this idea of the lava as a healing force.
However, the third verse introduces more confusion, with lines like "Big kicka mule/Dipped in hot cotton/Make water like candy/And a fever like mine/Big boiler/Make rotten grey matter/not spoiled like the child who pops them two at a time." These lines are more opaque, but seem to suggest a connection between the lava and physical or psychological pain.
Overall, "Lava" is a song that resists easy interpretation. It is possible that the lyrics are not meant to have a clear meaning, but to evoke a mood or atmosphere. The image of hot, flowing lava is powerful and evocative, and the song captures some of the intensity and unpredictability of this force.
Line by Line Meaning
Hot lava
Intense heat of volcanic ash
Big Monkey flow
A powerful and commanding presence
Chokin' on a color
The overwhelming feeling of something new
Floating down like a rain ("Oh yeah")
Falling down gently and effortlessly
Cool down
Calm and relax
Big travel every town
Going from place to place, exploring new things
Roll it over with a ball and chain
Taking control and overcoming obstacles
On the always
Constantly present and never-ending
Make ready to burn
Preparing for a major transformation
What the hell is in your
Lost and your found
Questioning the meaning and purpose of life
Got lotta those time
Experiencing many different moments
Some owner lost
Feeling lost and without direction
He wants nothin' but the kick underground
Searching for deeper meaning and purpose
"(Be Healed, Be healed!)"
Hot lava, lava
"(Be Healed Be healed!)"
Seeking spiritual healing and enlightenment
Big kicka mule
A strong and powerful force
Dipped in hot cotton
Wrapped in a protective layer of comfort
Make water like candy
Creating something sweet and satisfying
And a fever like mine
Feeling passionate and deeply committed
Big boiler
A fiery and intense experience
Make rotten grey matter
Destroying negative thoughts and beliefs
not spoiled like the child who pops them two at a time
Avoiding the negative influence of others
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: AL JOURGENSEN, ALIEN JOURGENSEN, PAUL G. BARKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@codydfwn
Hot lava, come down
Big monkey flow
Chokin' on a color
Floating down like a rain (oh yeah)
Hot lava
Cool down
Big travel, every town
Roll it over with a ball and a chain
Hot lava
On the always to ready to burn
What the hell is in your
Lost and your found
Got lotta those time
Some owner lost
He wants nothin' but the kick underground
(Be healed, be healed!)
Hot lava, lava
(Be healed!)
Big kicka mule
Dipped in hot cotton
Make water like candy
And a fever like mine
Big boiler
Make rotten gray matter
Not spoiled like the child
Who pops them two at a time
(Be healed! Be healed!)
Hot lava, lava
(Be healed! Be healed!)
Lava
Lava
Lava
Lava
Lava
Lava
(Be healed!)
(Be healed! Be healed!)
Hot lava, lava
(Be healed! Be healed!)
(Be healed!)
Hot lava
(Be healed!)
Hot lava
(Be healed!)
Hot lava
(Be healed!)
Hot lava
Hot lava
Hot lava
Hot lava...
@MeshuggahDave.
Hot lava
Big Monkey flow
Chokin' on a color
Floating down like a rain ("Oh yeah")
Hot lava
Cool down
Big travel every town
Roll it over with a ball and chain
Hot lava
On the always
Make ready to burn
What the hell is in your
Lost and your found
Got lotta those time
Some owner lost
He wants nothin' but the kick underground
"(Be Healed, Be healed!)"
Hot lava, lava
"(Be Healed Be healed!)"
Big kicka mule
Dipped in hot cotton
Make water like candy
And a fever like mine
Big boiler
Make rotten grey matter
not spoiled like the child who pops them two at a time
"Be healed!"
Hot lava, lava
"Be Healed, Be Healed!"
Hot lava
Hot lava
@proletariatbourgeoisie9929
Blows my mind that a LOT of Ministry "fans" hated this album simply because it didn't sound exactly like Psalm 69. Sounds pretty killer to me.
@evelyn201
Agree 100%! This album rocks PERIOD
@thomasfleischer83
Can understand it.
I 've also been shocked but I've learned to love it with the help of time.
Reload, Lava and Dead guy are killers!
@OmegaRedFan
I let a friend borrow this album. He lost it. I pushed him on the ground and made him beg for mercy. It was great.
@OmegaRedFan
@@thomasfleischer83 I had this album then Scott faulkner decided to eat shit.
@CF-cm2ye
It's the good stuff. Alright partner
@pinsonraphael4873
One of the most infectious riffs ever written, period.
@johnymartin5411
......OH YEAH
@kendragrider1412
I agree
@JamesDunnComposer
Check out "Double Dare" by Bauhaus. I'm not claiming that Ministry copied them, but there's an influence to be heard.
https://youtu.be/wRFZK58DXfU?t=37