Ministry and Melvins
Royal Oak Music Theatre
Detroit, Michigan
April 3, 2022
Ministry and The Melvins smashed through Royal Oak Music Theater last night on the Industrial Strength Tour. Fans were clamoring to see this iteration of the band as this tour had been previously rescheduled.
Ministry was accompanied onto the stage to the National Anthem of Ukraine and their backdrop proudly displayed the words “Ministry Stands With Ukraine.” Al Jourgensen brought with him an impressive accompaniment of talented musicians to support their 2021 album, Moral Hygiene, while offering their flavor on the classics from the 30th anniversary of The Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Taste. Monte Pittman (Madonna, Prong) on guitar, Cesar Soto (Man the Mute), and Roy Maorga (Stone Sour, Soulfly) ripped through songs at a frenzied pace, including an excellent cover of Black Sabbath’s “Supernaut.” During the middle point in the set, fans were captivated as Jourgensen broke out several songs by Pailhead, his 1980’s side project with Ian MacKaye (Fugazi, Minor Threat).
Spanning the edge of the stage was a 6-foot tall cyclone fence that Jourgensen shook with ferocity. Only held together with zip ties, the fencing flared out into a V-shape into the photo pit and felt like it was trying to engulf the photographers. The energy was electric during the song “Breathe. It felt more like a cage match with the band shouting the words while the fans reciprocated the cadence of the corus. For the final tune of the night, fans were treated to a hometown cover from Iggy & The Stooges’ “Search and Destroy.”
Ministry were not the only veterans on the bill, as the industrial metal outfit brought The Melvins as support. King Buzzo (Buzz Osborne) and company wasted no time shredding through their 12-song set with an intense ferocity. Osborne never seems to slow down as he hammers on his aluminum bodied EGC guitar. Bassist Steven Shane McDonald brings the comedic value to their set with his happy go lucky onstage jump kicks. Midway through their set, The Melvins gave a faithful cover “Charlie” from Redd Kross which happened to be McDonald’s former band.
The Sludge Metal pioneers work at a methodical pace as drummer Dale Crover keeps the band pushing through the setlist. Osborne clad in his seeing eye tunic continues to inspire on tracks like “Civilized Worm”, “Honey Bucket”, and the Melvin’s most famous track “The Bit.”
This tour is a perfect example of bands that have contrasting styles of music that never seemed to get as much recognition as they should have. There are eight more dates left to catch this tour before it’s a wrap!
Ministry Setlist:
Breathe
The Missing
Deity
Stigmata
Supernaut (Black Sabbath Cover)
Don’t Stand In Line (Pailhead Cover)
Man Should Surrender (Pailhead Cover)
Burning Inside
N.W.O.
Just One Fix
Thieves
So What
Alert Level
Good Trouble
Search and Destroy (Iggy & The Stooges Cover)
The Melvins Setlist:
The Kicking Machine
It’s Shoved
Anaconda
Queen
Charlie (Redd Kross) Cover
Billy Fish
Civilized Worm
Never Say You’re Sorry
Evil New War
Hooch
Honey Buckey
The Bit
All photos by Chris Balow
© 2022. Please DO NOT copy or use without permission.
