satanboy
Psychonaut seven
After leading Ministry for over 40 years, Al Jourgensen has decided the time has come to step away. In an open interview on Full Metal Jackie (transcribed by Loudwire), Jourgensen discussed the reasons behind his choice to bring the band to an end — emphasizing that it’s not due to personal drama or health concerns.
“My ears are tired from music,” Jourgensen said. “The reason I say that, and that's the reason I'm ending Ministry, it's not so much for any health reasons or any kind of band conflicts or anything like that. It's just that my ears are tired. I'm starting to find myself really slapping myself on the wrist, not repeating stuff that I've done before, and trying to keep going further. It gets harder as you keep going.” Even though many fans might assume this would be a bittersweet ending, Jourgensen made it clear that the music is still strong. “That's not to say the next album won't be great, because it already is. We're halfway done, and it sounds amazing. Amazing. But just saying that it's a different kind of vibe. It's more like a job now as opposed to having youthful enthusiasm.”
Jourgensen’s latest project, The Squirrely Years Revisited, sees him revisiting his early synth-rock style — something he once swore never to return to. Interestingly, it was his bandmates who encouraged the change. “The band had been talking about doing this for a while, but they knew I hated this stuff,” he said. “So, they reworked a bunch of stuff and then ambushed me after a show before Zombie on the tour bus and played me this stuff when they knew I was good and dr*nk.” He described his shock upon hearing the revamped material: “They played this stuff and I was just like, ‘Who's this?’ And they're like, ‘That's you st*pid.’ I'm like, ‘Oh!,’ cause I haven't heard those songs in 40 years.” Rather than simply reviving old tracks from With Sympathy, Jourgensen emphasized it was more about reshaping how these songs are remembered. “Once you listen to it, you realize, ‘Oh, yeah, that's that song from With Sympathy.’ But it's just got a new kick in the pants to it" – even more remarkable is the fact that these tracks had to be completely rebuilt – “Yes, I did actually burn the master tapes. I had a barbecue, and, man, that was just horrible smelling.”
The project also led to an unexpected shift in his feelings toward the music. “Yeah, actually, I do [like some of them now],” he said. “There's a couple of the early pop hits, even before With Sympathy… One of them is called ‘I'll Do Anything For You,’ and that one is a good pop song. I can't believe that wasn't even on the record.” Songs such as “Revenge” and “Effigy” have been reinterpreted with a sound more reminiscent of arena rock. Ministry’s farewell tour includes performances with Nitzer Ebb, My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult, and Die Krupps — a lineup with personal significance for Jourgensen. “Thrill Kill Cult, I used to be in a band with their lead singer Frankie Fun before Ministry. So it all kind of ties in.”
Jourgensen is approaching the end of Ministry with a clear sense of purpose. “This is just like one final album and tour, putting a bow on it and having Paul Barker come back into the band.” Barker, who played a crucial role during Ministry’s key industrial years, has rejoined Jourgensen for the final record. “Paul Barker was an integral part of that, and he's part of these recordings now as well. So, yeah, I'm just putting a nice little bow on a nice little career.”
Although Jourgensen is retiring Ministry, his commitment to activism remains as strong as ever. “Democracy is under threat, and so everyone should pay attention. If you like this system or if you don't, I would suggest maybe going to live in an autocratic country for a while and voicing your opinions and see how that goes over.” Even though he’s stepping back from touring, he’s not abandoning creativity. He has shifted focus to composing for films, including an upcoming documentary about the mistreatment of Indigenous people in Oklahoma. “I did the whole score and also a song or two that's coming out from the record… it's called Long Knife.”
So, what lies ahead for Al Jourgensen? A bit of everything — and nothing. “I might now be able to sleep a full eight hours at night and enjoy my swimming pool and just kind of chill out. I really don't have any plans outside of just doing art, like just canvases and stuff like that.”
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