MINISTRY – MELVINS – CORROSION OF CONFORMITY

 

Last Friday, Al Jourgensen dispatched the Ministry “Industrial Strength” tour to College Street Music Hall in New Haven with Melvins and Corrosion Of Conformity in support. The venue was the perfect setting for three outstanding pioneers of modern day metal. College Street was packed with avid fans who wanted to embrace an evening of intense music and headbanging grooves.

Corrosion Of Conformity opened the show with a eight song slugfest. Opening with “Bottom Feeder”, the band dove immediately into their signature brand of high-powered metal. Pepper Keenan (Lead Vocals/Guitar) was imposing from the start. His voice carried an impetuous tenor and his persona was tension filled. Woody Weatherman on lead guitar was towering with monstrous guitar riffs and explosive solos. Bassist Mike Dean delivered an audacious bass line and drummer John Green was masterful. COC’s set included most of their powerful hits including “Albatross” and “Vote With A Bullet”. “Clean My Wounds” closed out their night . COC already had the crowd in a frenzy and wanting more.

Melvins were next to hit the stage. The band consists of Buzz Osborne (Lead Vocals/Guitar}, Steven Shane McDonald (Bass/Vocals) and Dale Crover (Drums/Vocals). There is no way to truly describe Melvins. Their music is heavy and full of dark and meanincing sludge. Hailed as being the forefathers of grunge, Melvins didn’t disappoint. They entered the stage with the Sanford and Sons theme song and then tore into “The Kicking Machine”. From the start you could tell they were on point. Osborne, with his crazed hair, was manic throughout the performance. McDonald was just as cinematic and his bass toted an edgy feel. Crover’s drums hit like a earthquake. Melvins were on stride.

 

All of their twelve songs were genuinely impressive. Buzz’s guitar distributed unearthly sounds of rapture. His vocals were aggressively pummeling, Shane’s bass had a pulverizing fervor and Crover’s percussions were huge. The audience loved every minute. Melvins vigorously ripped into their set. “It Shoved” flowed into “Anaconda” and “Queen”. They ended with amazing reeditions of “Hooch”, “Honey Bucket” and “The Bit”. This night, Melvins tore the roof off the house.

Headliners, Ministry followed. They came on stage with their backdrop stating “Ministry Stands With Ukraine“.  Ministry performed behind a chain linked fence which heightened one’s view of the world’s current state of affairs. Founding member and vocalist,  Al Jourgensen was completely captivating. His stage presence manifested a dynamic punch. His control over the room was astounding. Young and old headbanged to the exotic rhythms the band was emitting.

Ministry started out as a synth-pop band from Chicago and morphed into one of the leading industrial metal bands of all time. Besides Jourgensen, the current line-up is comprised of Cesar Soto (Guitar), Monte Pittman (Guitar), Paul D’Amour (Bass), Roy Mayorga (Drums) annd John Bechdel (Keys). Their musicianship enlivened the entire show. The guitars were shredding and the synths were dispensing aural magic. D’Amour’s bass was sharp and Mayoga’s drums fired incendiary bullets of sound.

From the first song, “Brerathe”. Jourgensen captured the room’s attention. He prowled like a caged beast ready to pounce. His demeanor was ominous and apocalyptic. His aura had a sedated fury, After “Breathe”, Ministry hammered through a colossal assortment of new and old tunes. “The Missing” was followed by “Deity” and “Stigmata”. Three covers followed with Black Sabbath’s “Supernaut” being a standout. Ministry finished with a crazed “Just One Fix”, “Thieves” and “So What”

For the encore, Ministry removed the fence and featured three songs from their newest album, Moral Hygiene (Nuclear Blast). “Alert Level”, “Good Trouble” and the Stooges cover “Search and Destroy” all slayed. Jourgensen and company put on an avalanche of a performance. No one left unsatisfied. I hope all three bands return to College Street real soon.

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To learn more about Ministry, Check out their Website!

Follow on Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / YouTube

Stream music:  Spotify / Apple Music 

Purchase:  Amazon / Bandcamp

To learn more about Melvins, Check out their Website!

Follow on Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / YouTube

Stream music:  Spotify / Apple Music 

Purchase:  Amazon / Bandcamp

To learn more about Corrosion Of Conformity, Check out their Website!

Follow on Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

Stream music:  Spotify / Apple Music 

Purchase:  Amazon / Bandcamp

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