Ministry Spark The Paramount Huntington, NY 4-19-18 w/ Chelsea Wolfe & The God Bombs

Discussion
1

I enjoyed the show. Hung out with Sin and we had a great chat by the booth. RevCo is in the works btw! Got Tony and Burton to sign the cover too. The god bombs opener…got to chat with Justin and they did a Ministry cover…Flashback. Skipped Wolfe.

[url “https://imgur.com/4HwdzYS”]https://imgur.com/4HwdzYS

[url “https://imgur.com/SmWHPdM”]https://imgur.com/SmWHPdM

Some review I found…

Times are changing
and damn, they sure are confusing. A period in American history where no one knows which way is up, fortunately we can all turn to music to blow off some steam in a non-violent and therapeutic way. That in mind, on Thursday, April 19, 2018, The Paramount in Huntington, New York was the latest rally point on the brash, defiant Amerikkkant Tour headlined by Industrial legends Ministry. Support on the tour came from the up and coming Chelsea Wolfe, with opening act The God Bombs to kick things off. Supporting their new album Amerikkkant, the U.S. leg of the Ministry tour began in Anaheim, California back on March 22nd, and will conclude on April 28th in Austin, Texas, but not before leaving an impression across the continent.
Ready to leave that proverbial mark on the Long Island village of Huntington, The Paramount is a fairly cavernous venue, situated as it is amidst an intimate downtown of chain stores, banks, pharmacies, and the usual footprints of suburban American life. Other than the Ministry logo, dark on a white background, resonating at the rush of commuters passing by, there was very little to suggest that a night of brilliant performances was about to take place inside.
Opening up the proceedings were Brooklyn, New York based The God Bombs. Frenetic, energetic, and ready to wake up the slowly filling venue, the band is comprised of Justin Symbol, Edrick Supervi, and Jabbath Roa. Together these guys put forth a display of a Punk-infused racket of Industrial, Alt-Rock, and most importantly – rage fueled stagecraft. A relatively new project, they did a fitting job of jumpstarting the evening performing songs such as “Hexxx,” “Breed,” and “Low Lights.” Offering an interesting take on Industrial music, be sure to check out the trio’s debut EP, Hex, out now.

Next up would be the enchanting, up and coming artist Chelsea Wolfe. The California native has been working hard, touring the world in support of her fifth studio album, Hiss Spun. Certainly making a name for herself amongst fans of a multitude of genres, it remained to be seen how the crowd at The Paramount would welcome the dulcet darkness of Wolfe while eagerly awaiting the raucous, beat-driven headliners.
For every group of ‘90s kids’ now knocking on 40, there were black clad minions aplenty eager for, and possibly only there for, the tall and languid songstress. As the pulse of “Carrion Flowers” blared out, Wolfe and her band – featuring Ben Chisholm on bass guitar and keys, Jess Gowrie on drums, and Bryan Tulao on lead guitar – took the stage almost shyly, with very little fanfare. The music does their talking, and on this night Wolfe took the stage in white robes, slashed on the back with writing. Her pain, the rawness of her art uncovered like fresh wounds, besets the beauty and gracefulness of her songs.
From the new album, 2017’s Hiss Spun, “Vex” sat proudly alongside the nervous energy of “Demons,” the band flawlessly executing each song with supreme confidence. Despite the fact that some fans were not feeding off her energy, there was a healthy roar following each wrenching song Wolfe played. Many clichés get thrown around about certain artists’ live performances, but to say that Chelsea Wolfe is spellbinding is an understatement.
“After The Fall,” “Dragged Out,” and the fresh new “16 Psyche” could have been hypnotic mantras as easily as just plain songs. Surrounding her languid, commanding self at center-stage, Chisholm pulled heavy bottom-end vibrations from his bass guitar that seemed to come from the bottoms of his feet. Gowrie both pummeled and caressed her kit, as needed, riding the emotional waves of the songs as one whole sonic organism. When the last song brought her to her knees, Wolfe’s time was up and the crowd could shake off the magic spell they had wittingly or unwittingly been made a part of.
Lastly, it was time for the one and only Ministry. Around for over 35 years, Ministry is something of an institution, a hybrid of Industrial, Metal, and Punk Rock which helped shape and revolutionize ’90s sonic extremity. The band, led by the inimitable Al Jourgensen, has navigated itself through a host of ups and downs, dealing with the frontman’s addiction issues, the death of a long-time member, not by being tentative but by always going balls-out, in your face, and bringing the intensity. This tour sees them supporting their aforementioned 14th studio album, Amerikkkant, which came out only recently, and is a real kick in the pants for the long lived group.
Immersing The Paramount, band leader Al Jourgensen, or Uncle Al, as he is sometimes affectionately known, clearly meant business. From the large projector screen to the twin inflatable Donald J. Trump chickens complete with crossed out swastikas adorning either end of the stage, it promised to be a wild night ahead. Two wicked podium style microphone stands, each one some type of skeletal bat-creature, revealed the showman behind the sunglasses-wearing Jourgensen. Done up with long dreads and a look that screams Mickey Rourke in True Romance, the energetic singer took the stage with a motley bunch. Opening with “Twilight Zone,” the long intro to Amerikkkant, fans were treated to the latest in the long line of presidents earning Uncle Al’s defiant ire. Featuring the slogan of our 45th president “Make America Great Again,” drawn out eerily and mockingly, the crowd began to get into it.
When Jourgensen introduced a special guest, asking the crowd if they liked Fear Factory, the hall responded with a resounding roar. Then, to many’s surprise, out popped Burton C. Bell, vocalist and co-founder of the aforesaid group, and the band performed the pounding, harrowing “Victims of a Clown.” Bell made the ‘circle pit’ sign with his fingers as he gazed upon adoring fans, but the request was not truly heeded until around the time they played “Senor Peligro,” whose speed and alarm hit the crowd like a fist. Then, taking it back, “LiesLiesLies” and “Rio Grande Blood” showed off the best of that mid-2000s decade, when it was President George W. Bush’s turn to get the Ministry treatment.
Keeping the night interesting, Bell appeared again, this time accompanying Jourgensen on “We’re Tired of It” and new crackling anthem “Wargasm.” Bell performed the chilling spoken word section of the latter, a monologue about the distinctly sexual pleasure certain power-hungry sociopaths get from destroying human life.
For “Antifa,” mask-clad street terrorists similar to the ones appearing at rallies – and perplexingly, at certain live music venues fighting against free expression – came out on stage waving flags. The apocalyptic vibe and anti-government atmosphere certainly makes for some great visuals, and the band performed the music with unflinching energy. As Jourgensen stalked the stage carrying a megaphone, Tony Campos (Static X, Prong, [url “https://crypticrock.com/?s=Soulfly”]Soulfly) on bass guitar, Cesar Soto (Pissing Razors) on guitar, and Sin Quinn (also guitar) were completely on-point. Up on keys, the amazing John Bechdel (Killing Joke, Fear Factory), held it down along with the goggle wearing DJ Swamp.
With the crowd stoked to rampant levels, Jourgensen coaxed even more from his followers, calling the audience shy and making disapproving smirks and head tilts until everyone was eating out of his hands. It was time to go back in time. It was time to see Ministry play “Just One Fix,” with a rapid transition to “N.W.O.” The pit in the middle, for all it remained a bit spaced apart, certainly saw its share of battery. The two classics carpet-bombed The Paramount, and just when it seemed like they were revving down, Ministry played “Thieves.” The energy in the hall reached kinetic proportions, the air itself sweating as fans of all ages collided and bounced with ferocity. It was not over yet, as a virulent run-through of “So What” turned up the heat even more. After a brief span, Ministry returned to chants of their band name to regale the hungry crowd with “Bad Blood” from the soundtrack of 1999’s Sci-Fi Action flick The Matrix.
Overall, despite the sonic differences between the two main acts, the night – and the tour – is proving to be a massive success. If possible, catch this tour before it wraps up because while Chelsea Wolfe is still reaching her creative peak, Ministry is still at the top.

2

I enjoyed the show. Hung out with Sin and we had a great chat by the booth. RevCo is in the works btw!

Yeah, Al mentioned this in a magazine interview recently as well. Did Sin say anything about how this affects the other band that’s been touring as Revolting Cocks lately? When that happened, I figured they had the name back for good and Al’s camp was done with it.

3

Intrigued by the new mention of more RevCo from Al and Sin. Wonder how the rights situation is being dealt with? Looking forward to more info on that.

4

Did you see the FB post of Al and Phildo at Levitation Festival in Austin? Hint hint hint!!!

5

Bell made the ‘circle pit’ sign with his fingers as he gazed upon adoring fans, but the request was not truly heeded until around the time they played “Senor Peligro,” whose speed and alarm hit the crowd like a fist.

HAHHAAHA!!! Maybe we’re just too fucking rowdy or something in LA, but I can never get more than a song in before shit’s already blown up. And, since I’m old and winded, I actually prefer to get some action in during the slower songs and have a moderate chance of survival, haha.

6

It started with Punch In The Face in Atlanta and then never really stopped. I think Twilight Zone is just too slow.

8

The pit at Boston was pretty sad. It was mostly just the same like 4 or 5 drunk guys just kind of stumbling around and tripping over each other (plus the obligatory douchebag trying to ram past the fan-barricade and involve smaller people who weren’t trying to be part of the pit - surprised a bouncer didn’t stomp his ass) and didn’t really start up until around Senor Peligro or LiesLiesLies. It basically stopped at the beginning of “Antifa” and most of those dudes stuck up their middle fingers at Al/the stage in general and vanished, but things got pretty rowdy again towards the end of “Just One Fix” and stayed that way until the end. As I thought, mostly people there for the old stuff.

9

HAHAHAHA!!! I think people getting butthurt over “Antifa” is one of the funniest things ever.

10

It really is.

11

I was frankly surprised at the positive reaction Antifa got in Atlanta. You’d think down here we’d have a lot of rednecks angry about that song but you’d be wrong.

On the other hand, a friend of mine was working the HeadCount voter registration table at the show and he had several people come up angry about Antifa or the fact that word “Democracy” appeared on the literature (“I’m not a Democrat!”). They were always late middle-aged fading goth/metal types.

12

or the fact that word “Democracy” appeared on the literature (“I’m not a Democrat!”).

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Well, I’m not a Republican, so why this goddamned flag pledge talkin’ 'bout a “republic”?

13

I think it’s utterly ridiculous that Antifascists have been aligned with the people they oppose. God forbid the Nazis actually rise again, the allies will be smeared as a hate group as well.

The stupidity coming out of people lately is staggering. The Earth is flat and Australia doesn’t exist and never did. It’s a big ruse that’s been played on the world for hundreds of years to disguise the fact that Britain killed those criminals and didn’t actually relocate them to a land 'cause it doesn’t exist.

Dark ages here we come again with willful ignorance. [:(]

14

In concept, Antifa sounds great. But they’re just as ideologically dogmatic as anyone else and the critique (sometimes quite valid) is that they, in turn, act very fascist in nature as they have no tolerance for any thought outside their narrow frame.

I’d think they were pretty cool if they just counter-protested Neo-Nazis, KKK, etc. but they usually just create a flashpoint and end up, by default, looking like total asses and making victims and underdogs out of the creeps they oppose.

Worse, though, is that, in America, we honestly don’t have a whole lot of straight up and open racists, bigots, etc. so they focus on other menial and tangential shit which may have nothing to do with Nazism, racism, etc.

Recent incidents have them swarming/protesting/threatening various metal shows because someone was photographed in a Swastika t-shirt 10 years ago . . . or because a past band member was “Sieg Heiling” in a photo from 10 years ago.

I just think if they actually had a clear objective and plans they wouldn’t be so restless or attack the dumbest of targets willy nilly. But I don’t think these groups typically give a shit about objectives. Mostly they want to dress up like skinny Ninjas and run around waving flags and throwing rocks. C’est La Vie.

15

In concept, Antifa sounds great. But they’re just as ideologically dogmatic as anyone else and the critique (sometimes quite valid) is that they, in turn, act very fascist in nature as they have no tolerance for any thought outside their narrow frame.

Are you serious?! Not tolerating intolerance is not an example of intolerance.

I’d think they were pretty cool if they just counter-protested Neo-Nazis, KKK, etc. but they usually just create a flashpoint and end up, by default, looking like total asses and making victims and underdogs out of the creeps they oppose.

That’s the narrative that is pushed and I reject. As far as I know, they’re anti intolerance. So if you’re a hate group trying to make life difficult for someone else then yeah, they’re probably gonna get in your face.

Worse, though, is that, in America, we honestly don’t have a whole lot of straight up and open racists, bigots, etc. so they focus on other menial and tangential shit which may have nothing to do with Nazism, racism, etc.

We have enough openly racist groups and even still those that aren’t willing to be openly racist still display racist behaviors. you can usully spot those people by their rhetoric… “I’m not racist but…”

Recent incidents have them swarming/protesting/threatening various metal shows because someone was photographed in a Swastika t-shirt 10 years ago . . . or because a past band member was “Sieg Heiling” in a photo from 10 years ago.

This sounds over blown if not down right false… Like BLM chanting to kill cops

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/black-lives-matter-protesters-chant-for-dead-cops-now-in-baton-rouge/

I just think if they actually had a clear objective and plans they wouldn’t be so restless or attack the dumbest of targets willy nilly. But I don’t think these groups typically give a shit about objectives. Mostly they want to dress up like skinny Ninjas and run around waving flags and throwing rocks. C’est La Vie.

Many of these people that do this aren’t associated with Antifa at all. Like when it happened in Seattle. It was the homeless doing it and Antifa got blamed cause it was convenient.

https://www.snopes.com/news/2017/08/17/are-antifa-and-the-alt-right-equally-violent/

https://www.snopes.com/news/2017/03/30/antifa-white-posters-seattle/

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/antifa-protestor-punch-m80/

17

My probably with antifa is that the protestors are idiots.

But no problem with hate groups?

18

[reply][reply]My probably with antifa is that the protestors are idiots.

But no problem with hate groups?[/reply]

You mean I am only allowed to have a problem with one thing?[/reply]
By your original statement it would appear you only have a problem with one thing.
you got hate groups and you got an Anti hate group and you chose to state your displeasure with the anti hate group.

19

[reply][reply][reply][reply]My probably with antifa is that the protestors are idiots.

But no problem with hate groups?[/reply]

You mean I am only allowed to have a problem with one thing?[/reply]
By your original statement it would appear you only have a problem with one thing.
you got hate groups and you got an Anti hate group and you chose to state your displeasure with the anti hate group.[/reply]

Perhaps you should lesson your assumptions.[/reply]
I didnt assume anything. I asked a clarifying question. You went off on some unrelated topic (although had the appearance of being related) as per usual.

20

Have any of us been at a concert that was protested by antifa and/or was canceled due to antifa?

22

[reply]Have any of us been at a concert that was protested by antifa and/or was canceled due to antifa?

Has it happened? I haven’t heard of any such instances.[/reply]

Antifa is always trying to stop Death In June from playing. Concerts have been canceled, but I don’t know if Antifa itself was associated with the groups that made that happen.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_in_June#Cancelled_performance_in_Chicago,_Illinois

23

[reply][reply][reply][reply][reply][reply]My probably with antifa is that the protestors are idiots.

But no problem with hate groups?[/reply]

You mean I am only allowed to have a problem with one thing?[/reply]
By your original statement it would appear you only have a problem with one thing.
you got hate groups and you got an Anti hate group and you chose to state your displeasure with the anti hate group.[/reply]

Perhaps you should lesson your assumptions.[/reply]
I didnt assume anything. I asked a clarifying question. You went off on some unrelated topic (although had the appearance of being related) as per usual.[/reply]

Your initial question was idiotic. “You don’t have a problem with hate groups?” Do you really need clarification on something as ridiculous as that? Did you expect me to answer “No, I think hate groups are cool.”[/reply]
I don’t know if you think hate groups are cool. I don’t presume anything about you anymore. What’s more ridiculous, my question or the fact that based on your own past admissions here on the board, you vote republican just like those hate groups? (We all know what big liberal/progressive voters those neo nazis are) You could very well have no problems with hate groups, especially since you felt it necessary to state your scorn for at least one group that is anti hate/anti intolerance and remain silent on the hate groups. Silence=agreement you have said nothing about hate groups. (now or anything I can recall in the past)