Having originally been scheduled for the summer of 2022, Ministry’s Industrial Strength Tour was finally poised to pulverize the Hard Rock Live in Orlando. Tonight’s cast of characters included Ministry, the Melvins, and Corrosion of Conformity. Together these bands have 120 years of hard-rocking metal under their belts and are more than capable of delivering a cataclysmic assault on the senses. As I made the half-mile walk from the parking garage, I couldn’t help but notice how great it was to see the theme parks operating at 100%. Despite the large crowds, my arrival and check in were a breeze. As I watched the throngs of rockers making their way through the doors, I knew this night was going to be legendary.
Corrosion of Conformity (C.O.C.) was slated to start things off at 7:00. Recognized as one of the 1st punk metal fusion bands, C.O.C. was established by guitarist/vocalist Woody Weatherman. The band has evolved throughout the years and has endured several personnel changes. C.O.C.’s style has also been labeled as sludge metal and stoner rock. One thing’s for sure, the fans were ready as the band took the stage and commenced their set with “Bottom Feeder” from their 1996 album Wiseblood. Guitarist and lead vocalist Pepper Keenan seemed fired up and ecstatic to be on stage while Weatherman kicked out the riffs with a maniacal grin. The fast-paced 9-song set also included “Vote With A Bullet” and “Albatross” before concluding with “Clean My Wounds.” The band sounded great and they were a perfect complement for this tour’s lineup.
Corrosion Of Conformity:
Woody Weatherman: Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals
Mike Dean: Bass, Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Pepper Keenan: Rhythm Guitar, Lead Vocals
John Green: Drums
Setlist:
1.Bottom Feeder (El que come abajo)
2.Paranoid Opiod
3.Shake Like You
4.Diablo Blvd.
5.The Door
6.Vote With A Bullet
7.Wiseblood
8.Albatross
9.Clean My Wounds
Next up were the sludge metal trio, the Melvins. To be honest, I wasn’t that familiar with the Melvins. But, I had been seeing the photos and videos that have been emerging from this tour. To say my curiosity was piqued, would be an understatement. These sludge metal pioneers are out on the road in support of their recent 36-song, all-acoustic album Five Legged Dog. As the house lights dimmed, the theme from Sanford and Son began playing throughout the venue. The band took their spots and fittingly kicked their set off with “The Kicking Machine.” Founding frontman Buzz Osborne, aka King Buzzo, made quite a 1st impression as he emerged clad in a black robe with gold eyes. His signature white hair flew wildly as he simply shredded his guitar. Bassist Steven McDonald came dressed to impress with his all-white ensemble. The set even included a song,”Charlie” from McDonald’s other band, Redd Kross. On a side note, I just learned that the band has recently covered Soundgarden‘s “Spoonman” and even though they didn’t play it, the video is definitely worth checking out.
The already raucous crowd stepped it up a notch as songs such as “Evil New War God” and “Honey Bucket” whipped them into a frenzy. Bodies and drinks were flying, and an errant beer found its way onto the back of my head and one of my lenses. Oh well, the show must go on and it certainly did. Drummer Dale Crover has years of experience including a brief stint with Nirvana and his driving performance was stellar. The Melvins are a band that is extremely passionate about their music, and it translates into their live shows. Be sure to check out their new album and follow them on social media (links at the bottom).
Melvins:
Buzz Osborne: Lead Vocals, Guitar
Dale Crover: Drums, Vocals
Steven Shane McDonald: Bass, Vocals
Setlist:
1.The Kicking Machine
2.It’s Shoved
3.Anaconda
4.Queen
5.Charlie (Redd Kross Cover)
6.Billy Fish
7.Civilized Worm
8.Never Say You’re Sorry
9.Evil New War God
10.Hooch
11.Honey Bucket
12. The Bit
A short break between sets saw a flurry of stagehands scurrying about. I knew with certainty that they were about to construct the fence that I had heard so much about. Ministry has been using a chain link fence that runs along the entire front of the stage since the 90s. Although not a new prop for the band, this would mark my 1st endeavor at shooting a concert through fencing. With a little apprehension I was pumped and ready to get at it. Ministry is the brainchild of Al Jourgensen and its roots were founded in Chicago in 1981. Jourgensen is widely credited as being the founder of industrial metal. Over the years Ministry has racked up a slew of singles, videos and albums including last year’s Moral Hygiene. Right about 9:30 the lights went out and a huge backdrop lit up with the Ukrainian flag and the words “Ministry Stands With Ukraine.” The fans roared as the Ukrainian national anthem poured out of the house speakers.
At the conclusion of the anthem, Ministry came out with a vengeance and went straight into “Breathe” from their 1989 album The Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Waste. If the fence was meant to create a gritty, industrial feel then the mission was accomplished. Jourgensen was sporting his trademark dreads, numerous facial piercings and head scarf, a persona he was rocking long before Captain Jack Sparrow came along. Bassist Paul D’Amour made frequent trips to the front of the stage sometimes even grinding his face against the fence. If the fans had been holding anything back, they were now laying it all out. Songs like “Just One Fix” and “Stigmata” had the circle rotating at full force. Drummer Roy Mayo was chaotically throwing down the beats all night while Keyboardist John Bechdel was positioned across from him and was relentlessly slamming keys.
The band’s set also included several covers including Black Sabbath‘s “Supernaut” and Pailhead’s “Don’t Stand In Line” and “Man Should Surrender.” Pailhead was another of Jourgensen’s musical ventures back in the late 80’s. Guitarists Cesar Soto and Monte Pittman smoked the entire set with their blistering and brutal licks. Jourgensen broke out his guitar and joined them on “N.W.O.” Prior to the encore the fence surrounding the stage was disassembled. A brief memorial video paid tribute to former band members Jeff Ward, William Tucker, Paul Raven, Mike Scaccia, Bill Rieflin and Joey Jordison. Jourgensen made a point to say that without those folks they wouldn’t be here tonight. The 3-song encore was capped off with a cover of Iggy and The Stooges‘ hit “Search and Destroy” and before we knew it the show had come to an end. Ministry is blazing a trail across North America before embarking on a European tour in the fall. This tour is a must see so be sure to keep your eyes open for dates near you.
Ministry:
Al Jourgensen: Lead Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards, Harmonica
John Bechdel: Keyboards
Cesar Soto: Guitar, Backing Vocals
Paul D’Amour: Bass
Roy Mayo: Drums
Monte Pittman: Guitar
Setlist:
1.Breathe
2.The Missing
3.Deity
4.Stigmata
5.Supernaut (Black Sabbath Cover)
6.Don’t Stand In Line (Pailhead Cover)
7.Man Should Surrender (Pailhead Cover)
8.Burning Inside
9.N.W.O.
10.Just One Fix
11.Thieves
12.So What
13.AlertLevel
14.Good Trouble
15.Search And Destroy (Iggy & The Stooges Cover)
Follow Corrosion Of Conformity Online:
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I’ve had a love for photography since I was young. Whether it was a Polaroid or a Kodak 110, I was always the kid with the camera. My love of music goes back even further. Nothing beats being at a show when those lights go down and the crowd goes nuts.
