Ministry brought their electro-industrial circus to Toronto on Saturday. A sold out show at History is a testament to the enduring legacy the band has in the metal scene.
Canada’s Front Line Assembly took the stage first. Their set was a clamorous assault of pulsing strobes and percussive pandemonium. A contrast of blinding light against the shadowy darkness made it seem like band members were transporting through time and space while on stage.
Pioneer of the genre, Gary Numan came next. Delivering a hot set of songs that kept the fans moving. Gary and the band played a tight set of songs from a handful of albums. The crowd especially loved a driving version of Numan’s most infamous song, Cars.
Alexander Pope once wrote “Hope Is Eternal”. Ministry’s poet laureate (also named Al) injected Hopiumforthemasses into the veins of the awaiting crowd. The latest album from the band dropped March 1st with positive reviews.
The setlist was a sublime mix of classics with a solid dose of the new material. Songs from the new album included New Religion, Just Stop Oil and Goddamn White Trash. Fan favourites Stigmata, Just One Fix, So What and Jesus Built My Hotrod electrified the already charged up crowd.
Grinding guitars and heavy beats ignited fans young and old to thrash about the mosh pit with a few brave souls getting elevated. Al Jourgensen prowled the stage back and forth enticing the fans with sarcastic barbs and pure vitriol for the establishment.
Once again the band flexed their musical prowess and provided a second encore, Ricky’s Hand, a Fad Gadget cover. It was a special doggy treat for the real fans that didn’t feel the urge to get to bed early. I anticipate this concert to be ringing in my ears both in mentally and physically for the next few days.
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Hopiumforthemasses is available everywhere now. You can pick up a copy here
Be sure to check out Live Nation Ontario to see all of the other great acts that they will be bringing to Toronto this year.
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