What better way to celebrate Irish traditions on this St. Patrick’s Day than with an evening of industrial metal? It was time to flashback to the eighties with the pioneers of industrial metal, Ministry. Touring for their new album, HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES. Bringing along the ultimate openers, Canadian duo Front Line Assembly, and flashing back further into musical history with English singer Gary Numan.
If you’ve heard the name Skinny Puppy, then you should recognize the name Front Line Assembly. A project that spawned from it after Bill Leeb decided to leave them in 1986. Diving into what is described as electro-industrial body music.
Leeb and the band’s co-founder Rhys Fulber concocted the perfect atmosphere with the right amount of fog, paired with an arresting light show and apocalyptic images of industry destruction as a backdrop. They indoctrinated the masses with their powerful waves of mechanical-sounding synths and sequencers.
Even though they only played seven songs, it felt like more, as I was entranced by the images flashing of drones flying at us. Proving tonight that age is just a number, with most original members pushing late fifties to late sixties onstage. What we witnessed is more effort and passion than most newer acts today. You can’t buy musical chemistry, which there was no lack thereof all evening.
At 66 years young, Gary Numan looked like he had been drinking from the fountain of youth. Moving about with ease, making use of every inch of the stage. He stalked around his band members, immersing himself in the moment, staying on the prowl the entire set. He created an experience for our aural senses. With the extent of his influences in all genres through the years, it’s no wonder the atmosphere reminded me and many others of a Nine Inch Nails concert.
Hypnotizing everyone with his slick moves and contagious energy. Surrounded by bandmates on both sides towering above him, looking as if they were coming out of the silent film Nosferatu with a modern hint of cyberpunk. Serving up a variety of tunes for our bloodlust, such as “Love Hurt Bleed.” Staying on the heavy synths and sound with “Metal,” “Pray for the Pain You Serve,” and “My Name is Ruin.”
Between sets, I overheard some Ministry fans saying: “Gary Numan is lame,” as they were heading next door to Foufounes Électriques. Anyone who decided to not even give him a chance truly missed out. But to each his own. If the only song you know is Cars, that was by far the weakest song of the night and most likely the most overplayed of his career.
Ministry started the set with a trio of new songs from the latest release as of March 1st. Like fine wine, some things get better with age, and these songs were a little too young to be appreciated. That didn’t stop Montrealers and many visitors from letting out all their pent-up frustrations in the pit.
We were thanked for our patience and not throwing bottles at them. In return, the fans were thrown some ‘doggy treats,’ songs “N.W.O” “Just One Fix” and “Thieves” – to be exact. Three songs that keep the same pace, ever slowly increasing the tension.
With the intensity of all the strobing lights and the pounding beats so far, I’m sure it knocked a few people off their feet. Hard to tell though – with an audience so packed you could only move with the flow of the pit.
Getting the opportunity to witness Ministry’s opening set in Toronto last year, it was exceptionally rowdier than our rival city. This time I was up close on the floor, it was much calmer on the sidelines, but the middle was just pure chaos as it should be. That is why all the bands love our unapologetic nature and wild spirit here. We aren’t like some places where I’ve seen people formally clap lightly that you can barely tell they enjoyed it unless you inquire further.
It was a stronger set from all the guys in the band, though they were a little overtaken by the amount of smoke onstage. It seemed quite alright for singer Al Jourgensen, who pointed out how great our Mary Jane is here. Leading into Jesus Built My Hotrod, which had people hopping and dancing in my corner.
The encore was a tune that had the Gary Numan fans frenzied as Ministry brought him out onstage to cover the Fad Gadget’s song, Ricky’s Hand. It was the perfect way to seamlessly end the set together. What a fun and memorable St. Patrick’s celebration for anyone who attended.
Review – Sam Morris
Photos – Steve Gerrard
