On Monday, 12 May 2025, Ministry brought their industrial rock carnival to a sold-out show at Baltimore Soundstage in Baltimore, Maryland. The band was out promoting their latest album, The Squirrely Years Revisited, featuring reworked versions of songs from their early post-punk and synthpop days. At one point during the show, Ministry founder and vocalist Al Jourgensen praised the city for being home to both Edgar Allen Poe and John Waters, two influences on full display as Ministry delivered dark and flashy take on the band’s early music. German industrial rock and electronic body music (EBM) band Die Krupps and English EBM band Nitzer Ebb opened the show.
Some may be wondering why you’re reading about these bands in a punk rock publication, let me explain. Ministry, Nitzer Ebb, and Die Krupps emerged in the wake of the first-generation of punk and post-punk bands, inspired by the social, economic, political, and stylistic characteristics of these musical subcultures. In a sense, these bands represent another branch of the punk rock family. And, for you electronic and industrial curious listeners, you may find they’re a great place to begin exploring these punk adjacent genres.
Ministry walked on stage decked out in wild and crazy 1980’s inspired sequenced jacket, an homage to the reworked songs from their post-punk inspired synthpop and EBM early days. Led by founding member and vocalist Jourgensen, the band included John Bechdel (synthesizers), Cesar Soto (guitar), Monte Pittman (guitar), Paul D’Amour (bass), and Pepe Clarke Magaña (drums). The set included many songs from Ministry’s debut album, With Sympathy, which Jourgensen had disowned for years. The new versions of the songs brought in elements of rock, glam, and post-punk that really showcased Jourgensen’s songwriting and gave a glimpse of a version of Ministry and might have been possible in some alternate universe. So, while Ministry didn’t play staples and fan favorites from their industrial rock catalog, they did celebrate rarely performed songs with fans old and new. They ended their set with two covers – Fad Gadget’s “Ricky’s Hand,” available on their 2024 album, “HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES,” and Rod Stewart’s “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?” as done by Ministry side project Revolting Cocks on their 1993 album Linger Ficken’ Good … and Other Barnyard Oddities. It was my third time to see them, and it was a great experience each time. Be sure to check them out near you here.
Ministry’s Set List:
“Work For Love”
“Here We Go”
“All Day”
“I’ll Do Anything For You”
“Same Old Madness”
“‘Cause We’re In Love Again”
“I’m Falling”
“Just Like You”
“Over The Shoulder”
“We Believe”
“Effigy (I’m Not An)”
“Revenge”
“Everyday Is Halloween”
“Ricky’s Hand”
“Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?”
Nitzer Ebb hit the stage and launched their passionate set of post-punk inspired EBM. This was my second time to see them, and they didn’t disappoint. Vaughan “Bon” Harris (programming, synthesizers, drums, vocals) assumed vocal duties and David Gooday (drums) covered down on synthesizer while their lead vocalist Douglas McCarthy was off the road and in recovery for cirrhosis of the liver. Harris sang his heart out almost as if he was singing for both himself and McCarthy as he paced along the stage in a wild frenzy. It was Nitzer Ebb’s last night of touring, but will resume touring with Front Line Assembly, Lead into Gold, and others in September 2025! Find them here.
Nitzer Ebb’s Set List:
“Control I’m Here”
“Hearts And Minds”
“Blood Money”
“Lightning Man”
“Captivate”
“Once You Say”
“Join In The Chant”
“Murderous”
Die Krupps opened the show and performed a powerful set of EBM and industrial rock. Founding members Jürgen Engler (vocals and percussion) and Ralf Dörper (synthesizers) were joined by Paul Keller (drums) and Dylan Smith (guitar). Engler led the show with his energetic and charismatic performance, singing his heart out to the audience and punctuating songs with classic industrial flare by banging metal rods on his custom stahlophon (steelophone), a custom xylophone made from steel pipes. Dörper kept the songs on track with this focused stoicism while Keller and Smith kept the energy up and the crowd moving. This was my first time seeing Die Krupps and I look foraward to seeing them again. Find them here.
Die Krupps Set List:
“Nazis auf Speed”
“Der Amboss” (The Anvil)
“Fatherland”
“Metal Machine Music”
“Robo Sapien”
“To The Hilt”
“Bloodsuckers”
It was a great night to witness these three great bands rock and dance and into the night with an amazing crowd and venue. I look forward to hearing more from these bands and seeing them back out on the road. Die Krupps recently partnered with Cinnamon Babe to create a raucous cover of Neil Young’s “Cinnamon Girl,” which came out on 22 April 2025. We wish Nitzer Ebb’s Douglas McCarthy good health and the ability to join them back out on the road. And, we can’t wait to hear what Ministry cooks up on their upcoming final album with former longtime member, Paul Barker, back in the fold. And, for you hardcore fans, Ministry’s new drummer, Magaña, also plays for California hardcore band Strife. Enjoy!
Check out the links below to for photos.
See you in the crowds!!
