MINISTRY mainman Al Jourgensen‘s new project, SURGICAL METH MACHINE, recently unleashed its debut album via Nuclear Blast Records. Today, the band has released a lyric video for the song ‘Rich People Problems’, here:
SURGICAL METH MACHINE was recorded primarily at Jourgensen’s home studio in Burbank, California with his longtime engineer Sam D’Ambruoso.
In an October 2015 interview with In The Loop magazine, Jourgensen stated about how the idea for SURGICAL METH MACHINE came about: “You know, [guitarist] Mikey [Scaccia] died a couple of years ago, from MINISTRY, and I just figured, like, nah, it’s time to quit. I don’t want to have John Bonham’s kid playing drums for us and having replacement parts forever; that’s just not my scene. So I just figured, ‘All right, let’s stop this. Let’s do some other stuff.’ And not only that. I found that it was really unburdensome to not have the MINISTRY moniker or expectations and just do something like whatever the fuck we want. I mean, the band’s name is SURGICAL METH MACHINE. It’s not like we’re gonna be on Top 40 radio and on ‘The Voice’ and ‘American Idol’. [Laughs]”
He continued: “I understand it’s not a real commercial project for us, it’s not gonna put bank in my wallet, but it was a lot of fun to do, in that sense — of just not having the constraints of the expectations of what you’ve done for twenty years. So this is… It’s kind of new stuff. It’s pretty cool. It sounds like kind of MINISTRY, but it’s a different level. It’s like I literally just put my foot on the gas pedal for this record.”
MINISTRY mainman Al Jourgensen‘s new project, SURGICAL METH MACHINE, recently inked a deal with Nuclear Blast Records for their self-titled debut album. The record, which was recorded primarily at Jourgensen’s home studio in Burbank, California with his longtime engineer Sam D’Ambruoso, will be released on April 15 worldwide.
Recently Uncle Al, sat down with The Wall Street Journal (US), to discuss SURGICAL METH MACHINE, politics and more. Check out the interview and listen to the brand new track “I Don’t Wanna” via The Wall Street Journal HERE.
CD – Tracklist:
01. I’m Sensitive
02. Tragic Alert
03. I Want More
04. Rich People Problems
05. I Don’t Wanna
06. Smash And Grab
07. Unlistenable
08. Gates Of Steel
09. Spudnik
10. Just Go Home
11. Just Keep Going
12. I’m Invisible
LP – Tracklist:
Side A
01. I’m Sensitive
02. Tragic Alert
03. I Want More
04. Rich People Problems
05. I Don’t Wanna
06. Smash And Grab
Side B
01. Unlistenable
02. Gates Of Steel
03. Spudnik
04. Just Go Home
05. Just Keep Going
06. I’m Invisible
In an October 2015 interview with In The Loop magazine, Jourgensen stated about how the idea for SURGICAL METH MACHINE came about: “You know, [guitarist] Mikey [Scaccia] died a couple of years ago, from MINISTRY, and I just figured, like, nah, it’s time to quit. I don’t want to have John Bonham’s kid playing drums for us and having replacement parts forever; that’s just not my scene. So I just figured, ‘All right, let’s stop this. Let’s do some other stuff.’ And not only that. I found that it was really unburdensome to not have the MINISTRY moniker or expectations and just do something like whatever the fuck we want. I mean, the band’s name is SURGICAL METH MACHINE. It’s not like we’re gonna be on Top 40 radio and on ‘The Voice’ and ‘American Idol’. [Laughs]”
He continued: “I understand it’s not a real commercial project for us, it’s not gonna put bank in my wallet, but it was a lot of fun to do, in that sense — of just not having the constraints of the expectations of what you’ve done for twenty years. So this is… It’s kind of new stuff. It’s pretty cool. It sounds like kind of MINISTRY, but it’s a different level. It’s like I literally just put my foot on the gas pedal for this record.”
According to Jourgensen, the sound of SURGICAL METH MACHINE’s debut release leans heavily on the aggressive side, but fans can also expect to hear a few surprises. “There’s a couple of real poppy things on there, which brings me full circle, because, literally, I don’t give a fuck anymore,”he said. “So I’m actually almost acknowledging that first horrible pop record I did in 1983. I’m crooning on some songs, I’ve got some pop songs on there, and then there’s just brutal assault for the rest of it. It’s a very dichotomous record, but it’s me, and I’m acknowledging everything that’s been me through, like, the last 35 years. Let’s just throw my balls on the table and hope somebody doesn’t have a meat cleaver running.”
MINISTRY mainman Al Jourgensen‘s new project, SURGICAL METH MACHINE, has inked a deal with Nuclear Blast Records for their self-titled debut album. The record, which was recorded primarily at Jourgensen’s home studio in Burbank, California with his longtime engineer Sam D’Ambruoso, will be released on April 15 worldwide. In support of the forthcoming album, Al has recorded a series of album trailers, with the third one being posted online today. Watch as he discusses the drumming on the new album, working on music without his Ministry comrades and more:
CD – Tracklist:
01. I’m Sensitive
02. Tragic Alert
03. I Want More
04. Rich People Problems
05. I Don’t Wanna
06. Smash And Grab
07. Unlistenable
08. Gates Of Steel
09. Spudnik
10. Just Go Home
11. Just Keep Going
12. I’m Invisible
LP – Tracklist: Side A
01. I’m Sensitive
02. Tragic Alert
03. I Want More
04. Rich People Problems
05. I Don’t Wanna
06. Smash And Grab Side B
01. Unlistenable
02. Gates Of Steel
03. Spudnik
04. Just Go Home
05. Just Keep Going
06. I’m Invisible
In an October 2015 interview with In The Loop magazine, Jourgensen stated about how the idea for SURGICAL METH MACHINE came about: “You know, [guitarist] Mikey [Scaccia] died a couple of years ago, from MINISTRY, and I just figured, like, nah, it’s time to quit. I don’t want to have John Bonham’s kid playing drums for us and having replacement parts forever; that’s just not my scene. So I just figured, ‘All right, let’s stop this. Let’s do some other stuff.’ And not only that. I found that it was really unburdensome to not have the MINISTRY moniker or expectations and just do something like whatever the fuck we want. I mean, the band’s name is SURGICAL METH MACHINE. It’s not like we’re gonna be on Top 40 radio and on ‘The Voice’ and ‘American Idol’. [Laughs]”
He continued: “I understand it’s not a real commercial project for us, it’s not gonna put bank in my wallet, but it was a lot of fun to do, in that sense — of just not having the constraints of the expectations of what you’ve done for twenty years. So this is… It’s kind of new stuff. It’s pretty cool. It sounds like kind of MINISTRY, but it’s a different level. It’s like I literally just put my foot on the gas pedal for this record.”
According to Jourgensen, the sound of SURGICAL METH MACHINE‘s debut release leans heavily on the aggressive side, but fans can also expect to hear a few surprises. “There’s a couple of real poppy things on there, which brings me full circle, because, literally, I don’t give a fuck anymore,”he said. “So I’m actually almost acknowledging that first horrible pop record I did in 1983. I’m crooning on some songs, I’ve got some pop songs on there, and then there’s just brutal assault for the rest of it. It’s a very dichotomous record, but it’s me, and I’m acknowledging everything that’s been me through, like, the last 35 years. Let’s just throw my balls on the table and hope somebody doesn’t have a meat cleaver running.”
Multi-platinum selling artist, six-time Grammy nominee, and MINISTRY frontman Al Jourgensen has entered rehab. The official Ministry Facebook page has been updated with the following message:
“Dear Ministry Fans Worldwide… Your Uncle Al has successfully entered rehab for alcohol addiction. We are so proud of him for his courage in this and Al would like to thank all of you for your kindness love & support you’ve shown since making his decision to get help!”
MINISTRY mainman Al Jourgensen has revealed that he will check into a rehabilitation facility on February 3 to receive treatment for alcohol dependency.
Writes Jourgensen on his Facebook page: “My sobriety will not, and I repeat, not knock off my sarcasm. If anything, it will intensify.”
He adds: “I appreciate the support from my brother and family.
“[I] kicked dope and crack by myself, but I need help on this one, so all your thoughts and prayers are more than welcome.”
In a September 2013 interview with the Washington Times, Jourgenen was asked when the last time was that he used a drug other than alcohol. “Eleven years as of September 6 [2013],” he replied, before adding. “I don’t do pharmaceuticals. I don’t do street drugs. I don’t do anything. I’m just basically slowly killing myself with liquor as opposed to the fast departation of this mortal core with street drugs or pharmaceuticals. So, I’ve chosen that path.”
Jourgensen reportedly suffered a near-death experience in 2010 as the result of a ruptured ulcer. He told Revolver magazine back in January 2012, “After [MINISTRY‘s] ‘The Last Sucker’ [album was released in 2007], I was puking up blood every day. I didn’t know why. That’s been going on for the last four or five tours, though, and I didn’t see a doctor because I just thought that was part of what happens when you’re my age on a rock tour. I didn’t know there was a condition attached to it. I would puke blood and get off tour and it would go away. But this time I got off tour and it was worse. Blood was coming out my nose, my dick, my mouth. I’d stand up and fall over. I lost so much blood, I couldn’t even walk. Instead of calling the doctor, I put on this medieval helmet that I had made in the Czech Republic, and I would quit hitting my head on the tiles, if I put on the helmet. I wore the helmet around for a couple days. I was a tired, run-down, bloated drunk — just a mess. And then I exploded on March 27, 2010, and they had to take me to the emergency room.”
Asked if he could still drink, Jourgensen replied: “I have a male nurse who weighs 350 pounds named Hector. I call him ‘Hector, the third bottle rejecter.’ I’m only allowed two bottles of wine a day now. And it doesn’t even get to that. It’s about a bottle and a half, and that seems to be good along with the medicine I have to take every day for the rest of my life. I just went and saw my doctor and she said, ‘Yeah, you’re actually doing pretty good for being a fucking degenerate.'”
Al Jourgensen‘s book, “Ministry: The Lost Gospels According to Al Jourgensen” — penned by Jourgensen with Jon Wiederhorn — came out last year on Da Capo Press. It is described in a press release as “the high-octane, no-holds barred memoir by the legendary godfather of industrial music. The book is fascinating, both ugly and captivating, revealing a character that has lived a hard life his way, without compromise.”
Michael “Mike” Scaccia, best known as the lead (and sometimes rhythm) guitarist for the metal bands MINISTRY, RIGOR MORTIS and THE REVOLTING COCKS died on December 23rd after suffering a seizure on stage at the Rail Club in Fort Worth, Texas during Bruce Corbitt’s (Rigor Mortis) 50th birthday show.
Ministry frontman/founder Al Jourgensen has issued the following statement regarding Scaccia’s passing:
“I just lost my lil’ brother and my best friend. The 13th Planet compound is devastated, completely in shock and shattered. Mikey was not only the best guitar player in the history of music, but he was a close, close, close part of our family — and I just lost a huge chunk of my heart today. Our lives are forever changed. Life without Mikey is like orange juice without pulp — kind of bland. I have no words to express what this guy meant to me, my family, my career… everything!
Get to know his lead parts, for they are in the pantheon of music! Unfortunately, most of you didn’t get to know Mikey’s soul, which is in the pantheon of humanity. He is my hero, my friend and my idol. Mikey was always beside me – my right-hand man – through thick and thin, the good, the bad, the ugly and the beautiful.
Rest in peace my brother, my friend, my heart.
Please pray for Mike Scaccia and Jenny, his wife and their children, and his family.”
Corbitt posted the following his Facebook page:
“My brother is gone! The only reason I am who I am is Because of this man. If it was not for him I would not even be in a band. RIP Mike Scaccia! The greatest guitar player I ever knew!”
Most recently Scaccia was endorsing Wildwood Guitars:
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