Two landmark albums from MINISTRY are set to be re-released next month as part of Rhino’s annual Rocktober campaign, which features limited-edition vinyl from iconic Warner Music artists. On October 4, deluxe editions of the 1986 album Twitch and the 1988 classic The Land Of Rape And Honey will hit local record stores while supplies last. Here are the details for each special release:
Twitch (Deluxe Edition)
This deluxe edition showcases MINISTRY’s early industrial sound, featuring standout tracks like “Just Like You” and “Over The Shoulder.” The album includes remixes and extended versions, such as the “All Day Remix” and the “12” Version” of “Over The Shoulder,” offering a deeper exploration of the band’s innovative and brooding style. Available on 2LP black vinyl.
The Land Of Rape And Honey (Deluxe Edition)
Experience the raw intensity of The Land Of Rape And Honey in this deluxe edition. This definitive collection includes iconic tracks like “Stigmata” and the haunting title track, along with exclusive remixes and extended cuts. It captures the album’s industrial ferocity and energy, available on 2LP black vinyl.
This news follows MINISTRY’s energetic summer as a featured act on the “Freaks On Parade” tour, alongside ROB ZOMBIE and ALICE COOPER. The band has one final performance scheduled for 2024, set for California’s Aftershock festival on October 10.
Additionally, MINISTRY’s 16th studio album, Hopiumforthemasses, was released on March 1, 2024, via Nuclear Blast Records. This album includes the singles “Goddamn White Trash,” “Just Stop Oil,” “B.D.E.,” and “New Religion.” The current lineup features founder Al Jourgensen, alongside John Bechdel (keyboards), Monte Pittman and Cesar Soto (guitars), Roy Mayorga (drums), and Paul D’Amour (bass). The album also features guest contributions from artists like GOGOL BORDELLO’s Eugene Hutz, Jello Biafra, and CORROSION OF CONFORMITY’s Pepper Keenan.
Founded in 1981 in Chicago, MINISTRY has long been the passion project of Al Jourgensen, a pioneer in industrial music. The band initially gained recognition for its heavy synth-pop sound in the early ’80s but evolved into a more aggressive style with seminal albums like Twitch, The Land Of Rape And Honey, and The Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Taste. Their 1992 release, Psalm 69: The Way To Succeed And The Way To Suck Eggs, marked a peak in mainstream success, earning the band its first Grammy nomination. Over the years, MINISTRY has received six Grammy nominations and has released a total of 16 studio albums, reflecting Jourgensen’s views on societal and political issues, especially in recent works like AmeriKKKant and Moral Hygiene.
