Ministry to Re-Record Divisive ’80s Material for New Album, The Squirrely Years Revisited
Ministry is set to revisit its early, often criticized material with a new album titled The Squirrely Years Revisited, slated for release on March 28. The album will feature re-recorded versions of the band’s synth-pop era songs from the ’80s, a period that founder Al Jourgensen had long disliked. “Since I hated my early stuff for decades, I decided to take ownership of it and do it right,” Jourgensen said in a statement.
Founded in Chicago in 1981, Ministry initially had a synth-pop sound, which was far removed from the industrial music they would later become known for. After performing alongside bands like Depeche Mode, Culture Club, and A Flock of Seagulls, Ministry released their debut album With Sympathy in 1983. The album’s material was largely phased out of the band’s setlists by 1984, and in 1986, Ministry released Twitch, which marked a significant shift toward a darker, more industrial sound.
Jourgensen has often mentioned that the label pressured him into adopting the synth-pop style and even an English accent for With Sympathy. However, future Pailhead bandmate Ian MacKaye suggested that Jourgensen had only discovered heavier music after the band’s early albums. Ministry’s full embrace of a heavier sound came with their third album, The Land of Rape and Honey (1988), which cemented their place in the industrial scene. The band reached even greater commercial success in the ’90s, with their 1996 album Filth Pig peaking at No. 19 on the Billboard 200.
After breaking up in 2008, Ministry reformed in 2011 and has since hinted at an eventual split. The band signed a deal in 2024 for their final studio album, set for release in 2026, which will see Jourgensen reuniting with longtime collaborator Paul Barker. However, The Squirrely Years Revisited will not be their final album but rather a precursor to their upcoming farewell release.
The new album will include re-recorded tracks from With Sympathy, along with the 1985 single “(Every Day Is) Halloween” and rarities such as “Same Old Madness” and “I’ll Do Anything For You.” Additionally, the Twitch album will be revisited with three exclusive tracks available on the CD edition.
Ministry will also hit the road for a North American tour in April, performing alongside Die Krupps, Nitzer Ebb, and My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult.
