Ministry brings The Squirrely Years tour to Denver’s Mission Ballroom May 31st, 2025

As I posted on Facebook with a pic from inside the Mission Ballroom, “it’s concert night, I’m in my happy place”!

Joining Ministry that night were Die Krupps, an industrial powerhouse from Germany, kicking off the evening with an electrifying performance. According to frontman Jürgen Engler, the band hadn’t played in the U.S. for many years, making their return a highly anticipated event. As the venue quickly filled, their synth-heavy sound—reminiscent of a bass-heavy KMFDM—set the tone for the night.

The band launched into their set with "Nazis auf Speed" from their 2013 album The Machinists of Joy. Though I wasn’t familiar with their music beforehand, the opening track immediately pulled me in, paving the way for a set packed with energy and intensity. Engler seamlessly alternated between German and English vocals, maintaining a dynamic presence that kept the crowd engaged. At several points, he took to playing what could only be described as an industrial xylophone—large metal pipes of varying sizes that rang out with an anvil-like resonance, adding a raw, mechanical edge to the performance.

Though their set was brief, it was undeniably effective. The audience embraced the band’s presence with enthusiasm, and I found myself just as captivated by their powerful sound and commanding stage presence.

Die Krupps members:

Jürgen Engler – vocals, guitars, keyboards, synthesizers and programming,

Stahlophon (metallic percussion) (1980–1985, 1989–1997, 2005–present)

Ralf Dörper – keyboards, synthesizers and programming (1980–1982, 1985, 1989–1997, 2005–present)

Paul Keller – drums (2018–present)

Dylan Smith - guitars (2024- present)

Set list:

Nazis auf Speed 2013 The Machinists of Joy ·

Der Amboss (Visage cover)

Fatherland 1993 II (The Final Option + The Final Option Remixed)

Metal Machine Music 1992 1

Robo Sapien 2013 The Machinists of Joy 

To the Hilt 1993 II (The Final Option + The Final Option Remixed)

Bloodsuckers 1993 II (The Final Option + The Final Option Remixed)

Next up was My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult, hailing from Chicago—a band I wasn’t familiar with before, but one that immediately made an impression. Rooted in Industrial Metal, they’ve carved out a distinct sound that blends the genre’s signature grit with an infectious dance beat. Their set was an electrifying fusion of heavy rhythms and hypnotic grooves, keeping the crowd moving from start to finish. The energy hit another level with tracks like “The Days of Swine and Roses” and "A Daisy Chain 4 Satan”, each pulsing with an irresistible swagger. It was something different for me—a fresh and unexpected experience—and those are always the best surprises.

My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult members:

Groovie Mann

Buzz McCoy

Mimi Star

Justin Bennett

Set List:

Shock of Point 6 2004 

A Daisy Chain 4 Satan 1990 Confessions of a Knife 

Satan 1990

The Days of Swine and Roses 2020

Nervous Xians 2002 Elekrik Inferno

On This Rack 1988

A Girl Doesn't Get Killed by a Make-Believe Lover... 'Cuz It's Hot 2004 album same name

A Continental Touch

Sex on Wheelz 1991 Leather Sex

Do You Fear (For Your Child) 1988 I See Good Spirits and I See Bad Spirits

And This Is What the Devil Does 1988 I See Good Spirits and I See Bad Spirits

I have had the pleasure of covering Ministry’s show’s four times over the years and tonight being the 5th time and what the band had planned for this tour, I was very excited! What did the band have planned? Well, as the band made their way onto the stage and with a deafening roar from the crowd, Al Jourgensen, mic in hand, yelled out, “DENVER! Always so good to come back, yeah”! Al continues, “you all ready to take the hot tub time machine down memory lane”! With a loud cheer from their fans, the band starts their set with “Work for Love” from their 1983 album, With Sympathy and AL was on the move. 

The first song set the tone for their night and the energy level in the venue was on the rise as Al moved about the stage. The music was mostly from Ministry’s early days with albums, With Sympathy from 1983 and Twitch from 1986, and their fans loved every song. As a photographer Ministry is always a fun band to photograph. Their stage presence is second to none and keeping an eye on Al and his facial expressions and those moments when he stops and poses are priceless. (see photo gallery) The stage at the Mission Ballroom is very roomy for band members to move about and with the lights dancing everywhere and the large video screen in back of the stage constantly changing colorful designs, makes for some interesting photographs.

In the middle of the stage were The Squirrely Girls, two lovely ladies dressed to kill on backing vocals and had their own moves to go along with their singing. As Al would move across the stage, at times looking like he was stalking someone then he would stop and looking out into the crowd, another strange facial expression would appear. He would move back to center stage, stop, raise his arms, sometimes crossing his legs and pose. At times it seemed that everyone on stage was on the move displaying their skills and wowing their fans. Myself and the other photogs were on the move trying to capture “that shot” and I know I was smiling the whole time because I was having so much fun with a great band!

Rounding out their night, Ministry finished their set with an encore of two covers to top off a great night of sight and sound, “Ricky's Hand” (Fad Gadget cover) and “Da Ya Think I'm Sexy”? (Rod Stewart cover) (Revolting Cocks version) Ministry said good night to a very loud roaring crowd showing their appreciation for an amazing show.

Ministry members:

Al Jourgensen – vocals/guitar

Cesar Soto - guitar

Monte Pittman - guitar

Paul D'Amour - bass

Pepe Clarke Magaña - drums

John Bechdel - keys

The Squirrely Girls

Set List:

Work for Love 1983 With Sympathy

Here We Go 1983

All Day 1986

Same Old Madness 1982 Chicago 1982

Just Like You 1986

Over the Shoulder 1986 Twitch

We Believe 1986

Effigy (I'm Not An) 1983 

Revenge 1983

(Everyday Is) Halloween 1987 Twelve Inch Singles (1981–1984)

Encore:

Ricky's Hand

(Fad Gadget cover)

Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?

(Rod Stewart cover) (Revolting Cocks v