“Music feels more like a job now” – Al Jourgensen explains why Ministry is coming to an end

Industrial metal pioneer Al Jourgensen has revealed the reasons behind his decision to bring Ministry to a close after over four decades at the forefront of alternative music. The iconic frontman plans to release one final album and embark on a farewell world tour before retiring the influential project he started in 1981.

In a significant move, Jourgensen has reunited with former bandmate Paul Barker, who was instrumental in Ministry‘s most acclaimed period from 1988’s “The Land of Rape and Honey” through 2003’s “Animositisomina.” Barker has returned to help craft the band’s 17th and final record. Speaking candidly on Full Metal Jackie’s podcast, Jourgensen explained his approach to ending Ministry:

“Paul Barker was an integral part of that and he’s part of these recordings now as well. I’m just putting a nice little bow on a nice little career.”

The 66-year-old musician emphasized this truly will be the end, adding:

“We’re going to do one final album and one final tour and it’s not going to be like Kiss. I’m not going to be coming back every week or month, or playing all the casinos.”

Rather than health issues or band conflicts driving the decision, Jourgensen admitted to a simpler reason:

“My ears are tired from music. It’s getting harder to create something fresh without repeating myself, and the challenge becomes greater with each album.”

Despite this creative fatigue, he remains excited about the upcoming release:

“That’s not to say the next album won’t be great, because it already is. We’re halfway done, and it sounds amazing. Amazing. But just saying that it’s a different kind of vibe. It’s more like a job now as opposed to having youthful enthusiasm.”

The reunion with Barker appears to have reinvigorated the project for its final chapter.

“Let’s get Barker back in, which is a nice twist because both he and I have grown since we worked together in the ’90s. So it makes for an interesting twist on our combination of taste and talents. I just think everything is wrapping up perfectly.”

As for his plans after Ministry concludes? Jourgensen was characteristically direct:

“When I’m done, I am done. I’m done. You can catch me by the pool.”