Ministry, Gary Numan, and Front Line Assembly Hit Toronto’s History [Photos]

The triple industrial bill of Ministry, Gary Numan and Front Line Assembly rolled into History in Toronto on St. Patrick’s Day Eve for a Saturday night filled with sonic body blows, eye-pounding strobes and fog machines on overdrive.

Canadian electro-industrial duo Front Line Assembly kicked the night off with a very well-received seven-song, 40-min set of their pounding material. Shrouded in haze and backlight, with machine gun strobes firing and otherworldly dystopian imagery rolling on the giant video screen, frontman Bill Leeb and keyboardist Rhys Fulber, along with their touring musicians, hit the sold-out crowd with a solid opening volley of material as far back in their catalogue as 1992.

After a short changeover, Gary Numan, the iconic pioneer of electronic music, took the stage as deep, ominous, swirling electronic sounds filled the room before roaring into “Everything Comes Down To This” from his 2013 release Splinter (Songs from a Broken Mind). In his early days, Numan was known for his purely electronic material. But as the 1980s marched on, he moved into a more industrial guitar-driven sound. The electro backdrop is still there but with a far more intense vibe which commands your attention. And tonight’s show did not disappoint, captivating the audience with his ethereal vocals, pulsating synths, punishing guitars and captivating stage presence.

In the middle opening slot on this Ministry headline tour, Numan kept the set in line with what the Ministry fans might react positively to. Material mostly from 2000 up to his latest release Intruder (2021), filled the 60-min set. With a couple of staple hits from his first solo album, The Pleasure Principle (1979), “Cars” and “Metal.” The visual spectacle accompanying the music was equally mesmerizing, with pulsating lights and surreal projections adding depth and dimension to Numan’s immersive soundscapes.

Ministry, the industrial metal powerhouse led by the enigmatic Al Jourgensen, then hit the stage, delivering a blistering performance that left the audience battered, bruised, and utterly exhilarated. With their relentless energy, punishing riffs, and politically charged lyrics, Ministry proved once again why they are hailed as one of the most influential bands in the genre. Touring on their brand new album Hopiumforthemasses (March 2024), Jourgensen always surrounds himself with a solid touring band, and this outing was no different.

The two-guitar line-up of Monte Pittman and Cesar Soto commanded each side of the stage with ear-splitting riffs and brought the full wall of sound that Ministry fans expect in their live shows. Original Tool bassist Paul D’Amour joined the band in 2019 and knows a thing or two about delivering a compelling low-end experience. Former Stone Sour drummer Roy Mayorga, along with D’Amour, kept the train steaming along. Keyboardist John Bechdel, who has been in the band since 2006, rounded out the line-up, adding all the otherworldly sounds they’re known for.

The setlist began with five brand-new songs in a row. The new album is arguably one of the best releases that the band has put out in years. Equally supercharged with riffs upon riffs and political banter, the Ministry faithful ate these new tunes up. Jourgensen thanked the crowd for indulging the band’s “musical masturbation” of the new album tracks before heading into the back catalogue. After a couple from Moral Hygiene (2021), they flew back to Psalm 69 (1992) with “N.W.O” and “Just One Fix.” But it wasn’t just the music that captivated the audience; it was Jourgensen’s larger-than-life presence and confrontational charisma that truly made the performance unforgettable. With his wild-eyed stare and manic energy, he prowled the stage like a caged animal, spitting venomous lyrics and unleashing primal screams reverberating like a war cry.

Gone from Jourgensen’s head this time around were the myriad of pierced rings. His signature headband with wild dreads was replaced with a black, wide-brimmed hat covering his straight black hair. He thanked the crowd for their commitment and enthusiasm and commented about his love for our legal marijuana dispensaries. And wondered why he couldn’t smell the goods in the room during the show.  The 75-minute set ended with a couple of encores. It was a full night of iconic artists playing their iconic tunes. And a great way to spend a Saturday night. Catch them all on this tour if you can.

Ministry, Gary Numan & Front Line Assembly @ History (Toronto, ON) on March 16, 2024

77 photos