Live Review: Ministry with Nitzer Ebb and Die Krupps at The Eastern in Atlanta, 5/6/25

You could say industrial metal kings Ministry have skeletons in their closet. Who doesn’t. But this band’s history is borderline shameful, even squirrely, to it’s leader “Uncle” Al Jourgensen. That’s because the Cuban-born leader of the band began his musical career playing synth-pop. If you look up “squirrely,” you’ll find the meaning falling somewhere between “odd, eccentric” and “morally dubious or questionable.” We feel you, Al. But the fans did not hear it that way. In fact, the crowd was into it.

Kicking off the set was, dare we say it, the semi-poppy, disco-tinged “Work For Love.” In March, the band released The Squirrely Years Revisited, a collection of recordings from the early days, and fans are eating it up. The 14-song set was filled with some of the band’s most well-known tunes, along with a handful of others. Most of the set was populated with songs from Twitch, With Sympathy, and Trax! Box. One of the band’s signature tunes, “Every Day is Halloween,” was a barnburner.

Jourgensen’s style has not changed, with an abundancy of Goth over- (and under-) tones, the singer is a singular presence. His voice still resonates as it has for the past four decades and the musicians were very tight. Known to cover a band or two (check out their cover of the AC/DC monster anthem “Thunderstruck“), the sole encore song was Fad Gadget cover “Ricky’s Hand,” that group’s second single from 1980.

As Ministry continues on their North American tour, My Life With the Thrill Kill Cult will be added to some shows. Look for them in the following cities here, and check out The Squirrely Years now.

For fans of the genre, this was a three-for-one ticket. On deck was Britain’s Nitzer Ebb, known for their EBM (Electronic Body Music)/industrial dance/electronic sound which lit up the stage. A one-time quintet in the 80s, the band is now a duo, consisting of lead vocalist Bon Harris on vocals (stepping in for the ailing Douglas McCarthy) and David Gooday who provides the beats with his Roland vintage analog and modular synthesizers. Gooday took to the stage first, standing slightly in the background and blasting the opening song “Control I’m Here.” Harris danced onto the stage with arms outstretched as he gave the crowd an air hug declaring, “I’m here!” It was a set filled with the best of the Ebb, and Harris frolicked around the stage like he was 21 again.

Songs “Hearts and Minds,” “Lightning Man,” and “Join in the Chant” were also on the menu this evening. Harris did his part, but the heavy lifting was clearly on Harris’s shoulders. Wearing all black with a muscle shirt, sunglasses, and a shaved head, he may have been mistaken for Pitbull on the streets of Atlanta.

Hailing from Düsseldorf, Die Krupps was in the hole as the night’s opener. The German quartet led the charge with opening song “Nazis auf Speed,” translated to “Nazies on Speed.” The band has repeatedly reiterated they are not Nazi sympathizers, but staunch opposers to racism and fascism. Lead singer Jürgen Engler ruled the stage, staring down fans while flashing a mischievious smile, his growling voice at once intimidating and empowering.

The band has released 10 studio albums since 1981, and still produce a gritty industrial vibe. Along with Engler is Ralf Dörper on keyboards and synthesizers, Dylan Smith on guitar, and drummer Paul Keller. Like Nitzer Ebb and Ministry, Die Krupps also enjoy a cover song now and then. Their newest single, a cover of Neil Young‘s “Cinnamon Girl,” was dropped just last month with the L.A.-based numetal band Cinnamon Babe. While this interesting new track was not performed tonight, the band did play their version of Visage’s “Der Amboss,” with its infectious beat and mesmerizing synths.

The seven-song set was over too soon, but fans were inspired for an evening of industrial magic. One of the newer venues in Atlanta, The Eastern has become a favorite venue located near Cabbagetown and the musical hub of East Atlanta Village. Fans left with a t-shirt or two, ringing ears, and a big smile.

Check the bands’ websites for new releases and tour info: Ministry, Nitzer Ebb, Die Krupps. Check out setlists and playlists below.

#industrialmusic and #synthpop (unlikely bedfellows)