People often say that there’s a fine line between genius and insanity. Nowhere is this more true than in the case of Ministry frontman Al Jourgensen who seems to have developed a talent for crossing that line. As the father of industrial metal, Al is the creative force behind the bands Ministry, the Revolting Cocks, and the groundbreaking albums “The Land of Rape and Honey” and “The Mind Is a Terrible Thing To Taste” as well as numerous other projects. In his new book, “Ministry: The Lost Gospels According to Al Jourgensen,” Al takes us on an exciting journey through his career in the music industry as he truly tells it all; the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Jourgensen’s tale is funny, frightening, and oftentimes disturbing as he offers frank accounts of the business side of the industry, his wild life on the road, and his personal battles with drug and alcohol abuse. Readers will be both amused at his crazy drug induced antics, like the time he shoved the majority of a deli tray into an unlikely orifice to scare Metallica out of his dressing room, and shocked at his near brushes with death.
Along the way, Al surrounds himself with interesting people as crazy as himself like Dead Kennedys’ frontman Jello Biafra, Timothy Leary, and Gibby Haynes. The chapters are broken up by interviews with some of these extraordinary people that have played such a huge part in Jourgensen’s life, most notably his wife Angie and his dear friend and longtime Ministry guitarist, the late Mike Scaccia. It’s these interpersonal relationships that humanize Al and show his softer side. Despite the craziness, we can see the true Al Jourgensen, a kind and caring soul.
So often people think of the music industry as all glitz and glamour and that is usually very far from the truth. If you want to read about excess, sex, drugs, and trashing hotel rooms, you’ll find it here. But it’s truly the other side of the coin that sets this book apart from the rest. Al’s candid truth about his struggles with finances, addictions, and losing those close to him are not to be missed. You don’t have to be a Ministry fan to enjoy this book. By the end of it, you’ll get a clear picture of who Al Jourgensen is and you’ll be rooting for him and his ability to overcome no matter the circumstances.
So is it genius or insanity? I don’t know, perhaps a little of both. You’ll have to pick up a copy of the book and answer that question for yourself. Either way, you’re in for a very interesting read.
