Ministry’s 17th album, Hate To Go (Take Out Or Delivery), is not just any new album; it marks the end of an industrial era.
For the past 45 years, Ministry has pushed the limits. As singer Al Jourgensen said in an interview, “I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished… It’s been quite a ride, but I’m completely at peace with the fact that it’s done. It’s time to go herd goats.”
Over the last 4.5 decades, the band has changed its lineup many times, but Jourgensen has remained a constant. During that time, Ministry has released 16 previous albums. The band has also appeared on more than 20 movie, television, and video game soundtracks, starting with RoboCop in 1987. Today, the band consists of singer Al Jourgensen, guitarists Monte Pittman and Cesar Soto, bassist Paul D’Amour, drummer Pope Clarke Magña, and synth player John Bechdel. The album also features a track with former member Paul Barker.
Hate To Go (Take Out Or Delivery) opens with the sound of crickets on the appropriately named “Crickets.” The track delivers a clear message to listeners through lyrics such as “embrace the responsibility of inactivity” and “you can either use your voice or lose your voice,” encouraging them to take the country back. The second track, “Voices of Hate,” features faster drumming, with guitar riffs coming in midway through the song. It reminds listeners that their response to fascism and fascist leaders should be to “F**K OFF”
The third track, “Clown Car,” moves further into the fast-paced industrial sound found on some of the band’s previous albums. “We Hate,” the next track, was previously released. Its video drew backlash for its heavy use of artificial intelligence, but the band framed the video as an ironic response to Trump, saying it was necessary to give him “a dose of his own medicine.” “Delete” is a more synth-heavy song, with a message about the overuse of social media and how it has taken over people’s lives. “Grifter,” by contrast, leans further into progressive territory, with a grittier vocal track. The song makes no attempt to hide its messages behind subliminal references; it is clear about what—and whom—it is addressing.
The seventh track, “The White Man Lied,” will not appear on the cassette or vinyl releases. It is far more guitar-heavy, and its overall vibe is vaguely reminiscent of “Bad Things” by Jace Everett, who performed the theme song for the television show True Blood. The track quickly proves to be a very different song, but the comparison still checks out. “Singularity” and “Burned Out” are two additional previously released songs. “Burned Out,” the album’s lead single and first release, touches on the controversial topics fans have come to expect from Ministry.
To close out the album, the band chose “We’re Still Here,” which returns to Ministry’s classic industrial sound with a satisfying flow and a mix of soft and aggressive vocals. It is fitting that this track features Paul Barker. The song takes on a grand-finale feel around the halfway point, with orchestral-sounding elements adding to its scale. It feels like an epic ending for the final shows the band will play. Overall, the album mixes new elements with sounds reminiscent of Psalm 69, the album that helped establish the industrial sound Ministry is still known for.
Hate To Go (Take Out Or Delivery) is out October 30, 2026.
PHOTO BY: Derick Smith
