Ministry return to NZ

Chicago metallers Ministry play the Powerstation on October 6.

At one stage Ministry used to play gigs from behind a cage because things used to get so out of hand at concerts. It's not hard to see why their industrial metal, with songs like Stigmata, So What and Jesus Built My Hotrod, could inspire such lunatic behaviour.

On October 6 we get to sample some of the craziness when the Chicago band, fronted by founder Al Jorgensen, play the Powerstation.

The current Ministry line-up includes Slipknot drummer Joey Jordison and Raven from Killing Joke and Prong.

The last time the band played here was at the Big Day Out in 1996, including a show at the Powerstation the night before.

For a Ministry refresher or to get acquainted check out The Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Taste, Psalm 69, or the live album, In Case You Didn't Feel Like Showing Up.

Dimmer celebrate the release of the new album, There My Dear, with a gig at Auckland's Hopetoun Alpha on September 21, and also at the same venue check out the Phoenix Foundation, with Cassette, on September 9.

Coming up at the Studio on K Rd there's Denver-based rockers the Fray on September 4; 80s British ska band the Beat on September 29; and metal act Killswitch Engage on October 23.

Also at the Studio on September 16 is a double banger - the Asian Music Festival is on from 5pm to 8.30pm and then at 10pm Pharmacy takes us to the dark side.

On the rumour mill there's news that Tool will be headlining the Auckland Big Day Out in January. It makes sense since the American band play Sydney on January 24 and Melbourne on the 31st.

And there's a strong rumours that Prince will tour here at the end of the year.