Because of vocalist Al Jourgensen’s alcohol problems, Ministry was forced to interrupt then later cancel its performance given this Saturday at the Bataclan in Paris, about 50 minutes into the show. Al Jourgensen was even taken to the hospital. The frontman came on stage rather intoxicated and was nearly unable to move throughout the performance. What a shame for Ministry fans who bought their ticket to, in the end, see the vocalist be painfully escorted off stage by the crew.

Al Jourgensen has reportedly been drinking heavily earlier in the afternoon.

Indeed, our Photo Galery of the show, done by our photographer Julien Perez, depicts an Al Jourgensen who does seem really drunk. On the previous evening, on Friday, we saw Ministry’s performance at the Léz’Arts Scéniques festival in Sélestat and, though the show was great, Al had the empty eyes of someone who, already, wasn’t fully himself. Drinking a bottle of alcohol on stage, the vocalist did however manage to move, even if – assisted by a lot of samples – his voice was sometimes hesitant and his gestures were often vague.

Al Jourgensen has often stated in interviews that he had quit drugs and that he was clean. However, if – as often in the artistic scene – the vocalist has replaced his addiction (to drugs) by another form of addiction (to alcohol), let’s hope that the name chosen for the tour, “Defibrillatour”, won’t appear as a cruel and morbid hint at destiny… In any case, it is sad to notice that the frontman, who has always respected his audience as demonstrated by the time Al spent high-fiving audience members at the end of his show in Sélestat, is still fighting with his old demons.

Consequence : Ministry won’t play tonight at the Rock En Stock (source : Facebook) festival.

Traduction : Stan