SPILL LIVE REVIEW: MINISTRY w/ MY LIFE WITH THE THRILL KILL KULT & DIE KRUPPS @ PALACE THEATRE, SAINT PAUL (MN)

MINISTRY w/ MY LIFE WITH THE THRILL KILL KULT & DIE KRUPPS

@ PALACE THEATRE, SAINT PAUL (MN)

MAY 20, 2025

In the late 70s and early 80s, synth pop was becoming an prominent music genre. In 1983, With Sympathy was released followed by Twitch in 1986 by none other than Ministry. Wait, the industrial pioneers known as Ministry? Yes!

The Squirrely Years Tour shares its title with the recent released compilation album consisting of some of Ministry’s earliest material. The tour has already conquered major markets in the U.S. with supporting Chicago-based electronic/industrial act My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult and Germany’s legendary industrial group Die Krupps. The nostalgia hits hard with this tour, so it was appropriate for this show to be held at the historic Palace Theater in Saint Paul, MN. Dating from 1916, this old theatre was renovated in the past 10 years to become a live music venue.

Die Krupps started the show. Their approximate half hour set was an energetic display of some of their most popular songs. They began with “Nazis aug Speed”.  Vocalist Jürgen Engler slowly paced the stage, arms stretching wide and often pointing at the crowd. The bright flashing lights reflected off his sunglasses and illuminated his smile. “Fatherland” featured a unique instrument: a stahlophon, which I can best describe as an industrial looking xylophone, but with round metal tubes. It gave their live performance that extra industrial “oomph.”  Engler struck it as if he was a blacksmith working with an anvil. Guitarist Dylan Smith was on the move from one side of the stage to the other, leaning off the stage towards the crowd while drummer Paul Keller kept the beat going that everyone could feel in their chest. Ralf Dörper on synthesisers helped keep the crowd bobbing their heads and moving to their industrial metal infused set.

My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult had a lively set that got the crowd moving even more. The size of the crowd was comfortable, giving people the ability to move and react to the music freely. Their eclectic mix of funk, rock, and disco vibes with B movie spoken word samples drenched in an occult theme provided a lighthearted “dance party” atmosphere with a lot of toe tapping, head bobbing and plenty of appreciative applause throughout their set. Singer Groovie Mann brought the swagger, bassist Mimi Star brought the bass driven groove while Buzz McCoy fueled the performance with his synthesizer, and drummer Justin Thyme tied it all together. Throw in a well-choreographed light show and it proved to be one captivating performance. Songs included fan favourites “A Daisy Chain 4 Satan”, “The Days of Swine & Roses”, and “Sex on Wheels”.

Ministry took the stage, the crowd in curious anticipation. Understandably so, because based on my research, they haven’t played any of their early material since the 80s. To commemorate, band members vocalist “Uncle Al” Jourgensen, keyboardist John Bechdel, guitarist Monte Pittman and bassist Paul D’Amour were adorned in sequined jackets. Back up singers/dancers wearing tight black clothing accompanied them on stage. The cross podium, a staple for many Ministry shows, was covered in artificial roses.

A round of applause welcomed them as they began “Work for Love”.  Jourgensen casually walked along the stage, leaning and peering out into the crowd as he sang. To complement his sequined jacket, he wore a big fuzzy black hat and white heart shaped sunglasses. He helped navigate through the setlist, giving the year that each song was released. The energy from the entire band was just as intense as any of their heavy industrial performances, flawlessly sailing through songs “I’ll Do Anything For You”, “We Believe”, and “I’m Not An Effigy”.  In Ministry fashion, the stage backdrop had changing projected graphics ranging from clips of political figures to animated dancing skeletons.

The lobby and merch tables were deserted during their entire set because everyone wanted to be a part of the experience.  “Everyday Is Halloween” got the crowd really excited. For a majority of the night, most of the cell phones were put away, but this song was the exception.

Afterwards, the band left the stage, but the crowd barely moved and waited patiently for an encore. Many fans started clapping in unison in eager encouragement.

The band took the stage one last time, with a surprise encore of Revolting Cock’s “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?” which was the cherry on top of a great nostalgic night.

(Photography by Trista Whitman)

Ministry Photos

My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult Photos

Die Krupps Photos

Ministry Links

My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult Links

Die Krupps Links