While Ministry is mid-way through their current North American tour, frontman Al Jourgensen, together with LA-based Beauty in Chaos, have unveiled their new video for “20th Century Boy.” This is one of 14 brilliant tracks found on the debut album Finding Beauty in Chaos.
This album, which was released via the LA-based label 33.3 Music Collective on vinyl and CD on November 30, features nearly 80 minutes of music, curated by guitarist Michael Ciravolo on deluxe CD and limited-edition heavy weight, colored vinyl.
“The Beauty in Chaos project is a tribute to both community and family and what I think is lacking in the music industry these days. It’s an honor to be a part of this great line up! At 60, I never thought I’d be singing ‘I’m your Boy, I’m your fucking Toy,’ but maybe all the AARP discounts are helping me stay young,” says Al Jourgensen.
Born of frustration and creativity, this project an audio assemblage curated by LA-based guitarist Michael Ciravolo and produced by Ministry’s Grammy-nominated producer Michael Rozon at Ciravolo’s own SAINTinLA Studio.
Originally from New Orleans and now based in LA, Michael Ciravolo has played guitar in Human Drama for the past 30 years, most recently on “Broken Songs for Broken People” (2017). Perhaps best known as President of Schecter Guitar Research, he has also played live and recorded with Michael Aston’s Gene Loves Jezebel since 1998.
The debut album Finding Beauty in Chaos also numerous other music luminaries, including Wayne Hussey (The Mission), Simon Gallup (The Cure), Robin Zander (Cheap Trick), Pete Parada (The Offspring), dUg Pinnick (Kings X), ICE-T (Body Count), and many more.
“I initially met Al while we were recording his vocals for this song, and our shared interest in Jaguar cars and old country music (and wine) sparked a wonderful friendship. He offered me the opportunity to engineer and mix the last Ministry record Amerikkkant. Quite an honor for me as I view Al as a true architect of sound. We are on track to record the new Ministry record in February 2019,” says Michael Rozon.
Earlier the band previewed the singles “Man of Faith” feat. Wayne Hussey of The Mission and Simon Gallup of The Cure, as well as “Storm” feat. Ashton Nyte (The Awakening, MGT) and “Look Up” feat. Tish Ciravolo.
The video for “20th Century Boy” was produced by Industrialism Films and directed by Vicente Cordero, who says, “Working again with Beauty In Chaos and Michael is always a pleasant adventure. Out of the 3 videos we have done, each has been a completely different visual approach specifically designed for each song. When we made the video we wanted to go with a raw feel so we decided to film in a seedy bar and have a high energy performance, and Al Jourgensen and BIC did deliver.”
“This was a song I always wanted to cover, and finding out Al was also a T. Rex fan turned on the light for me to do this,” explains Michael Ciravolo. “Ironically, my now wife Tish and I’s first real date was seeing MINISTRY at Lollapalooza in ’92. They were simply brutal and what a sonic assault! We both became big fans. Fast-forward 25 years and Al is sitting in my studio singing and blowing harp on this song! Tish and I sharing the stage with him in this video was pretty special and it shows that you never know where life will take you.”
‘Finding Beauty in Chaos’ is available on CD and digitally, including on iTunes, Spotify and Bandcamp. CDs and vinyl can be ordered from the Beauty in Chaos website.
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