Review & Photography by Greg Hamil for MPM
The intimate confines of The Sylvee in Madison, WI on March 10, 2024 were the perfect setting for some of the best industrial rock pioneers to showcase their historical careers, proving that veterans of the genre can still deliver a powerful and pulse pounding live show.
The energy in the room crackled from the start as the crowd, a mix of old-school and newcomers, waited for the stage to come to life. That is when Front Line Assembly emerged, bathed in red and blue lights! The venue erupted as the festivities were under way.
The band, led by the ever-enigmatic Bill Leeb and Rhys Fulber, wasted no time in launching into a blistering set that spanned their career. From the opening song “I.E.D.” to the punishing beats of “Mindphaser” to the haunting melodies of “Virus,” Front Line Assembly delivered their industrial anthems with precision and ferocity. Leeb’s vocals were a perfect blend of aggression and melancholia, perfectly complementing the band’s signature sound.
One of the highlights of the show was the impressive use of visuals. The backdrop pulsed with industrial imagery and cryptic messages, adding another layer of depth to the performance. The lighting design was equally impressive, with strobes and spotlights creating a sense of urgency and chaos that mirrored the music.
The crowd responded with an enthusiastic mosh pit that kept churning throughout the night. Even those unfamiliar with every song couldn’t help but be swept up in the raw energy of the performance.
Front Line Assembly closed out their set with a powerful rendition of “Millenium,” leaving the audience wanting more. This wasn’t just a nostalgia trip; it was a reminder of why Front Line Assembly remains a force to be reckoned with in the industrial music scene.
Front Line Assembly Setlist: I.E.D. – Vigilante – Plasticity – Bio-Mechanic – Deadened – Killing Grounds – Mindphaser – Millennium
Throughout the break, there was a buzz in the air about the performance that had just finished, but also an anticipation that was thick as the nearly capacity room was clearly ready for more.
Gary Numan was next to hit the stage, and as the lights dimmed, the opening chords of “Everything Comes Down to This” sent a jolt through the crowd. Numan, clad in black and bathed in green light, launched into a powerful set that expertly blended new and classic material. Tracks like “Halo” and “The Chosen” showcased the enduring power of his early work, with the crowd singing along to every word.
Numan wasn’t afraid to delve deeper. “Metal” and “Pure” displayed the industrial grit that continues to define his sound, while “Love Hurt Bleed” offered a haunting and introspective moment. The set reached a feverish pitch with “Is This World Not Enough,” the crowd erupting in cheers as the iconic synth line ripped through the venue.
Numan didn’t disappoint with the latter half of the set. Fan favorites like “Cars” and “Haunted” had the entire venue moving, while “Pray for the Pain You Serve” and “My Name is Ruin” resonated with a darker, more ominous energy. The night concluded with the powerful “A Prayer for the Unborn,” leaving the audience energized and nostalgic.
Gary Numan’s performance was a masterclass in electronic music. His vocals were sharp and emotive, his band tight and precise, and the setlist perfectly captured the breadth of his career. It was a performance that proved that Numan remains a vital force in music, a true innovator whose influence continues to inspire generations of musicians and fans alike.
From a photographer’s standpoint, Numan is a great artist to cover. The emotion in his face shines through in every song and the way he moves and contorts his body during the performance makes him a great subject to capture!
Gary Numan Setlist: Everything Comes Down to This – Halo – The Chosen – Metal – Pure – Love Hurt Bleed – Is This World Not Enough – Cars – Haunted – Pray for the Pain You Serve – My Name is Ruin – A Prayer for the Unborn
No matter how well you know Ministry, the crowd at The Sylvee wasn’t prepared for the sonic assault that arrived after the intermission. Ministry, the industrial rock pioneers, were in town on their “HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES” tour, leaving a mosh pit crater and a crowd buzzing with a potent mix of nostalgia and righteous anger.
The setlist was a masterclass in industrial fury. From the opening blast of “B.D.E.” to the closing wail of “The Light Pours Out of Me,” Al Jourgensen and his crew delivered a relentless barrage of pounding drums, grinding guitars, and Jourgensen’s signature snarl. Tracks like “Just Stop Oil” and “Aryan Embarrassment” were stark reminders of the world’s ills, delivered with a sonic middle finger.
Ministry’s classics landed like well-placed punches. “N.W.O.” and “Just One Fix” had the crowd surging forward, fists pumping in a cathartic release. “Stigmata” and “Thieves” proved that even after all these years, Ministry’s early work retains its raw power.
Al Jourgensen himself was a captivating presence. Despite the years, his stage presence remains electrifying. He stalked the stage, a conductor of industrial chaos, his voice a venomous rasp that perfectly complemented the music’s intensity.
When the opening chords of “Jesus Built My Hotrod” ripped through the venue, the entire place erupted. Cesar Soto and Monte Pittman shredded on guitar while Paul D’Amour and Roy Mayorga pounded out the rhythm, all the while being backed on the keyboards by John Bechdol.
Ministry at The Sylvee wasn’t just a concert; it was an experience. Whether you agree with Jourgensen’s politics or not, it was a reminder that even in a world saturated with manufactured pop, there’s still a place for raw, confrontational music. It was a night of head-banging, moshing, and shared anger, a cathartic release in a world sorely needing one.
Ministry Setlist: B.D.E – Just Stop Oil – Goddamn White Trash – Aryan Embarrassment – New Religion – Alert Level – Broken System – N.W.O. – Just One Fix – Stigmata – Thieves – Jesus Built My Hotrod – Burning Inside – The Light Pours Out of Me
