It may be impossible to definitively know who invented Industrial Metal, but Al Jourgensen's Ministry has gotta be at the top of the list. Combining the grind of true metal with aggressive and relentless synths, Jourgensen has connected with the disaffected above-the-underground audience propelling Ministry's groundbreaking Industrial music to gold record status. Born in Havana, Cuba, Jourgensen and his family eventually relocated to the United States and settled in Chicago. In 1981 Jourgensen formed Ministry, and released electronic dance singles through the now famous Wax Trax! label. Later, Jourgensen teamed up with fellow producer/bassist/keyboardist Paul Barker, rediscovering his frenetic guitar roots and spraying molten guitar all over 1986's Twitch, 1988's The Land of Rape and Honey, and 1989's The Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Taste. Jourgensen has lent his playing and production talents to a variety of side projects and other artists, including Lard, 1000 Homo DJs, and Revolting Cocks.

View the artist's website: www.ministrymusic.org