Ministry  The Squirrely Years Revisited
Al Jourgensen has often been outspoken about his dislike for Ministry’s early synth-pop era, particularly the 1983 debut With Sympathy. For years, he distanced himself from those songs, feeling they didn’t represent his true creative vision. With The Squirrely Years Revisited, released in 2025, Jourgensen has finally reclaimed this chapter of his career — re-recording those tracks with the grit, edge, and authority that would later define Ministry’s industrial-metal dominance.
Concept and Approach
This album reimagines material from With Sympathy, the Twitch era, and classic Wax Trax singles, delivering nine core tracks plus bonus material on certain editions. Rather than completely reinventing the songs, the band keeps their melodic DNA intact while weaving in heavier guitars, darker tones, and modern production values. The result is a hybrid — part new-wave nostalgia, part industrial powerhouse — that feels both familiar and revitalized.
Standout Tracks
“Everyday Is Halloween” remains the definitive goth club anthem, now bolstered with sharper guitar lines and a richer low end that deepens its dancefloor pull.
“Work for Love” kicks off with infectious new-wave energy, but the funk-infused groove now sits on a bed of chunky riffs, giving it a much more commanding presence.
“Revenge” transforms into an arena-ready rocker, with punchy hooks and a muscular production that makes it sound like it was always meant for big stages.
“I’m Not an Effigy” slows things down into a moodier, more brooding direction — its grinding heaviness recalling Ministry’s mid-’90s sludge era.
“We Believe,” “Over the Shoulder,” and “All Day” keep their EBM roots but are retooled with distorted vocals, beefier beats, and a darker, more metallic undercurrent.
Production Quality
One of the most striking aspects of The Squirrely Years Revisited is how good it sounds. The clarity and separation in the mix allow each instrument — from the tight bass lines to the layered synths and guitars — to breathe without losing impact. It avoids the overly compressed sound that can plague modern reissues, offering instead a dynamic, vibrant listening experience.
Reception
Fans who once dismissed the original versions may be surprised by how well these new renditions hold up. There’s a newfound confidence in Jourgensen’s delivery — his vocals are rougher, more lived-in, yet perfectly suited to the music’s darker, heavier tone. For longtime listeners, the album offers a fascinating “what if” scenario: what if Ministry’s early songs had been recorded with the same creative freedom and aggression as their later work?
Not all reactions will be universally glowing — purists may still prefer the icy precision of the originals, and some listeners might miss the unpolished charm of the early ’80s production. But for many, this is a successful reconciliation between past and present, a way to enjoy those songs without the dated gloss that once defined them.
Conclusion
The Squirrely Years Revisited is more than just a nostalgic revisit; it’s a bold reassertion of ownership over a part of Ministry’s history that had long been neglected. By blending the melodic hooks of the early material with the heaviness of later years, Jourgensen has created an album that works as both a love letter to fans and a statement of artistic evolution. It’s a rare case where re-recording old material feels not only justified but essential.
 
 The track listing for Ministry – The Squirrely Years Revisited:
Revenge
Effigy (I’m Not An)
Work for Love
Here We Go
I Wanted to Tell Her
Over the Shoulder
All Day
We Believe
Everyday Is Halloween
I See Red (Bonus Track)
Same Old Madness (Bonus Track)
Game Is Over (Bonus Track)
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Cleopatra US
Format: limited translucent blue marbled vinyl LP
Cat: CLOLP 6749
Released: 24 Jul 25