On July 28th in Paris, Ministry was forced to cut its set short after frontman Al Jourgensen appeared to be having physical difficulties on stage. Fifty minutes into the set, Jourgensen left the stage and was rushed to the hospital to be treated for his issues, leaving many in bewilderment about what was actually happening.
Shortly following this event, the Ministry’s management released the following statement:
“[On Saturday] July 28, 2012 [in] Paris [France at] 9:05 p.m. MINISTRY frontman Al Jourgensen collapsed onstage during the live MINISTRY performance and was rushed to hospital via ambulance where he was examined by numerous physicians and diagnosed to have had a full-system collapse due to extreme dehydration and heat exhaustion intensified by the lack of ventilation on stage at the venue. Doctors confirm via blood tests conducted that Jourgensen’s alcohol blood levels were well below normal and no narcotics were found in his system.
“As a result, MINISTRY has cancelled today’s appearance at the L’Etaples, France Rock En Stock festival in order to allow Mr. Jourgensen a few days rest to recuperate and receive additional medical attention in Switzerland. Jourgensen fully intends to complete the remaining shows on the MINISTRY ‘DeFiBriLlaTouR’ European leg.
“Jourgensen extends his most sincere apologies to his devoted Parisian fans who displayed so much love, respect and concern for him before and after the MINISTRY show.”
Commenting on the incident himself, Jourgensen has stated “I will make it up to you, somehow. I love Paris, I love the Parisian people. I’m so sorry… but shit happens and the shit hit the fan for me last night.”
In March of 2012, Ministry released “Relapse” after a three year hiatus, during which the band was supposedly broken up and disbanded. Jourgensen is well-known for his past bouts with substance abuse, as well as alcoholism, and had commented to Metal Hammer magazine in 2011 that he spent much of the year with doctors and specialists after vomiting blood and dying in the Intensive Care Unit of a hospital. As it turns out, he was suffering from numerous burst ulcers spread throughout his stomach, esophagus, and intestines.
Ministry’s recent album was recorded at Jourgensen’s studio with longtime guitarist Mike Scaccia (Rigor Mortis) along with Casey Orr (Rigor Mortis, ex-GWAR), Tony Campos (Static-X, Soulfly), and Tommy Victor (Prong).
