Paul Barker on Ministry's 'Land of Rape and Honey' at 30

Paul Barker hasn't been a part of the Ministry for over a decade and hasn't given an in-depth interview about the pioneering industrial-metal group in almost as many years. However, with Ministry celebrating the 30th anniversary of their seminal album 'The Land of Rape and Honey' with a video series featuring key band members, Barker sat down in front of the camera to share his recollections. As for rumors of any remaining bad blood between him and Al Jourgensen, he says, "I'm happy to be involved ... not bitter in any way."

[jack_rabbit]

ministry has just never been the same without you paul.

[williamkjwilliamkj]

Ministry was one of the bands that inspired me to attempt to learn how to play drums and be creative. Thank you for that Paul. RIP Bill Rieflin.

[johntoughlove]

"You know What You Are" is the song that made me realize you don't need guitar to be heavy AF!

[herrent]

Saw Ministry when this album came out at The Channel in Boston .

Met Paul and Al Several times in the years that followed. Paul was always super friendly. He is a great musician and creative force.

The best Ministry and Revco albums involved Paul.

[jamesdyson]

Who doesn't like Paul Barker ? One of the best musicians of the late 20th Century and into The Future !

[johnbmadwis]

Saw you guys, must have been '87, at Exit(?) in Chicago playing Twitch. The relentless, throbbing, propulsive percussion and dark bass was just incredible. Still remember it vividly and still am blown away by Crash and Burn. A song that is 99% percussive. Like a Steven Riech but with programmed percussion.. The coolest thing is that now, what, 30 years later, you and Al are these super thoughtful, decent guys. Feel like there was a thing happening and I was part of it. Now I'm a suburban dad who is heartened that my teens are discovering and appreciating all that great, hard, difficult, challenging, music I experienced. Thanks. Twice.

[NachtSchreck]

Land Of Rape And Honey is one of the greatest albums ever recorded. Paul Barker is the man. The real creative force behind Ministry from LORAH onwards. He was the glue that kept that collective going.

[biancachristie]

Aw, Paul . . . You were always my favorite. And you still are ❤️

[SingularityMedia]

The real talent behind ministry. Come back please Paul so Ministry can stop sucking.

[YvogaAZ]

I love "You know what you are" too!! I love the whole album!

[rleeroberts]

YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE IS ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVES.

[Misanola]

Al likes to shit on Paul, Bill, and Chris, but they were only present on the groundbreaking albums.

[cimerians]

Please post more Ministry interviews...such an inspirational band and all its side projects. Pailhead, Revco etc

[Beckonor]

It was a transitional record. Mind is a Terrible thing to taste was their first Industrial Metal record. THe Land of Rape and Honey was their transition from the industrial dance material from previous albums and into the heavier material that they would be later know for. The perfect description for it would be "Hard Industrial". Another "Hard Industrial" record is "Slab!" -
"Descension" (1987)

[respobabs]

gotta love the closing lines, "and i'm not bitter in any way"

[jasonguinn]

The best albums of Ministry were with Paul Barker. He needs to come back for one final album if Ministry is wrapping up.

[annak]

Great interview! The Land of Rape and Honey hit me between the eyes and ushered in a much more nuanced appreciation of music for me. It still has a dangerous, dark vibe to it and that is part of why I loved it then and love it now.

[amc]

I was a deep-down, post-punk Bauhausian. It is from going to the under-age alt clubs in Philadelphia that my experience with Ministry’s LORAH would take place. Whatever song was played from that album would elevate the whole experience to another, more aggressive level. It had all the darkness and new-ness of the whole scene, but with a far higher level of danceability and oomph that the scene had up to date.

[soonerfanjim]

The albums stopped being great after Paul and Bill were no longer in the band.

[williamhollaway]

Thats amazing they recorded land at CRASS studio the best anarco punk band ever