With Sympathy

In late 1981, Jourgensen was living in Chicago and involved in its underground scene. He began to write and record songs in his apartment, using a newly bought ARP Omni synthesizer, a drum machine and a reel-to-reel tape recorder. At one point, a demo tape featuring the song "I'm Falling" gained the attention of Wax Trax! Records label co-founder and co-owner Jim Nash. Impressed by the demo, Nash offered to record its material professionally and to assemble the touring band, which Jourgensen named Ministry. At Chicago's Hedden West Studios, Jourgensen, with co-producers Jay O'Roarke and Iain Burgess, recorded Ministry's first material, a 12" single featuring the tracks "I'm Falling", "Primental" and "Cold Life".

Jourgensen assembled the band's first live lineup, a five-piece group including Jourgensen on vocals and guitar, bassist Martin Sorenson, keyboardists Robert Roberts and John Davis and drummer Stephen George.{{sfn|Jourgensen|Wiederhorn|2013|pp=49–50}} Jourgensen and Roberts state that Roberts' inclusion in the group occurred because their mutual friend Paul Taylor was ill and unable to join.{{sfn|Jourgensen|Wiederhorn|2013|pp=49–50}}{{cite interview|last=Roberts|first=Robert|url=http://prongs.org/ministry/roberts|title=Session with Roberts|work=Prongs.org|access-date=September 12, 2018}}

While touring the Midwest and the Northeast during 1982, Ministry received some commercial success with "Cold Life."{{Cite book|title=The New Rock'N'Roll|last1=Coupe|first1=Stuart|last2=Baker|first2=Glenn A.|publisher=St. Martin's Press|year=1983|isbn=0312572107|location=New York|pages=[https://archive.org/details/newrocknroll00coup/page/103 103–104]|via=the Internet Archive|url=https://archive.org/details/newrocknroll00coup/page/103}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1990/01/05/building-on-success-4/|title=Building On Success|last=Best|first=David|date=January 5, 1990|work=Chicago Tribune|access-date=August 26, 2018}} The band gained the attention of Arista label executives, who chose to sign them. With Sympathy was recorded in Autumn 1982 with producers Vince Ely and Ian Taylor at the Syncro Sound recording studio in Boston.{{bulleted list|{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5SMEAAAAMBAJ&q=ministry+vince+ely&pg=PT67|title=A Chicago Venue Is Reborn|department=Heartland Beat|last=McCormick|first=Moira|pages=10, 68|magazine=Billboard|volume=94|issue=42|date=October 23, 1982|access-date=February 10, 2018|df=mdy-all|issn=0006-2510|via=Google Books}}|{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8iMEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT57|title=Studio Track|last=Morris|first=Erin|magazine=Billboard|issn=0006-2510|volume=94|issue=49|date=December 11, 1982|access-date=February 10, 2018|df=mdy-all|via=Google Books|page=42}}|{{cite magazine|department=Heartland Beat|last=McCormick|first=Moira|pages=24, 53|title=Genesis Center In Gary Making Steady Progress|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZCQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT52|magazine=Billboard|volume=95|issue=2|date=January 15, 1983|access-date=February 10, 2018|df=mdy-all|issn=0006-2510|via=Google Books}}|{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EyQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT28|title=Studio Track|last=Morris|first=Erin|magazine=Billboard|issn=0006-2510|volume=95|issue=8|page=29|date=February 26, 1983|access-date=February 23, 2018|df=mdy-all|via=Google Books}}}}

{{Music ratings

|rev1 = AllMusic

|rev1score = {{Rating|2.5|5}}{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/with-sympathy-mw0000198158|title=With Sympathy - Ministry|last=Carlson|first=Dean|work=AllMusic|publisher=All Media Network|access-date=February 24, 2018}}

|rev2= Encyclopedia of Popular Music

|rev2Score = {{rating|2|5}}{{cite book|editor-last=Larkin|editor-first=Colin|editor-link=Colin Larkin (writer)|title=Encyclopedia of Popular Music|volume=5|date=1998|edition=3rd|chapter=Ministry|pages=3692–3693|isbn=1561592374|publisher=Muse UK Ltd|via=Internet Archive}}

|rev3 = I-Mockery

|rev3score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}{{cite web|url=http://www.i-mockery.com/weeklies/weekly.php?type=music&id=31|title=Weekly Stoplight - With Sympathy|author=-RoG-|publisher=I-Mockery|date=2008-03-27}}

|rev4=MusicHound Rock

|rev4score={{Rating|2.5|5}}{{Cite encyclopedia|url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781578590612/page/762|title=MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide|last=Christensen|first=Thor|contribution=Ministry|publisher=Visible Ink Press|year=1999|isbn=978-1-57859-061-2|editor-last=Graff|editor-first=Gary|editor-link=Gary Graff|location=Detroit|page=[https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781578590612/page/762 762]|type=loan required|editor-last2=Durchholz|editor-first2=Daniel|via=the Internet Archive}}

|rev5 = Rolling Stone

|rev5score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/ministry/albums/album/132326/review/5942799/with_sympathy|title=Ministry: With Sympathy : Music Reviews|last=Considine|first=J.D.|author-link=J.D. Considine|magazine=Rolling Stone|issue=405|date=1983-09-29|access-date=2012-11-09|df=mdy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071023022115/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/ministry/albums/album/132326/review/5942799/with_sympathy|archive-date=2007-10-23|url-status=dead}}

|rev6=Spin Alternative Record Guide

|rev6Score=3/10{{Cite book|title=Spin Alternative Record Guide|publisher=Vintage Books|year=1995|isbn=0-679-75574-8|location=New York|pages=250–251|editor-last=Weisbard|editor-first=Eric|last=Weisbard|first=Eric|chapter=Ministry|author-link=Eric Weisbard|editor2-last=Marks|editor2-first=Craig}}

}}

On release, With Sympathy received mixed to negative reviews. However, Rolling Stone noted that any lack of originality in the synth-pop concept was "... hardly worth complaining about, because Ministry manages to do something many far more innovative bands neglect: they write catchy dance songs." The review further observed that Jourgensen's singing was "... charged with anger, passion and glee–real emotions instead of the vocal posturing so common in synth-pop." The album achieved commercial success, peaking at number 94 in the Billboard 200 and selling more than 100,000 copies in the U.S. by 2007. The album was promoted with three singles—"Work for Love", "I Wanted to Tell Her" and "Revenge"—and the three-month tour. A music video was made for the single "Revenge." Retrospectively, many Ministry fans still dislike the album, but some people now have defended or even championed it, proclaiming it to be an “underrated” or “misunderstood” album.

Following the tour's completion, Jourgensen's dissatisfaction over his record deal led the band to depart Arista in early 1984. Jourgensen later disowned the album, maintaining that he had been pressured by Arista management into the then-popular synth-pop style, which is in contrast to the harder industrial and heavy metal sounds that he would later develop.{{sfn|Jourgensen|Wiederhorn|2013|pp=51–52}} He compared the experience to that of Milli Vanilli.{{cite web |last1=Acharya |first1=Kiran |title=Revolting Lots: Al Jourgensen's Favourite Ministry Albums |url=https://thequietus.com/articles/20135-al-jourgensen-favourite-ministry-albums-interview?page=14 |website=The Quietus |date=27 April 2016 |access-date=12 June 2020}} Jourgensen has described the album as a "sonic abortion".Wiederhorn, Jon. Ministry: The Lost Gospels According to Al Jourgensen. 2013. He also claims that Arista had prevented songs that he had written in 1982 from appearing on the album; these tracks would eventually appear on The Land of Rape and Honey and Twitch.{{Cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/ministrys-al-jourgensen-once-charged-a-fan-1000-to-sign-with-sympathy|title=Ministry's Al Jourgensen once charged a fan $1000 to sign With Sympathy|date=December 21, 2017|website=Metal Hammer}}

However, according to Ian MacKaye, with whom Jourgensen formed Pailhead, Jourgensen discovered hardcore music after his synth-pop work,{{cite book|last=Azerrad|first=Michael|title=Our Band Could Be Your Life: Scenes from the American Indie Underground|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o7CZRPZ27TQC&q=jourgensen+discovered+hardcore&pg=PT286|date=December 2, 2012|publisher=Little, Brown |isbn=9780316247184}} a statement that Jourgensen repeated in the documentary film Industrial Accident: The Story of Wax Trax! Records.{{citation |last1=Nash |first1=Julia |title=Industrial Accident: The Story of Wax Trax! Records |date=2018}} Former keyboardist Robert Roberts refutes claims that Jourgensen was forced by Arista to "make the record cheesy," saying that the finished product was simply watered down and did not properly capture the band's live sound.{{cite web|title=Session with Roberts|url=http://www.prongs.org/ministry/roberts3|website=prongs.org}} Additionally, video recordings of Ministry concerts in Chicago several years before their signing with Arista show the band playing synth-pop and dressed in new wave and dark wave styles.{{Citation needed|date=November 2020}}

Jourgensen's disdain for the album led him to make a comment that he would only sign the album in exchange for $1000. In an interview with Rolling Stone, he said that a fan presented him with the album for him to sign along with the $1000. Although surprised, he honored his promise and signed the album in exchange for the money. Jourgensen also stated that he donated the money to Rock for Kids, a Chicago based charity event, and should anyone else pay him to sign the album, he would continue to donate the money to Rock for Kids.{{cite magazine | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/ministrys-al-jourgensen-on-new-trump-era-lp-how-pot-changed-his-life-196102/ | title=Ministry's al Jourgensen on New Trump-Era LP, How Pot Changed His Life | magazine=Rolling Stone | date=20 December 2017 }}

Jourgensen assumes a false English accent for all of the songs, for which he later expressed regret.{{cite book|last=Jourgensen|first=Al|title=Ministry: The Lost Gospels According to Al Jourgensen|date=July 9, 2013|publisher=Da Capo Press|isbn=978-0306822186|url=https://archive.org/details/ministrylostgosp00jour}} His ex-wife Patty stated in 2013 that doing so was an homage to bands that he had liked.{{cite web|url=http://www.prongs.org/ministry/interviews/patty_2013|title=Session with Patty Jourgensen|year=2013|work=prongs.org|access-date=2 September 2015}}

Jourgensen has since made peace with the album, saying that "... because of that record I wouldn’t be who I am today. I think without that record, I wouldn't be as much of a fucking maniac douchebag. So I'm thankful for it now."{{cite web |last1=O'Neill |first1=Christina |title=Al Jourgensen: Ministry's first album made me the maniac douchebag I am today |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/al-jourgensen-ministry-s-first-album-made-me-the-maniac-douchebag-i-am-today |website=MetalHammer |date=29 April 2016 |access-date=12 June 2020}}

In June 2023, Jourgensen announced that Ministry would re-record four tracks from With Sympathy: "Revenge", "Effigy", "Work for Love", and "Here We Go". The new versions will be "a lot more guitar-driven, but not metal."{{cite web |publisher=Yahoo! Entertainment |last=Parker |first=Lyndsey |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/ministrys-al-jourgensen-to-rerecord-disavowed-with-sympathy-songs-183544523.html |title=Ministry's Al Jourgensen exclusively reveals plans to re-record long-disavowed 'With Sympathy' songs |date=June 16, 2023 |access-date=June 18, 2023}}

On August 24, 2023, Ministry performed "Revenge" live for the first time since 1984 in Dallas, Texas.{{cite news |url=https://bravewords.com/news/ministry-perform-revenge-from-debut-album-live-for-the-first-time-since-1984-fan-filmed-video-available |title=MINISTRY PERFORM "REVENGE" FROM DEBUT ALBUM LIVE FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1984; FAN-FILMED VIDEO AVAILABLE |publisher=Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles |date=28 August 2023}} The song was performed again in August 27, 2023 in West Palm Beach, Florida.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEwyC_yUbS8 |title=Ministry - Revenge LIVE West Palm Beach, FL 8/27/2023 Freaks On Parade Tour|date=28 August 2023|via=YouTube}}

In December 2023, it was announced that Ministry would be performing at the 2024 Cruel World Festival with a setlist consisting of songs from both With Sympathy and Twitch.{{cite web | url=https://metalinjection.net/tour-dates/ministry-to-play-with-sympathy-twitch-set-at-cruel-world-2024 | title=MINISTRY to Play with Sympathy & Twitch Set at Cruel World 2024 | date=5 December 2023 }} The setlist included "Revenge", "Effigy (I'm Not An)" and "Work for Love", the later two being performed live for the first time since 1984.{{cite web | url=https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/ministry/2024/brookside-park-pasadena-ca-43abefe7.html | title=Ministry Setlist at Cruel World 2024 | website=setlist.fm }}

On March 28, 2025, Ministry released the compilation album The Squirrely Years Revisited through Cleopatra Records. It contains the songs "Revenge", "Effigy (I'm Not An)", "Here We Go", "Work for Love" all re-recorded along with several other songs from non-album singles and 3 songs from Twitch.{{cite news |url=https://ministryband.com/the-squirrely-years |title=The Squirrely Years Revisited

|publisher=Ministry |date=28 March 2025}}{{cite news |url=https://www.theprp.com/2025/03/20/news/hear-ministrys-re-recorded-squirrely-years-version-of-everyday-is-halloween/ |title=Hear Ministry’s Re-Recorded ‘Squirrely Years’ Version Of "Everyday Is Halloween"

|publisher=ThePRP |date=20 March 2025}}

With Sympathy was out of print for many years, and Jourgensen claimed that he had destroyed the master tapes. In 2012, Eastworld Records reissued the album with three bonus tracks.{{Cite news|title=Ministry - With Sympathy |url=http://idealcopy.american-data.net/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=78372225012|publisher=The Ideal Copy}}

"Effigy (I'm Not An)" was used in a scene in HBO's Euphoria, Season 2, Episode 3.

{{track listing

| all_writing = Alain Jourgensen, except "I Wanted to Tell Her" by Jourgensen and Shay Jones

| headline = With Sympathy {{nobold|— Standard edition}}

| title1 = Effigy (I'm Not An)

| length1 = 3:51

| title2 = Revenge

| length2 = 3:48

| title3 = I Wanted to Tell Her

| length3 = 5:29

| title4 = Work for Love

| length4 = 4:44

| title5 = Here We Go

| length5 = 3:21

| title6 = What He Say

| length6 = 4:04

| title7 = Say You're Sorry

| length7 = 4:18

| title8 = Should Have Known Better

| length8 = 4:31

| title9 = She's Got a Cause

| length9 = 3:33

| title10 =

| length10 =

| total_length =

}}

{{track listing

| headline = With Sympathy {{nobold|— 2012 Eastworld re-release (additional tracks)}}

| title10 = I Wanted to Tell Her

| note10 = Extended Mix

| length10 = 7:03

| title11 = Revenge

| note11 = Remix

| length11 = 6:19

| title12 = A Walk in the Park

| length12 = 4:58

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Work for Love {{nobold|– European edition}}

| title1 = Work for Love

| length1 = 4:44

| title2 = Do the Etawa

| length2 = 4:04

| title3 = I Wanted to Tell Her

| length3 = 5:29

| title4 = Say You're Sorry

| length4 = 4:18

| title5 = Here We Go

| length5 = 3:21

| title6 = Effigy (I'm Not An)

| length6 = 3:51

| title7 = Revenge

| length7 = 3:48

| title8 = She's Got a Cause

| length8 = 3:33

| title9 = Should Have Known Better

| length9 = 4:31

}}

• "What He Say" was renamed "Do the Etawa" on the European release.{{Cite magazine |last=Greene |first=Jo-Ann |date=April 2, 1993 |title=Ministry|type=scans |magazine=Goldmine |volume=19 |issue=7 (331)|pages=26, 28, 32, 38, 40|issn=1055-2685|via=Prongs.org archive}}{{Rp|28}}
• The European LP release has the 7" remix of "I Wanted To Tell Her" instead of the U.S. album version. All CD versions use the U.S. album version.

Credits adapted from the liner notes of With Sympathy.{{cite AV media notes|title=With Sympathy|others=Ministry|publisher=Arista Records|year=1983|id=AL 6608}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

• Al Jourgensen - vocals, guitar {{small|(1, 3, 4)}}, keyboards, drums {{small|(8)}}
• Stephen George - drums {{small|(1–7, 9)}}, percussion {{small|(4, 5, 9)}}

• Robert Roberts - keyboards {{small|(2, 3, 4, 9)}}, bass keyboard {{small|(4)}}
• Marybeth O'Hara - vocals {{small|(2, 4)}}
• Shay Jones - feature vocals {{small|(3)}}
• John Davis - keyboards {{small|(3, 4, 9)}}
• Walter Turbitt - guitar {{small|(3)}}
• Martin Sorenson - bass guitar {{small|(3)}}
• Vince Ely - percussion & keyboards {{small|(4)}}
• Antonia de Portago - vocals {{small|(4)}}
• Brad Hallen - bass guitar {{small|(5, 6)}}
• Ministry of Horns - horns {{small|(6)}}
• Ziv Gidron - chanting {{small|(6)}}
• Doreen Chanter - vocals {{small|(7)}}
• Bob Suber - saxophone {{small|(7)}}

{{col-2}}

• Ian Taylor - producer, engineer
• Vince Ely - producer
• David Wooley - engineer
• Flood - engineer
• David Heglmeier - tape operator
• Roger Merritt - tape operator
• Steve Jackson - tape operator
• Greg Calbi - mastering
• Joe Gastwirt - digital remastering {{small|(CD edition)}}

• Steve Berkowitz - manager
• Elliot Roberts - manager

• Alberto Rizzo - photographer
• David Gahr - inner sleeve photographer
• Brian Shanley - cover concepts
• Jim Nash - cover concepts

{{col-end}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

;Album

{{col-2}}

;Singles

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

• {{cite book|last1=Jourgensen|first1=Al|last2=Wiederhorn|first2=Jon|url=https://archive.org/details/ministrylostgosp00jour|title=Ministry: The Lost Gospels According To Al Jourgensen|type=loan required|date=July 9, 2013|location=Boston, MA|publisher=Da Capo Press|name-list-style=amp|isbn=9780306822186|oclc=811206550|via=the Internet Archive}}

• {{Discogs master|7612}}
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3L0q6FQY0Y4 Video for "Revenge"] on YouTube

{{Ministry (band)}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:1983 debut albums

Category:Arista Records albums

Category:Ministry (band) albums