In the late-‘80s, Al Jourgensen and Paul Barker of Ministry basically invented the aggro-industrial sound that Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails would later take to the bank. Both 1988’s “The Land of Rape and Honey” and the following year’s “The Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Taste” are pummeling, riff-happy masterpieces of the genre.

Following a wildly prolific early-‘90s period — their countless side projects included RevCo, Lard, 1000 ##### DJs, Pailhead, Lead Into Gold and PTP — the band pretty much crashed and burned with a succession of increasingly sallow efforts throughout the rest of the decade and beyond.

But 2004’s “Houses of the Mole” was a bludgeoning return to form, again capturing the explosive energy of the unlikely clash between heavy metal and dance music.

We’re hoping the new “Rio Grande Blood” (released a couple of weeks ago) will keep the comeback going. If “Lies Lies Lies” (is that a classic Ministry title or what?) is any indication, it should be an inspired collection.

If nothing else, these guys are always good for an anarchic live show, especially when their industrial-prankster alter-ego RevCo also on the bill. (That’s right, two sets in one night; there are plenty of disparaging labels you can apply to the members of Ministry, but “slacker” isn’t among them.) You can catch ‘em on July 11 at Jannus Landing in St. Pete.

A track from the new Ministry CD, courtesy of Megaforce Records:

Ministry: “Lies Lies Lies” from “Rio Grande Blood” [mp3]