There are songs that define not just an artist, but an entire subculture. For Ministry, "Everyday Is Halloween" is that song. A perennial anthem for the misfit, the outcast, and the unapologetically weird, it’s been cherished since its 1984 release for its darkwave charm and lyrical defiance. Now, nearly four decades later, Al Jourgensen and his camp have unveiled its first-ever official video as part of The Squirrely Years Revisited, and the result is nothing short of amazing.
Visually, the video is a masterclass in marrying nostalgia with modern artistry. Directed with a keen eye for the industrial aesthetic Ministry helped pioneer, it brims with eerie, kaleidoscopic imagery. The highly stylized visuals alternate between shadowy depictions of Jourgensen and bursts of surreal, carnival-esque scenes, evoking a sense of being dragged through a haunted funhouse. It’s striking how the video breathes fresh life into the track’s timeless themes of identity and nonconformity, amplifying its dark exuberance with cinematic flair.
Jourgensen has always been an artist who refuses to stay shackled to a single genre or identity, and this release is yet another testament to his metamorphic career. Once a new wave sensation, he morphed into the godfather of industrial metal while consistently challenging preconceptions. The video feels like a nod to his roots, a reminder of where it all began, while draped in the grit and edge of the icon he’s become. Bottom line, you never know what you are going to get with Uncle Al.
For longtime fans, seeing this beloved classic get such an evocative visual treatment is deeply gratifying, like reconnecting with a long-lost friend. For new listeners, it’s an alluring gateway into Ministry’s rich tapestry of sound and rebellion. Either way, "Everyday Is Halloween" has never burned brighter, proving yet again the song's hauntingly eternal relevance since it's initial needle drop just over 40 years ago.
And for those so inclined, Ministry is once again heading out on tour at the end of April with Nitzer Ebb, My Life With The Thrill Kult, and Die Krupps. This lineup is straight fire, so grab those tickets HERE why you still can. It will be a tour for the ages and one you won't want to miss!
- Matthew Belter
