Rumors about Jordison as a session touring drummer have not stopped since Ministry mainman Al Jourgensen spoke to The Gauntlet in October, stating about the band\'s touring line-up:

\"Right now, the Ministry touring band is a whole new band for us. Joey Jordison from Slipknot is playing drums, Paul Raven of Killing Joke is on the bass, and Tommy Victor of Prong is playing guitar.\"

The latter two musicians have also contributed to Ministry\'s upcoming album, \"Rio Grande Blood\", which is slated for release in April 2006 via Jourgensen\'s newly launched 13th Planet label.

Asked what it\'s like to jam with a drummer like Joey Jordison, the Ministry frontman answered:

\"Oh, awesome, it\'s awesome. He knows all the stuff. He grew up on it. It\'s not really necessary [to use two drummers anymore]. This new record has really turned out to be a thrash-o-rama, so we just need one extremely good, fast drummer and I think Joey certainly fits that bill.\"

Ministry\'s MasterBaTour will consist of 60 dates scheduled throughout the U.S. and Canada beginning on May 6, 2006.