Meshuggah

Ministry, the headlining act on this date, plans to disband following its current tour, and that's probably just as well: Cover Up, a just-released disc filled with new versions of classic rock songs such as "Lay Lady Lay," feels unimaginative and unnecessary. On the other hand, opening act Meshuggah, which has been around for nearly as long as Ministry — both date from the '80s — seems as vicious and vital as ever. The group's latest CD, obZen, is typically fierce, with vocalist Jens Kidman wailing passionately over immense backdrops created by guitarists Mårten Hagström and Fredrik Thordenthal, bassist Dick Lövgren and drummer Tomas Haake. Throughout, the players exhibit the sort of impeccable technical skills that make guitar-school grads froth, yet they never sacrifice passion for flash on "Bleed," "Pineal Gland Optics" and the other freshly penned ragers. While Ministry's end is near, Meshuggah (also joined by Hemlock) still has plenty of life left in it.