With Sympathy is the debut studio album by American industrial band Ministry, released on May 10, 1983, by Arista Records.

[2] The group was formed in 1981 by lead singer and multi-instrumentalist Al Jourgensen, with drummer Stephen George being the most notable member of its initial lineup.

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".

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.

"[11] 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."

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.

"[23] In June 2023, Jourgensen announced that Ministry would re-record four tracks from With Sympathy: "Revenge", "Effigy", "Work for Love", and "Here We Go".

[26] In December of 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.