Industrial was coming on pretty strong in the late 80s with groups like Ministry and Nine Inch Nails getting some play. Could somebody give me some info on what industrial is, who are some of the key artists in this genre and what are some of the quintessential industrial songs out there?

Here are some artists I came up with:
Ministry
Nine Inch Nails
Front Line Assembly
Front 242
Revolting Cocks
KMFDM
Cabaret Volaire (maybe)

You forgot Skinny Puppy. You can't mention Industrial without Skinny Puppy. :p

"Far too Frail" is a good song of theirs to listen to first, if you haven't heard them before.

I don't know much about industrial except that I really like it. Frontline Assembly is one of my favorites. I have been searching for their song "Virus" but all I can find is a damn remix of it. I have the video on a tape I made in 1989.

I am a big fan of Front 242. Their album Geography is one of my all time favorite Industrial albums.

I also like Nitzer Ebb, even though they got boring after the first two albums.

I am sure Wavey and Xis can add a lot of bands to this thread.