Post by thesoundmonitor on Sept 25, 2003 5:13:30 GMT -5
KILLING JOKE
Killing Joke
(Sony)
By Warren Wheeler
Perhaps it can be attributed to recent world events, but something has reboiled the blood of Killing Joke 24 years after their first self-titled LP. Thus the forefathers of industrial-rock have returned with an album that is remarkably similar to that now raw classic. The passion and intensity that has been missing from the on-again/off-again act has been revitalized by the reformation of Jaz Coleman, Geordie, Raven and Youth along with resident drum-slut Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters, QOTSA, Probot, etc…).
Tribal rhythms combine with schismatic riffing and Coleman’s diatribes regarding corporate corruption, US imperialism, and the impending apocalypse.
‘Implant’ explores Orwellian predictions of mind-control with frenetic riffs and the lyrical spite of “Implant to the next step/You don’t want to protect/You just want to fucking control”. ‘Total Invasion’ admonishes the US governments use of military might to quash regions at will, while first single ‘Loose Canon’ further preaches Coleman’s vision of returning to primitive resources proclaiming “I’m an urban animal/One step from a cannibal”.
Despite Youth’s own production techniques, the band has employed Andy Gill (The Jesus Lizard, The Mark Of Cain, Regurgitator, Boss Hog) who melds the tribal rhythms with a scratchy-yet-effective guitar sound.
Considering it’s nigh on 10 years since their last album (Democracy), Killing Joke have been able to reform with vigour renewed and passion evident. My fear is that due to it’s self-titled nature and it’s similarity in passion to their first LP, this may very well be the final laugh; completing a full cycle.
Killing Joke
(Sony)
By Warren Wheeler
Perhaps it can be attributed to recent world events, but something has reboiled the blood of Killing Joke 24 years after their first self-titled LP. Thus the forefathers of industrial-rock have returned with an album that is remarkably similar to that now raw classic. The passion and intensity that has been missing from the on-again/off-again act has been revitalized by the reformation of Jaz Coleman, Geordie, Raven and Youth along with resident drum-slut Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters, QOTSA, Probot, etc…).
Tribal rhythms combine with schismatic riffing and Coleman’s diatribes regarding corporate corruption, US imperialism, and the impending apocalypse.
‘Implant’ explores Orwellian predictions of mind-control with frenetic riffs and the lyrical spite of “Implant to the next step/You don’t want to protect/You just want to fucking control”. ‘Total Invasion’ admonishes the US governments use of military might to quash regions at will, while first single ‘Loose Canon’ further preaches Coleman’s vision of returning to primitive resources proclaiming “I’m an urban animal/One step from a cannibal”.
Despite Youth’s own production techniques, the band has employed Andy Gill (The Jesus Lizard, The Mark Of Cain, Regurgitator, Boss Hog) who melds the tribal rhythms with a scratchy-yet-effective guitar sound.
Considering it’s nigh on 10 years since their last album (Democracy), Killing Joke have been able to reform with vigour renewed and passion evident. My fear is that due to it’s self-titled nature and it’s similarity in passion to their first LP, this may very well be the final laugh; completing a full cycle.