As the stunning artwork suggests, this is altogether a darker affair than the previous record, brooding and throbbing from grand opening to curtains with an untouchable style. While the first two tracks could be from a number of KILLING JOKE albums, the unique character of this new work really kicks in on the 3rd, Invocation with it's slow-burn chugging riff and sweeping orchestral backdrop... it's got the lush charm that bears a direct link to Jaz Coleman's classical work outside the band.
Further on down into the thick barrage, Walking with Gods and the wonderfully titled Judas Goat bring this musical apocalypse to dizzy heights. Where KILLING JOKE stand alone is in the fact that none of their peers who still ply their trade are capable of constructions of this quality. I doubt that even the once mighty Public Image Limited ( KILLING JOKE were often mentioned as a sort of understudy at their onset ) could manage anything remotely as creative had they dragged their existence this far.
By their own admission, KILLING JOKE always were the beautiful contradiction - a band of intellectual thugs - so it's no surprise to know that lyrically, it's about as Jaz Coleman as you can get - all impending doom, poetic anarchy and a rallying of the masses against pretty much everything, but even with the wonderfully numbing trademark drone of Geordie Walkers' guitar, there is an over-riding positivity about this - Which has always been the KILLING JOKE formula when it works... expect beautiful music, but not as you know it!
Simply put, this is a masterpiece from master craftsmen and music with soul for those of us who enjoy having our ears pulverised from time to time! - BOZ
ON THE NET:
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Killing Joke
1 comment:
Been into Killing Joke since early eighties and have loved every album from this remarkeble band,was blown away with the 2003 album but this one...wow,it is evrything i espected from the Joker´s and i really think this is their best work to date! how many bands are out there that only get heavier and more relentless with every album,well since Exsremeties album at least,this one is going to last forever in my player!!!
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