A real underground pearl, still not enough appreciated, but an undisputed underground classic, the self-titled studio debut album by the British Killing Joke was self-produced and released in August, 1980 worldwide under E’G Records. The song “The Wait” was covered by Metallica in 1987 and released on “The $5.98 E.P.: Garage Days Re-Revisited” and “Requiem” was covered by Foo Fighters in 1997 as a b-side to the “Everlong” single. Finding modest commercial success, Killing Joke have influenced many later bands, such as Nirvana, Ministry, Amen, Lamb of God, Nine Inch Nails, Porcupine Tree, Napalm Death, Behemoth, Amebix, Big Black, Opeth, Murderdolls, Godflesh, Dead by April, Tool, Prong, Metallica, Franz Ferdinand, Primus, Jane’s Addiction, Soundgarden, Foo Fighters, Faith No More, Blacklist, Shihad, Pitchshifter, Das Oath, Rammstein and Korn, and gained a cult status with their industrial metal among critics and both fans of post punk and heavy metal.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f42MLoLbnnQ&w=540&h=435]
“Killing Joke” reached number 39 on the UK Albums Chart in 1980 and have three singles: “Wardance”, “Change” and “Requiem”.
Track list (for the original UK release)
Side one
01. Requiem
02. Wardance
03. Tomorrow’s World
04. Bloodsport
Side two
05. The Wait
06. Complications
07. S.O.36
08. Primitive
“Big” Paul Ferguson was drummer in the Matt Stagger Band when he met Jeremy “Jaz” Coleman (from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire) in Notting Hill, London. In October 1978 (or early 1979), after Coleman was briefly keyboard player in that band, he and Ferguson left to form Killing Joke. They placed an advertisement in the music press which attracted guitarist Kevin “Geordie” Walker and bassist Martin “Youth” Glover.
Killing Joke find the perfect balance between (post) punk and new wave, rock and roll and industrial, they sound incorporated everything from Sex Pistols to Joy Division and from Pink Floyd down to the dark and cutting riffs of Black Sabbath and delivered their unique blending of music and settled new standards.
A key album in the rise of thrash and industrial based metal music, “Killing Joke” stands up for a new age.
Enjoy the apocalypse.
Killing Joke – Official Site
Killing Joke – Extensive KJ resource and fan site
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrV7BtTXq5g&w=540&h=435]
