KILLING JOKE — Killing Joke (Debut) (review)

KILLING JOKE — Killing Joke (Debut) album cover Album · 1980 · Non-Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
UMUR
"Killing Joke" is the eponymously titled debut full-length studio album by UK post-punk/industrial rock act Killing Joke. The album was released through E.G. Records in October 1980. It was preceded by the October 1979 EP "Turn to Red/Almost Red". The material on the album was pretty much recorded "live in the studio", with very few overdubs.

Although there haven´t been any lineup changes between the 1979 EP and this release, there have been great stylistic alterations. While "Turn to Red/Almost Red (1979)" featured a sort of odd experimental new wave style, "Killing Joke" is much darker, hard-edged, and raw. It´s grim, bleak, and industrial tinged post-punk featuring lyrics full of despair about the state of the world we live in. Although this is not heavy metal in any shape or form, it´s obvious why many heavy metal and hard rock artists have either covered Killing Joke (the most famous probably being Metallica who covered "The Wait" from this album) or cite them as an influence on their music.

The tracks feature a restless energy, repetitive hard-edged riffs, almost tribal influenced rhythms, and Jaz Coleman´s distinct sounding voice on top. There is use of keyboards/synths but they are not omnipresent and sporadic use is a better description of their place in the soundscape. The album features a raw sounding production, which suits the raw nature of the material well. Although it´s predominantly a pretty bleak album and the repetitive nature of the tracks leave little room for hooks, there are some melodic moments on the album. A vocal hookline, a memorable riff/rhythm, an instrumental guitar/keyboard motif, which are often a light in the dark (or at least a slightly less bleak breather).

With time this has become an iconic release and it is indeed a rather original sounding album by an innovative young act. They would soon depart from the rawness of this release and venture into more melodic new wave territory, but by the end of the 80s they went back to the roots and this debut album is pretty much the blueprint of most of their output (save for the mid-to late eighties albums). A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.
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