| Please improve the article by adding references.See the talk page for details.This article is about the musical group.For for other uses, see The Killing Joke.Founding members Jeremy "Jaz" Coleman (vocal, keyboards and arrangements) and Geordie Walker (guitars) have been the only constant members.Killing Joke's music typically consists of metallic guitars and heavy, tribal, and danceable rhythms.Killing Joke influenced many later bands, such as Nirvana, Ministry, Nine Inch Nails, Napalm Death, Big Black, Prong, Metallica, Jane's Addiction, Soundgarden, Foo Fighters, Econoline Crush, Faith No More and Korn, all of whom have at some point cited some debt of gratitude to 'The Joke'.In early 1979, after Coleman was briefly keyboard player in that band, he and Ferguson defected to form Killing Joke with Geordie and bassist Martin "Youth" Glover.According to Coleman, their manifesto was to "define the exquisite beauty of the atomic age in terms of style, sound and form".Cover of Killing Joke's eponymous debut in 1980.In late 1979, they began the Malicious Damage record label with graphic artist Mike Coles as a way to press and sell their music; Island Records distributed the records, until Malicious Damage switched to E.Turn To Red' EP came to the attention of legendary DJ John Peel, who was keen to champion the band's urgent new sound and gave them extensive airplay.They quickly progressed this sound into something denser, more aggressive, and more akin to heavy metal, as heard on their first two albums, Killing Joke (1980) and the more abrasive What's THIS For...!They toured extensively throughout the UK during this time, and both fans of post punk and heavy metal took interest in Killing Joke through singles such as "Follow the Leaders" (1981).Killing Joke became notorious largely due to the controversies that arose from their imagery.One promotion poster featured a photo of a priest walking among rows of soldiers offering Fascist salutes, which was later used for the cover of the band's compilation album, Laugh?At the same time, some journalists were suspicious about Killing Joke's image and wrote that "Killing Joke's music includes certain fascist tendencies...".By 1982, members of Killing Joke, especially Coleman, had become immersed in the occult, particularly the works of occultist Aleister Crowley.In February of that year, Coleman, with Geordie and Youth following shortly after, relocated to Iceland to survive the Apocalypse, which Coleman predicted was coming soon.After spending some time in Iceland, Killing Joke returned to England and began touring and recording again.Killing Joke's fourth album, Fire Dances (1983), contained music that, like that heard on the "Birds Of A Feather" single, was artier and relatively calmer than before, which began a new direction.Mixing their sound with a slightly pop style, and with Coleman singing and not growling, Killing Joke had developed a variation of new wave on their fifth album, Night Time (1985).Night Time was also supported with singles for "Eighties" (1984), "Kings and Queens" (1985) and "Love Like Blood (Gestalt mix)" (1985), which all reached the UK Top 75.Lead singer Jaz Coleman dominates the cover of Killing Joke's 1986 release Brighter than a Thousand Suns.The music on Killing Joke's sixth album, Brighter than a Thousand Suns (1986), was mostly similar in sound and mood to "Love like Blood".The project ran way over budget and so, despite Coleman's objections, the record company decided that the music would be released under the name "Killing Joke" in order to best recoup the costs.Attempts were made to include Killing Joke rhythm section members Raven and Ferguson, but it didn't work out and tensions ultimately led to both being fired from the band.Killing Joke, being built around Coleman's orchestral keyboards instead of Geordie's distinctive guitar riffs.Walker" (as the cover graphic implies) it might have been better received.Released as "Killing Joke" however, it was panned by confused critics and fans alike.Two singles, "America" and "My Love Of This Land", were released from the album but did little to improve its fortunes.No live dates were played to support the album and the band spent much of 1988 in a legal battle as they tried to split from their management and record company, E.Outside the Gate album, touching on numerology and the occult.Geordie and percussionist Jeff Scantlebury provided a minimal musical backing at the event.Eventually the band settled on Welsh bass player Dave "Taif" Ball, and played their first gigs in almost two years in December 1988.However, for reasons which remain unclear, the German Killing Joke sessions were scrapped and bass player Taif left the band to be replaced by old hand Paul Raven.It included some of the heaviest, noisiest and harshest music ever to appear on a Killing Joke record, although the progressive musical spirit of the previous two albums remained as well.The many highlights included "Solitude", "Slipstream", "Age of Greed" and the single "Money Is Not Our God".Coleman emigrated to New Zealand to live on a remote Pacific island, and it looked like Killing Joke was over for good.Killing Joke anthology, Laugh?Youth, who suggested that they reform the band with himself back on bass.That same year two singles (on cassette and CD) appeared featuring the early songs "Change" and "Wardance" in several new versions remixed by Youth, by then a very successful producer.Pandemonium (1994) wove a metallesque ritualistic sound with mosh beats and loops and provided Killing Joke with a memorable Top of the Pops performance for the single 'Millennium', which was a UK Top 30 hit.Democracy and XXV Gathering (live).Coleman had produced the 1993 debut album Churn by the New Zealand Band Shihad and Shihad drummer Tom Larkin played drums on some of the songs on Pandemonium.Killing Joke also sued Nirvana during this phase, alleging that the riff for the latter's song "Come as You Are" was copied from the riff for their song "Eighties".After the Democracy tour the band went on an extended hiatus.Residence for New Zealand and Czech symphony orchestras.The album was their heaviest to date and spawned two singles, "Loose Cannon" and "Seeing Red".Gill, although Raven's name is also on the list of musicians on the liner notes, marking his return to the band after more than a decade.DVD and CD recordings from these concerts were released in on Cooking Vinyl in the fall of 2005 as XXV Gathering: The Band That Preys Together Stays Together.In June 2005 remastered and expanded editions of their two 1990s Butterfly Recordings albums, Pandemonium and Democracy, were released by Cooking Vinyl.These were followed in July by their first four albums (Killing Joke to Ha!EMI, who by then owned the E.January 2008, with Brighter Than a Thousand Suns featuring the original track mixes by album producer Chris Kimsey, rather than the Julian Mendelson remixes which have appeared on all previous issues.Coleman had been working there for a few years on classical and traditional music projects and it had come to be Killing Joke's de facto base.The result was Hosannas from the Basements of Hell, released in April 2006 on Cooking Vinyl.Killing Joke began a European tour in support of the album in April 2006.However, bass player Paul Raven abruptly departed after a few dates to tour with Ministry and was temporarily replaced by Kneill Brown.Other highlights of the summer included a memorable set in Japan at the Fuji Rock festival where there were joined on stage by Orb frontman Alex Paterson (once a Killing Joke drum roadie) and headlining the Beautiful Days festival in the UK.The band's momentum suffered another blow however, when health problems caused the autumn leg of the tour to be cancelled.In October 2006 it was announced that Coleman had been chosen as Composer in Residence for the European Union.As Composer in Residence he will be commissioned to write music for special occasions.Early in 2007 Killing Joke released three archival collections via Candlelight Records.Astoria gig from the "Pandemonium" tour which was voted one of the greatest gigs of all time by Kerrang.EMI reissues will be released at the start of 2008, completing the Killing Joke reissue series.On October 20th, Raven died of heart failure.Albums
Killing Joke (1980)
What's THIS For...!Wilful Days (1995)
Alchemy: The Remixes (Remix Album) (1996)
Wardance (Remix Album) (1998)
The Unperverted Pantomime?Paul Neville first came together as Fall of Because, named after the first track on What's THIS For...!Justin Broadrick, setting the foundations of Godflesh, who covered "Requiem" live, with Raven on bass.In 1987, Metallica covered Killing Joke's "The Wait" for their E.In some early interviews, the members of Soundgarden cited Killing Joke as one of the bands they listen to most.The main riff of Nirvana's song "Come as You Are" bears a striking resemblance to the riff of Killing Joke's single, "Eighties.""Wardance" single) for their Purge EP.In 1994, Hoppy Kamiyama used a looped sample from "Exit" that was used in his God Mountain Orchestra project on the track "Lebanon", released on the Japanese compilation, "Neu Konservatiw".In 1995, Icehouse covered "Love like Blood" on their album The Berlin Tapes.In 2001, Amen covered Killing Joke's "Europe" during a session on BBC Radio One in 2001.In 2001, The Mad Capsule Markets covered Killing Joke's "Wardance" on their album 010.In 2003, German band blackmail covered "Love Like Blood".In 2003, the German death metal band Disbelief covered "Democracy" on the album Spreading The Rage.In 2005, Fear Factory covered Killing Joke's "Millennium" on their album Transgression.Other professed fans of Killing Joke including Ministry, Amebix, Front Line Assembly, Tool, Nine Inch Nails, Melvins, Faith No More, KMFDM The Complications, Born Dead Icons, Godflesh, Napalm Death, Mr.Bungle, VX, Red Lorry Yellow Lorry, I Am Spoonbender, Primus, Queen Adreena, Jello Biafra, Prong, The Red Star Ritual, Burning Image, Morgoth and Project 86.Retrieved on April 12, 2003.Interview with Killing Joke's Geordie (HTML).Retrieved on May 13, 1989.Retrieved on April 8, 1989.Extensive KJ resource
Killing Joke at Last.Killing Joke discography at MusicBrainz
Jaz Coleman interview at Rockdetector.Bootleg Vinyl Archive Vol.All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License.See Copyrights for details.M3D1AALBUMS MALICIOUS DAMAGE GATHERING LIST Launch.Killing Joke have been more a force of nature than a straight forward new wave punk band since their eponymous debut album in 1980.Killing Joke have been incredibly influential on many of the biggest rock bands on the planet including Metallica, Nine Inch Nails and the Foo Fighters.Ok, first, what happened with Germany.The band and management cancelled all the German shows three weeks ago, when word came in that the Zillo festival got cancelled.Killing Joke and Management didn't find out till the night before the tour was to begin, that the promotions teams in Germany still was promoting the show as being on.Raven was really upset that all the fans were hurt in this, and sends his and the bands apologies as well.We are definitely working on a more reliable way of communication, so in the future, this wont happen again.Both Raven and Matt have said the same thing...We are now focussing on getting the sites updated and in better shape.Please feel free to visit the current message boards HERE.Inertia frontman Reza Udhin has joined Killing Joke.Reza has taken over playing keyboards with the band, replacing Nick Walker, who was with the band for 11 years.The band is wrapping up and putting finishing touches on the new album (due out by the end of summer 2005) in Prague.ETA as to the exact date.There are 'plans' for an extensive tour, though nothing is set in stone just yet.Shopping for a label whilst recording a new, full Joke album, obviously is not the absolute top priority, and will resume in full force shortly.Your continued support and patience is very much appreciated.Killing Joke performed live in front of a packed house in Prague Monday night.Sheppard's Bush in London, and European tour opening for Motley Crue.With plans for heavy touring, recording and the release of a special anniversary DVD, 2005 looks Brighter Than A Thousand Suns for the Joke.Kerrang Story about Killing Joke's comeback and then, forthcoming release.Rolling Stone reports on Dave Grohls participation in the upcoming Killing Joke 2003 release.Sign in to get personalized recommendations.Hours() * 3600 + newCurrentTime.Hours() * 3600 + currentTime.Ships from and sold by Amazon.Want it delivered Monday, January 7?See all 82 customer reviews...Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?Killing Joke to reform.Though it's been seven years since 1996's Democracy, their protest music has lost none of its edge.Railing against the crushing power of massive conglomerates, the machinations of oil barons and corrupt governments, and the steady erosion of personal freedoms, Jaz Coleman's concerns have never been more relevant.Musically, too, this Killing Joke lineup belies its collective years.With expert guidance, it's simple!See all 312 customer reviews...The easiest way to shoot video reviews.Killing Joke where have you been all my life?This album is very powerful with sounds of rock, metal and a little punk perhaps all wrapped into one.Make no mistake about it, they can rip and roar with the best of them.Another rollicking tune is "Blood on your hands" and by this point in the album I'm just kicking myself for not checking these guys out earlier.The tune "You'll never get to me" slows down a bit and is more of a hard edged, soulful tune that I will refuse to call a "ballad" since that term seems to be a label applied far too often to the wailing tunes from late 80s rock bands.Dave Grohl was the drummer on this album.Eleven tracks altogether that includes the brilliant bonus track "Wardance", Killing Joke found a new fan in me and I look forward to listening to their other albums.Beyond that, I find the beats, rhythm and overall vocal effort of Killing Joke to be extremely enjoyable.Was this review helpful to you?"Thanks for the valuable feedback you provided to other Amazon.Your vote will be counted and will appear on the product page within 24 hours."The comeback album, part 2...Of all the bands in the world, Killing Joke is the only one of which I consider myself a true fan.Tribal drums, lyrics depicting the nature of man as wild pack animal denying his true self in modern society, along with the fortelling of the coming apocalypse (remember, this was in '84), heavy stuff indeed.Jaz Coleman was the mad shaman exhorting us all to go to the fire dances, to shed our safe and secure world for one more in step with the true creatures that we're all down deep inside.After that, Jaz and Geordie put out the excreble Ouside the Gate.Everyone including myself, thought they were done.But again, after those two albums, I thought KJ was over and done.Dave Grohl fills in admirably on drums for this album.Oh, and the new version of Wardance is excellent.Uptempo, but still dark and sinister, it's different from the original, and yes, I do like the original better.Was this review helpful to you?Almost 25 years since they formed Killing Joke have returned with yet another album.So now he takes the time, to warn of the potentially bleak future once again, and to vent the feeling of utter frustration and seething anger about the state of the world.The drumming, provided by Dave Grohl, is harsh and more pounding and cruching than the rhythmic groove of 'Democracy' or 'Pandemonium'.All the while marching to an industrial pummel and shredding guitars.The later half of the album is concerned with fighting back, and personal guilt at Colemans failure (from his perspecitve to do this so far, at least with violence).Killing Joke returns
Nice return to full form for Killing Joke after a long hiatus again.One of the best albums I've ever heard
I will start out by saying I'm not even a Killing Joke fan.Only two bands in the world make loud music with real intelligence connected , Fugazi and of course the fantastic Killing Joke.TWENTY FIVE YEARS IS NOT ENOUGH.Well, it's been two years since I bought this album, and I have a confession to make.Killing Joke Takes on Fascism
As a huge Killing Joke fan who leans toward the early works I was psyched to hear this relatively new album.This is to all the young kiddies out there, if you think your band is HARD, you don't know hard.Killing Joke is truly the HARDEST band on earth.It had been seven years since "Democracy" when this album saw the light of day and it seemed rather unlikely that another album would ever be recorded.See all 82 customer reviews...Why do people buy CDs when records sound so much better?Enter My World Of Music: A guide by L.Revolver Magzine's Top 50 Heaviest Bands List?Music You Should Hear: Artists' PicksWant to know what Norah Jones, Sting, and Il Divo are listening to?Off Your StairMaster and Nautilus Purchase
Purchase a select StairMaster or Nautilus product offered by Amazon.Is there any other feedback you would like to provide?View or change your orders in Your Account.Charts
Concerts
Lyrics
News
Y!Pepsi Smash
Nissan Live Sets
Who's Next?DelegateListener('yuimenuitem', 'hd', 'click', YAHOO.This article is about the 2003 music album.For for other uses, see The Killing Joke.Killing Joke is an album first released July 28, 2003 by Killing Joke on Zuma Recordings.Killing Joke fan Dave Grohl.Side taken from a "Loose Cannon" single as bonus tracks.Bootleg Vinyl Archive Vol.Bootleg Vinyl Archive Vol.You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.This page was last modified 17:14, 23 October 2007. |
