Of all the bands in the world, Killing Joke is the only one of which I consider myself a true fan. I was a relative latecomer to the Joke, I discovered them in '84 and rapidly bought every title I could find. 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. It spoke to me more than any other band had before or since. 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.

Then KJ came out with Brighter Than a Thousand Suns, a good but not great album. After that, Jaz and Geordie put out the excreble Ouside the Gate. Everyone including myself, thought they were done. But then came Extremities, Dirt and Various Repressed Emotions, their first "comeback album". With Big Paul Ferguson replaced by Martin Atkins, this album restored my faith in the Joke. While different than what came before, the album was hard, brutal and truthful, even if it lacked the lyrical subtlety of the early albums. I'll touch on the next two albums, Pandemonium and Democracy some other time. But again, after those two albums, I thought KJ was over and done.

I should have known better.

This album kicks ass and STOMPS! Paul Ferguson (Paul, we miss you!) still absent, Dave Grohl fills in admirably on drums for this album. Geordie's guitar style has changed a bit, it sounds as though he's not using a hollow body electric so much on this album. Both Raven and Youth play on different tracks on the album. Jaz is in his usual fine form here, though his lyrics are still a bit preachy and not as subtle as the earliest Joke albums. It's also a bit hard to take lyrics about asteroids and implants terribly seriously, but Jaz sings them with utter conviction. I could have done without the over the top growling and hissing vocalizations throughout Total Invasion and at the beginning of Dark Forces. It might have been okay on one track, but doing it twice was too much.

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. But I think it was worthwhile.

I guess the best thing I can say about this album is that I don't think it's possible to play it loud enough. Ignore my fellow grumpy oldsters, this album is among their best and a must for any fan.

Almost 25 years since they formed Killing Joke have returned with yet another album. And while some might be wondering why they don't just call it a day, there is a purpose to this album. Jaz Coleman is finally getting the chance to say 'i told you so'.

Since their debut album (also self titled) Killing Joke have been raging, with some considerable paranoia about the threats of the so called new world order/corrupt governments/occult/conspiracy theories. Coleman always claimed that the governments were out to get us, that secretly they were preparing to sieze all power. And now in 2003 it seems as if he has been vindicated.

Way back on "Whats This For..?" Jaz screamed "..crawling for oil, they were bleeding for gold..", a fairly accurate predication made all of 22 years ago. 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 Death & Resurrection Show" warns of history repeating, and the deception of the powers that be. While "Total Invasion" foreshadows the governments of the worlds attacks on their own people solve the problem of resource (and water in particular) shortages, using the situation of Mexico City as an example. The tone then shifts to an other worldly threat, and Jaz's favourite topic, the comming apocalypse, in "Asteroid". "Implant" and "Blood On Your Hands" seethe over government control, of the individual and the worlds economies respectively. 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). Finally on "House Of Pain" the band lets loose, swearing to hold on to freedom at all coasts, because the pain is far greater to betray himself than fight back.

WWJCD? I think we have the answer.

Killing Joke's fan base is an interesting one. Much like U2, you either have the true/devoted fans that like everything and grow with the band over the years no matter how much their sound evolves/changes, the fans who only like the first 3 albums and shrug off everything else that follows, or the younger new fans who only like the new stuff, and could care less about the 80s albums. There's an argument for every previous KJ album that one of these fan-types will find disapproval somewhere along the line. That line is blurred on the 2003 Killing Joke LP. You can almost hear every era of the band's history echoed throughout the CD (with the exception of 1988's Outside The Gate).

The first four tracks introduces today's Killing Joke - darker, heavier, and more frenzied than even the most metal numbers on Pandemonium. Then, track 5 hits, and it's Night Time all over again! "Blood On Your Hands" is possibly the best KJ song to come out in over 15 years. It screams of Tabazan, Darkness Before Dawn, and The Wait. The song just feels classic, and it's hard not to hit the repeat button on your CD player after this one! Track 6 - the single - "Loose Cannon" was built to be a radio single, and it does the job. "You'll Never Get To Me" and "Dark Forces" bring back the majestic rock march of "Requiem" and "Lanterns". "Seeing Red" would have to be Dave Grohl's spotlight on this record. By the way, he absolutely SHREDS the drums on every track, and KJ couldn't have picked a better drummer for this LP. Dave adds his trademark fierce rock style while mainting the tribal ferocity of early KJ LPs. If you're a Grohl/Foo Fighter hater but love KJ, do not fear, they can co-exist, and they do it damn well. In-fact, the line-up of Coleman/Walker/Youth/Raven/Grohl might arguably be the best yet. I guess it depends on how much of a Big Paul Ferguson fan you are! The closing track "The House That Pain Built", is a modern-day rocker, and might well be the weakest track on the CD - there isn't a bad song on the album - so that's not saying much. The bonus track is a fiery new recording of "Wardance" from the debut LP, so as you can see, the band is feeling that energy and vibe from the early days.

Overall, an outstanding album - one that will please KJ fans from all eras of the band's colorful and influential career. You won't hear the gloomy synth pads that filled the gaps on Night Time and Brighter Than A Thousand Suns (though there are traces of synth on the album), but then there are no gaps to fill on this great collection of songs. A highly recommend purchase. Killing Joke is back! Rejoice!

Killing Joke waited in the shadows for the right dose of inspiration to hit and with the second gulf war, Jaz and the gang had a lot to work with. Stripping down their sound from the sequencer laiden past couple of albums, the band is sounding more like a modern blending of the "Fire Dances" and "Extrematies" era. Metal? Punk? When they released their first album they were considered a "post-punk" band and thankfully due to the intelligence and passion, they certainly aren't a metal band (Putting Killing Joke in the same catagory as Ozzy and Van Halen turns my stomach)--It's a strong album and stands out amongst the dreck we've had shoved down our throats for the past couple of years. The only weak spot is Dave Grohl's drumming--- Big Paul's tight, tribal intensity was last heard on "Fire Dances" and was a bit washed out on "Night Time" and "Brighter" (no doubt due to triggers and dance clubs) but still in your face-- While I thought Martin Atkins did a great job I still missed that signature bass and drum combo. Sadly Grohl, though capable, sounds dreadfully overwhelmed and can only wish he was 10% as good a drummer as PF and MA....he sounds best when he's imitating the texture of the first 4 albums and lost when he breaks out on his own---the snare sound is a bit 'out of context' as well... When all is said and done, this is a wonderful album that we especially be appreciated by people who loved anything before "Night Time".

Well, it's been two years since I bought this album, and I have a confession to make. I should first mention that I listen to nearly all my music in the car during my commute to and from work (home is for sleeping, not loud industrial jamming... usually).

And in those two years since I first bought this album, it has never, EVER, not once, left the car.

That officially makes it the only album I have ever purchased that is absolutely essential and that I can't be without. A true "desert island disc", if I was making a list. Granted, I'm not listening to it all the time, but still... the fact that I've never filed it away with my other hundreds of discs speaks volumes about this record.

I've always been a huge fan of Killing Joke, finding very few, if any, albums that don't completely satisfy the musical palate. Even though KJ has so many other incredible albums, they don't compare to this. In fact, I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that this is the best album that I have ever heard in my life. Sounds pretty corny, doesn't it? But I'm neither a thirteen-year-old girl nor a groupie. This music speaks to me in a way that is powerful, emotional, thrilling, and exciting.

The many other reviews here highlight the highs of this album, so I won't retread when there's already 70+ reviews. I just couldn't hold back any longer... I had to make my confession. It's very hard to say what it is about this album that is so incredible... but there is talent here. And it's raw, powerful, and unstoppable.

If Jaz Coleman's much-feared apocalypse comes, I sincerely hope that I survive and find my way into his tribal camp. I can't think of anyone I'd rather spend my time with when the world ends. This guy may be a prophet... he may be crazy. Either way, this is an incredible disc.