Post punk industrialists,
Killing Joke are one of those bands that (a) seem to have been around forever (32 years actually) and (b) everyone has heard of but few have heard.
The original band - Jaz Coleman, Geordie Walker, Youth and Paul Ferguson recently reformed, and wrote and recorded an album of new material.
'In Excelsis' is a trailer for this forthcoming release, to be titled 'XIII, Feast Of Fools'.
Credited with starting the whole industrial rock/metal movement, they are quoted as major influences by the likes of NIN, Nirvana, Metallica, Tool and Rammstein, and to say the band has a chequered past is a significant understatement. Coleman himself has been, among other things, composer in residence for both the Czech and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestras.
Opener and title track '
In Excelsis', a steaming slab of anthemic industrial rock, makes direct, vigorous sense when you consider the band's legacy. Coleman stretches his throaty roar to breaking point, elbowing his way through droning keyboards and a huge, icy wall of bass heavy rhythm.
'Endgame' is a dark delight; stark, strange but melodically hypnotic. It's that dichotomy of up market garage rock and mesmerising melody that makes this music so compelling.
If it's articulate, angular industrial rock that you want, then
'Kali Yuga' is the one. It accelerates with spirited clangs and clatters, driving through Coleman's lyrics - based on Hindustani teachings - with verve and zest, like a precision oiled behemoth on cruise control.
Fourth track '
Ghost Of Ladbroke Grove' playfully, deftly, merges industrial strength rock with reggae, creating a culturally aware style of music that not only reflects contemporary society, but contributes something to it, all in the space of 4 minutes.
Based on this evidence, the band's thirteenth release may just be the best one yet.
Written by
Brian Monday, July 19, 2010
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