Top 10 Killing Joke Songs

Photo: zimpenfish / rjp [CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)]

Killing Joke is an English post-punk/industrial rock band formed in 1978 in Notting Hill. Generally seen as the pioneers of industrial rock, they were one of the first bands to really crossover with different styles. As a result, they attracted a much more diverse audience than most other bands of the time, with post-punk fans, hardcore punks, and metalheads among their fanbase. Bands that have cited them as an influence include Metallica, Nine Inch Nails, and Soundgarden.

The original lineup consisted of Jeremy “Jaz” Coleman, who was on vocals; drummer Paul Ferguson; guitarist Geordie Walker; and bassist Youth, who has become a successful producer. Their first release was their self-titled debut, which came out in 1980. Youth left the band after their third album, 1982’s Revelations, and was replaced by Paul Raven, who died in 2007. The band achieved their most commercial success in 1985 with the album Night Time, which contained their most famous single, “Love Like Blood.” Even though Coleman and Walker have been the only constant members, the original line-up is now back together.

# 10 – Hosannas from the Basements of Hell

The title track, “Hosannas from the Basements of Hell,” off their 2006 album, is one of the best of their post-millennial output. The track lives up to its name, having a doomy atmosphere, making Killing Joke one of the most intense and forward-thinking bands making music despite their long career. At this point, this was the harshest sounding material they had ever done, and they were affected by many bands in the extreme metal genre, citing them as an influence and embracing that within their sound here.

# 9 – You’ll Never Get To Me

Taken from their second self-titled album released in 2003, a comeback album for the band, with it being their first since 1996’s Democracy, it features none other than Dave Grohl on drums. This slow and melodic track showed a different side to Killing Joke, which was not all about heaviness and extremity. With lyrics dealing with a sentimental subject matter, seemingly nostalgically reminiscing, and their time together as a band, it is a Joke anthem about celebrating life without sounding bloated and cheesy.

# 8 – Complications

One of the lesser-known Killing Joke songs is “Complications.” The song is from their 1980 debut album. The track defined Killing Joke as a band that would take rock music in its own direction. The song presented listeners with a unique melodic riff. The song’s chorus displays Coleman’s range as a vocalist, reaching beyond his usual raspy vocal style.

# 7 – Democracy

Another title track, this time from their album released in 1996. This track saw Killing Joke mellow with age to an extent, with a rather melancholy tone. With that said, this is not a bad thing, as lyrically, it is just as fired up as ever, being inspired by the political climate of the time, which in the UK was just a year away from the rise of New Labour.

# 6 – Money Is Not Our God

This track, taken from the 1990 album of the same name, is classic Killing Joke. It harks back slightly to the sound of the early albums but also sees them successfully transition into the 90s. Lyrically, the title is an anti-yuppy anthem attacking corporate greed and exploitation.

# 5 – Requiem

Possibly KJ’s most famous song, the opening song off their debut features one of the most classic post-punk riffs of all time, with Coleman delivering a unique and rather guttural vocal performance over the top of it. Still, it is a favorite with fans, notably covered by the Foo Fighters in 1997.

# 4 – Pandemonium

By 1994, Killing Joke were still proving themselves to be musically relevant with this tack and album of the same name released that year, which was due in part to the popularity of the industrial genre, which they created with bands who were selling millions such as Nine Inch Nails and Ministry citing them as a critical influence. “Pandemonium” sees the band adapting its sound into a new era and generation with its metal-influenced riff and lyrics, which once again reflect on what was then the current state of the world via the perspective of Coleman’s New Age beliefs.

# 3 – Empire Song

This track from 1982’s Revelations is a classic slice of early Killing Joke. Featuring a very uneasy-sounding riff, it is KJ at what they do best: apocalyptic, doomy-sounding industrial rock. By this point, Coleman had developed a fascination with the occult, particularly the writings of Alistair Crowley. So much so that he moved to Iceland to survive the apocalypse he believed was coming. As a result, he could not perform the single on Top of the Pops, with drummer Paul Ferguson performing the vocals. Guitarist Geordie Walker and bassist Youth soon followed Coleman to Iceland. However, the apocalypse never came, and they eventually moved back to England.

# 2 – Let’s All Go To The Fire Dances

Taken from 1983’s Fire Dances album, this was the first sign of Killing Joke gaining more mainstream success. It was by far the most accessible material that they had produced at that point, which they would take further with “Love Like Blood” a year later. Despite this, lyrically, it deals with concepts just as out there as ever, with the fire dances in question seemingly alluding to starting a revolution.

# 1 – This World Hell

Taken off 2010’s Absolute Dissent, this is easily one of the heaviest tracks that Killing Joke has ever recorded and is a classic example of their modern-day metal-influenced sound. The title also speaks for itself and captures the band once again dealing with the concept of the sorry state of the world after thirty years! The riff is heavy and doomy, and Coleman’s vocals sound more powerful than ever, completely growling through. All in all, the song could very much be the soundtrack to the apocalypse!