Reviews (page 6 of 8)
Not too shabby
Not familiar with Killing Joke or any of their songs. Liked the punk with futuristic background effect. The lyrics were simple and repetitive. Bloodsport (instrumental) was the best song but there are other good ones. Album cover photo and the fact that the album was self produced the way the band wanted it might be why this one made the 1001 list. Liked it enough to give it (2.7*s) Keep the Change, change, change, echo…
This album sounds very industrial and even features a goth robot as the vocalist on a few tracks. There's definitely something interesting going on, between the futuristic background sounds and the scratchy production they've managed to blend metal, atmosphere, techno-dub, and garage punk into something that sorta works. I liked a few songs and I do think this was ahead of it's time in the 80's. But I don't really like the band name and some of it feels repetitive. Didn't stand out but decent.
I accidentally listened to the 2003 album of the same name and was not to into that one. This was much better. Really liked some of guitar/drum work. Lead singer gets a little too dark/goth and there is some useless noise that could be cut from a few tracks. Still though, I think it is not too bad for post-punk 80s debut from a bamd i have never heard of...2.7.
I wanted to like this more than I did. Didn't grab me in any way and didn't do anything nearly as well as some of the other early British punk albums we've heard so far. It felt awful long for a 35 minute run time. For me this is a miss and one I would remove from the list. 1.71 stars
This one was pretty good. Nice mix of genres.
Saw these guys at the Royal Albert Hall last year as a neighbour is a massive fan, enjoyed this… not only for what it is itself but the amount of other bands/sounds were inspired/evolved from this… NIN etc….
Some really excellent early post-punk. Made it to the second song in their second Self-Titled before realizing I was on the wrong one.
So the Killing Joke is an iconic Alan Moore/Brian Bolland Batman graphic novel that explores the origins of the Joker, how Batman wrought him onto the world, and how a cycle of systematic revenge, physiological torture, and, basically, man's inhumanity to man, is really just an ouroboros and those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. It's a 3½ to 4 star Batman story and a 2½ to 3 star animation adaptation. This has nothing to do with anything I just said, but I hope you find what I said more enjoyable than this album.
Easy to listen to, but nothing really stood out.
I thought this was fine to slightly below fine, overall not for me
Couldn't get into it. 1/5
I don't think it is there best, but still an awesome sound
Surprisingly good.
Lots of good memories
this is why i joined this list. badass.
The main standout, as is often the case for post-punk music, is the bass playing. Very energetic and flamboyant, keeping the songs moving even in the 5-6 minute tracks when the music is otherwise pretty static. Many tracks here feature a full-on punk-rock wall of sound. which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but some could use more of a sense of "progression". The drumming and guitarwork is theoretically strong, but it doesn't shine as much as it could due to textural monotonicity and there not being many solos. Requiem and Change are, in my opinion, the two tracks that avoid that constancy, and are hence the two best tracks. I will say, though: none of the tracks are necessarily bad. Sure, the vocals are nearly objectively bad – but that's essentially a staple of the punk genre. And when I'm in a revolution-esque mood (or maybe going through an unprecedented emo-punk era), this could make for an excellent soundtrack. 3/5 Key tracks: Requiem, The Wait, Primitive, Change
Too much of the same song. I enjoyed the electronic/techno influence that was present in a few of the songs, but otherwise, this album isn’t really that original or unique in any way. 3/5
1980 rock, but British and aggressive
15% of the way through the list and I have gotten a few punk albums which I didn't much care for. This one... I actually liked a lot! (I guess it's technically post-punk, but I don't know what the distinction is) Favorite track: either "Complications" or the single version of "Requiem." There's a catharsis to a lot of these tracks.
Nothing special
This album had some good moments. Favourite song: Requim and complications. Least favourite: Bloodsport Album artwork: cool cover.
Very strong especially toward the second half after a couple of listens. Yet another Punk building blocks situation that I love this list for exposing me to. I think Refused would have listened to a lot of this.
Sounds ahead of its time, good tunes. And Dave Grohl played with them!
Killing Joke is no joke! I wasn't familiar before but I'm listening to this a few times; it earns a solid rating.
I loved this. What a find. They sound well ahead of their time and fit into that heavy industrial rock vive that I love.
Grimy. But not too grimy.
Out of the chute, my knee-jerk reaction was that these guys must have been paving the road to 90s alt rock that I’m not really interested in treading, but I warmed up to it and some of this really rips! Even if they did cut the path that Gen X stomped down, I can still appreciate the vistas they uncovered here.
This was way better than I thought! A fun mix of genres and rocks hard enough to get me through the workday
I really need to stop judging a band by their name/cover art because I loved this. Never heard of them before and was pleasantly surprised.
More obscure British horseshit. Nothing too exciting about this album. Another post punk/industrial rock record. Favourite songs: Wardance, The Wait, Requiem Least favourite songs: Tomorrow's World, S.O.36, Change 2/5
Not even my favorite of Killing Joke's self-titled albums, but still great in all its moody glory.
This one is interesting because of the sounds they have created are paving the way for the future. Electronica/Punk/Metal. Vocals are at times off putting but the music is good enough to keep me in touch. Nice to see featured insturmentals
This was pretty good
I have a feeling I'm underrating this album. I'm guessing that if I listened to it five times I would get it more. I did listen to Requiem more than once. I know Killing Joke from the one song Love Like Blood, which I like a lot, but it's not here. It was interesting hearing the early work of Flood on bass. I know many albums that he's produced. Liked songs added: - Requiem
Not for me
Ugh
I enjoyed it, it's good. Not one of the best punk albums but, good.
Really enjoyed this mix of post punk and industrial music, feels like this was pushing boundries at its time.
I didn't find this one particularly memorable.
Quite heavy guitar but really enjoyable.
I enjoyed this one, quite entrancing I found it to be.
Killing Joke sounds like German music with English vocals. Requiem is a good start but it’s really downhill from there. By Wardance I was out. There are some decent beats but it’s cold industrial for the most part 4.2/10
Seemed fine, wasn’t in the mood for it and lasted 3.5 songs
2.5 It was ok. Nothing really stood out with one go-around. I thought it sounded more like a Clash rip-off than a precursor to industrial music.
It’s ok but does seem pretty influential
Really enjoyed it at times; really didn't at other times.
Hadn't listened to this before, but really enjoyed it. Seems to have laid the groundwork for a lot of hard rock, industrial, and metal that came after it.
I wonder if there will ever be a time in my life that I'm into music like this. Or just any of the dark 80s synthy type goth bands. This was insufferable for me, but I'd understand why fans of a band like, say, The Cure would like them. I feel like this list makes the mistake of taking fringe genres and not only giving you the AAA of them, but also the AA, A, and dare I say B, and C's of the genre. That's how this feels anyways. Not for me.
kiehtivat meoldiat.m tössä vitsinö punktyylisuus..
Very interesting mixture of punk and industrial, I dig it! 3.8
I liked “Requiem” a lot
I really enjoyed this one a lot!
Tja, punkig ist es schon irgendwie.... Ich mag es nicht. Zu viel Schlagzeug, Kaum Melodien. Interessant
Yeeah... that's not my kind of music. The guitar riffs are nice, but that doesn't make it a good album for me. Very chaotic in moments. In a bad way.
Post punk from 1980 with a punk dance vibe. 3.5
Nice. Best tracks are Bloodsport and Change 3/5
oooooh Killing Joke!! TBH The only song I know from them is Millenium. Which is a bad ass song!! super diggin this album, it's like early punk and also a little bit of like joy division tones maybe? I love this. 5 stars
Never heard of Killing Joke. Enjoyed the album, old school rock. Nothing really kept my attention, but enjoyed it more than the 1960s/1970s stuff thats been coming through a lot lately.
2/5
The band is very British sounding, a little reminiscent of The Clash, but their own sound. Opening track The Requiem wasn’t bad, a good start. I did not enjoy the next track Wardance and skipped halfway through. Then came Tomorrow’s World, which has a great beat and overall sound. Bloodsport is instrumental and is a definite headbanger. SO 36 is another mostly instrumental track that has a great sound and beat. Very heavy on the drums. This was mother of my favorites from the album. The rest of the tracks were good but didn’t stand out to me either way. Overall, I enjoyed this much more than I thought I would. 4
The album was short so it was over quickly. Nothing particularly noteworthy about it. No need to revisit it.
Kinda cool, they went in on what they do.
Got two tracks - noth bloody awful - why do I keep getting this crap?
ordentlich häftig... da merkt man den Punk
Requiem 3.3 Wardance 3.1 Tomorrow's World 3 Bloodsport 2.8 The Wait 3.2 Complications 3.3 S.O.36 3.4 Primitive 3.5 Score: 3.2
Great sound
Not my style
I was expecting a bit more angry punk from this, but I think that's on my bad ears. Can't say I'll do it right away but it definitely deserves another listen.
Hugely influential. Can hear Nine Inch Nails, Ministry and Faith No More amongst others on this album. Primitive is a flat out banger. Solid listen. Good addition to the book.
The album as a whole didn't blow me away, but there were some bangers mixed in there. Glad I heard it before death, at least.
Great piece of music, very engaging at times challenging but also head nodding. 4.5
Some really good songs as you progress.
No thank you.
56/100
Track 1. Accessible, quite modern sounding. Track 2. Silly voice. Track 3. Oh no the voice is still here. Track 4. Got funky. And no singing 👍🏻 Track 5. Intro! Oh no the singing is back. Track 6. More melodic singing? Track 7. Long, repetitive. Track 8. Can't remember. Enjoyed most of the music, just not into the singing all the time.
I didn’t really enjoy this.
Cansativo
Opening track is great! I can’t believe I’ve never listened to this album before. I knew of the wait because of Metallica. I like the original better. This is a great record. I wish I had heard this sooner. I really like this record.
Very cool sound, great experimentation with the electric guitar as well as electronic sound. Likely well ahead of their time. The music tends to feel like a background accoutrement, perhaps that of a movie score. You get hints of a punk band, but it focuses on the wall of sound rather than the yelling anger. It has that attraction, but lacks the revisit-ability.
oh look at that, another UK punk band. Just what we needed. I had almost forgotten the last one. What about this justifies its place here? Maybe because it moved from 41st to 39th place on Billboard during it's run. I did like Bloodsport, but probably because it had no vocals. I want to provide more disses to this album, but it isn't the album I'm upset with. As it went on I actually started enjoying the songs.
Not bad. This one's billed as "post-punk," and I think I'm starting to understand it. It's like a nuclear war fallout version of punk rock, the aftermath in a sense. It's got a lot of the grit but a very different energy. Couple songs I'm saving, but overall this album didn't do too much for me. Favorite tracks: Bloodsport, Requiem. Album art: Black and white shot of what appears to some guys on and below a wall. Maybe some rebels trying to blow it up? Not sure. I think part of my "nuclear war" aftermath analogy is attributable to this cover, I'm getting that vibe for sure. The grafitti-style title is pretty cool. 3/5
Probably technically good but I don't like metal. Hard to judge so I rated based on my preference and not something more objective.
Some of the post-punk movement really bores me, even when I understand that it forms an important path from rock and punk to the indie and garage music I liked around the late 90s-early 00s. But something about this album really appealed. The rhythm section really gets into some grooves and I can also see the path to the likes of The Prodigy and Primal Scream through this. I can definitely see myself listening to this again. It is a chaotic, noisy mess at times but there's something strangely brilliant about it.
Requiem
Take some punk songs, add some synthesisers, and what do you know you’ve got yourself a post-punk album. In all seriousness, I feel like I must have sustained some sort of recent head injury that I don’t remember, because not only is this the best post-punk album I ever heard (low bar) but I actually enjoyed it.
It’s not a 2 and it’s not a 4. Simpsons: No
Actually giving four stars to a post punk album. Was an interesting mix of genres, enjoyed the heavier parts to the album.
I liked some of the guitar work, but just couldn't get into the album. Not the worst but definitely not the best
Post punk I didn’t hate. That’s pretty impressive in my books
I've discovered a love of 80's post punk and this sit well in there, all be it at the harder end of the spectrum.
One of the first industrial rock records apparently - but what you hear is a harder version of Tubeway Army I find. Still, that isn't so bad. It takes a bit to get used to the style but it clicks and is certainly a unique listening experience. Singer and his synthesizer give it the certain spicy style.
ta ok
Not for me
2024-04-03...
2.8/5 Best Track: Requiem
A decent beginning for a band that’s underappreciated here in the US. The genre bending generally works.
A decent listen. Not quite sure how to categorise it, maybe angrier version of Television? Decent album!
Enjoyed some but not enough
Good post-punk debut album by Killing Joke. I like the bass and production on this album quite much. I can't say that much about it, but it's a solid 3 from me.
It's different but I really didn't like it
Listened Before? N I've read these guys' name on a ton of T-shirts and punk rock battle jackets over the years but never listened to them. I've heard Metallica's cover of "The Wait", but that's about it. They're an interesting enigma. We have all this wild imagery and the violent name.... and the music is pretty tame by today's standards. Anyway, I really love the post-punk sound and I'm glad to learn about this one. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: The Wait
Solid 4! I'll take a number of other post-punk albums over this one, still very enjoyable though. Would've probably preferred Night Time for their slot, but I suppose that's a matter of opinion.
Crisp post punk, love the bass
Took me forever to actually get to it but I enjoyed this
Another album I hope not to hear again before I die. 0001/5 26/3/24
Played on loop at every record store in the 80’s.
It's ok
Great album! reminds me of 2004-2005 living in cincinnati going to xavier and hanging with my girlfriend and one of my best friends driving around clifton and northside!
1. requiem - 1 2. uuardance - 0 3. uuorld - 0 4. bloodzport - 0 5. uuait - 1 6. complicationz - 1 7. 36 - 0 8. primitive - 0 9. change - 0 10. requiem - 0
something about electronica and punk and the way this sounds tells me it should work buy this feels like a miss.
There was some cool stuff on this album but I still don’t like punk (or post punk in this case). I enjoyed how 80s and electronic it sounded at times. As well as the weird filters on the lead vocals
"Kasumi's review for this album has inspired me to hate on the list author in this review. I can think of 20 albums off the top of my head that deserve a spot on this list but this white man just keeps whipping out the same (often mediocre) genre of old British rock that requires you to read 20 Wikipedia pages to understand. I'm sure they're all significant in some way but to quote my wife, "good music shouldn't have to rely on the listener's prior knowledge to be enjoyable or to convey a message". Nothing against this particular album though it was fine I guess. There were too many songs where they just yell the same word every few seconds (ie. change) and they added remixes to the album so I had to sit through that too. Favourites: requiem, bloodsport. 2/5
apparently this band was super influential and was cited as a major inspiration for nirvana and metallica. i dont really see how tbh because this was kinda mid. i guess in 1980s UK this was the most exciting thing going on. the guitar line was unique and everything was well executed, i just didnt really enjoy sorry guys. also the repeated songs were not good enough to warrant listening to twice. 2/5, i would've enjoyed more if it was more lyrical or melodical or anything, just felt like listening to a tank drive over electric guitars
Literally just more rock music except this time some of the songs have no lyrics. Is the author of this 1001 list allergic to listening to anything that's not British rock made before the year 2000 or something? No hate but it's kind of stretching my patience thin. There is so much more unique music out there (that is more deserving of a place on this list than SOME albums we've heard) and yet we keep getting fed British rock band after British rock band. I'm sure there's some contextual significance or explanation that I'm missing, but I've decided to stop looking into the albums so deeply since good music shouldn't have to rely on the listener's prior knowledge to be enjoyable or to convey a message. Anyways I don't even hate this album at all I just think there should be some diversity on this list. Favourites are The Wait and Complications, though Requiem and Bloodsport are good too. Another 3 - was okay, somewhat repetitive, but nice beats to have on in the background while you dissociate
Better than expected. Not completely enjoyable.
Not sure what to say. Where is my impression. It's supposed to be nauxious. And it is unsettling aggravating stuff. Cold and metallic like DK. An angry and dejected reaction to injustice and the horrid society beating and gassing its own people. Its excellent and - for once in pink - clear clean uncluttered as careful restrained art- very good at what it does - so 4-5 stars for being very good at being bleak, pared back punk. But for my enjoyment it's a 3.
Musically, I really enjoy this album, which I’d never bothered listening to before. From the opening of Requiem to the final track, Primitive, I’m totally engaged by the music - I just find Jaz Coleman’s vocals a bit boring. He may have influenced a whole host of British post-punk vocalists, but I’m afraid that’s no gold medal as far as I’m concerned. Still, there’s some great stuff here - none better than the first single taken from the album - Wardance, or Bloodsport - these are both absolute winners. If I played this a few more times, it might score more, but it’s 3 stars from me.
I loved being introduced to this. This is an ur-text for much of my favorite music, especially the industrial stuff I love. A mixture of metal, dub, krautrock and post-punk, the claustrophobic, apocalyptic sound is muscular and driving. It is a really heavy rhythm section that can still groove, and the whole band knows how to lock it into the pocket and ride it out. Jaz Coleman is a compelling and charismatic singer, even if the songs are pretty dark. I own a bunch of records a lot like this (including some other Killing Joke albums, and some Killing Joke side projects, such as Murder Inc, an album I played obsessively when it came out in the early 90s). But this is as good or better than the rest of them. Where has this been all my life? I enjoyed this so much, and it goes onto my must-get list.
Although the album is really much better that I expected (I thought this might be some horrible hardcore record), there is still something cold and unsatisfying about this approach to art.
Didn’t care for this one, just not my style
I've listened to this a bit over the years. Metallica brought me to The Wait, stayed for the rest of the bangers. A classic.
Not that interesting, but not bad. Doubt I'll ever get the urge to voluntarily listen again but if it's on somewhere I am, that's fine I s'pose.
Very good.
Este disco inauguró un estilo que, nacido del punk y la new wave, se caracterizaba por un frío latido metálico sombrío y furioso que pronto fue imitado hasta la saciedad por cientos de bandas posteriores. Su vigoroso primer tema, "Requiem", ya anuncia lo que va ir después: riffs de guitarra precisos y ritmos sincopados en canciones como "Wardance" que iban a influir también en generaciones posteriores de músicos hardcore. Incluso el tema "Te Wait" sería incluido años después en un álbum de Metallica. "Killing Joke" es todo un clásico de la música alternativa y underground.
I'm a sucker for rhythmic metal, what can I say? This immediately sucked me in with the chugga chugga distorted guitar, bass, drum combo. The singing is definitely a specific style, I'm not as much into that but it was fitting. I was struck by how many of the songs I was familiar with, without at all being able to name this band or album.
I really liked this. Not sure how I would describe it, but it somehow felt heavier than it really was. Despite knowing basically nothing about this band, I have a sneaking suspicion that this would be your favorite bands favorite band - except if your favorite bands favorite band was Butthole Surfers who seems to overlap in both sound and timeframe. The bonus tracks felt like a bit much.
Tight set of songs. No weak tracks. First 5 given Favorite tracks: Requiem, Complications, Change
i respect each song individually but the album wasn’t amazing. it was decent, i don’t think i’d go back to any songs but some songs were pretty good.
The best Killing Joke album with best opening song ever. Superclassic.
Sounded okay, but at times a bit repetitive, and reminding me of other bands I would prefer to listen to.
Intense and very satisfying punk-rock album.
In general I love this genre, but there was something off about this. Too experimental, maybe?
A bit strange.
Kasarisoundit ja tiukka postpunk drive. Tätä oon koittanut kuunnella aikaisemminkin, mutten oo oikeen päättänyt onks tää lintu vai kala. Sama edelleen. 3/5
Genren ja synkkyyden puolesta voisin tykätä, mutta ei vaan ollut minusta kovin hyviä biisejä. Pari ihan jees, mutta kokonaisuus ei kolmoseen yllä.
ennen kaikkea jotenkin hauska levy raskauden ja syntetissaattorien yhdistelmineen. 3/5
Eh. I got through it but it was hard. Maybe not in the right head space. The sound was full to the point of echo at times.
it was alright not anything special really 3/5
Hadn’t heard of this band before, loved learning about the punk scene, not exactly my taste though
There’s a reason that Killing Joke isn’t a household name. This was just noise
Soft 3
It has it's moments. I'm getting tired of the excessive UK post punk on this list though. Will I listen to again: 20%
Four stars for Requiem alone. Great opener.
Early post punk. Synth additions are fun. Whole thing is a tab bit repetitive
Listened twice + more songs from other albums. Enjoyed! 4⭐️
Interesting record, though not really for me. I find some enjoyable tracks, but half of the album flew by and didn't capture me. Standout tracks: Requiem, Tomorrow’s World, The Wait, Primitive 6,5 out of 10
"Motives changing, day to day / The fire increases, masks decay" I haven't heard any Killing Joke before, so this album was completely new to me. The strarting track, "Requiem" slaps. It sets the tone with a very punk song, with a captivating riff, IMO this was a perfect opening song, and one of my favorites from the album. My favorite track from the album, and the one that earned its spot on my playlist was "The Wait," It has a clear chorus, with a captivating riff that really hits the spot. The album had a very strong second half with a super heavy "S.O.36" and was IMO one of the sleeper songs from the album. And to finish it out, I felt "Change" was another standout track that didn't slow down the pace, finishing the album off on a strong note. Overall a very solid offering from Killing Joke's self titled debut album. It's a very Clash-inspired album, with more raw energy but similar british charm. I enjoyed the meshing of Industrial Punk with a sort of alternative New Wave energy, and I can see how it's influence has spread. Very ahead of its time and holds up well today. 4/5
fine goth rock.
I can't stand it.
This is great. Way ahead musically and conceptually against other similar bands, and for raw aggression, mood, anger, despair, intensity, and darkness no one comes close from this era, except for Joy Division and maybe Bauhaus. The use of synths and echo effects really elevates this in my eyes. It’s almost a No Wave record, and it really grooves for a post-punk/industrial/metal album.
This is another perfect example of value in this exercise. Incredible album from 1980 with total teeth and lovely edge. Just all around avant punk with a touch of electro.
So that’s what post punk is!
Liked, but didn't love this - had some interesting songs, will give another listen as would like to see what a second listen brings
A really solid album, way ahead of its time. Some songs sound a little dated, but the overall production is still great. I don't have many complaints about this one. 4.5
Catchy and raw, but ultimately not incredibly remarkable industrial/punk music. I can absolutely see how this was groundbreaking for 1980, though. 3.5 leaning 4.
Excellent album. The members of this band had only gotten together in June of 1979 and by 1980 this album would revolutionize the notion of punk and industrial music. On this album you get the proto tracks of industrial and electronic rock that would illuminate the path for groups I love like Skinny Puppy, Ministry, Nine Inch Nails, and many others... My favorite tracks are "Requiem", "Wardance", "The Wait", and "The Primitive".
Excellent punk album
annoying
Very techno and seemingly punk. Rough, gritty, grinding and monotonous at times.
Post-punk debut that separated the contenders from the pretenders.
Post-punk, industrial rock. Así, oscuro. Me ha gustado. Un 4.
When I saw this was British rock I sighed because I haven’t been vibing with the last few albums suggested of that genre, but I loved this one. Definitely going to check out more of their material. The industrial elements are evident, which makes this so much more than a British punk album.
not horrible, but very repetitive. not a lot that sticks out as really good or memorable. lyrics can be interesting but still repetitive. had no desire to listen to the re-issue bonus tracks
Requim was pretty good, rest of the album just passed me by,
This was pretty good.
Hard to quantify but I quite enjoyed this. Reminded me a bit of some of the gloomier work by The Jam. 3.5 stars.
fantastic stuff
Clearly influential to bands that came after. Excellent musicianship, classic band.
Not terrible. But I hate Punk so not a fan.
Me ha gustado el sonido. Pienso que le falta presencia a la voz. La progresión musical es lenta en momentos. Hay riffs muy buenos, muy creativos, pero muy uniforme en toda la canción. Falta algo de dinámica.
unique and interesting. was an experience to listen to the first time, but i will not be repeating. i could not jam with the weird combination of new-wave with heavier elements and goth.
Again, no. Not for me thank you.
It wasn't funny. It killed me so fast I couldn't listen long. It was that good at doing whatever it did.
A bit to post post-punk for me, but overall enjoyable
More interesting than I expected. The repetitive lyrics got old by the end of the album.
Interesting - another band I've heard of since the 80's but for some reason never listened to. I thought they were pretty good.
Hard-edged punk influenced precursors to the industrial scene in the 90s.
A LOT better than I thought.
Hasn’t got much to it
The best albums I’ve heard so far in this project have been from artists I’ve never heard of before. I’d never heard of Killing Joke before but I sure have now. I don’t know exactly what the post-punk movement was in response to (other than, well, punk), but I can tell that it drove this band to a very specific sound. It’s dire. It feels industrial in places. Its stakes are high. It’s enthralling to listen to. As with many of the albums so far, I will need to check them out further. Standout tracks: Requiem, Bloodsport, The Wait, Primitive
Guter Hardrock mit Punk Ausflügen. Wenig Gesang, deshalb mal was anderes.
The main detractors here are wasted space and the awful vocals. The music is not bad, honestly pretty cool at most points, but entirely too many songs just have wasted, empty space with repeated riffs and/or odd background noises. The vocals are abysmal, in my opinion. I feel like there's next to no talent or effort on that front. I'm not big in the industrial/punk scene, so maybe this is neat somewhere, but not for me. Fav track: The Wait
So raw, noisy and brutal. Love the industrial vibes, it’s a powerful debut. [0129/1001]
Rough around the edges, but a wildly inventive album for the time. New Wave was a fairly recent thing at the time, and Industrial music was far from developing into a genre, yet here Killing Joke took these ideas and mixed them with Punk and Metal to make a truly unique record. I’ve always liked this band and they were an early intro into quite a few of the genres being mashed together here for me. This would likely be a 5 if the album cuts were more fully realized and if the production was better suited for the inventive arrangements being presented. Top tracks: Wardance, Bloodsport, The Wait, Change
It’s really cool, but really sloppy at points. It’s so close to being great, but it just needs to be tightened up a little bit
Neat album, with a lot of elements I enjoy. The early industrial sound combined with the sometimes krautrock-like repetition made this quite enjoyable.
Killing Joke's eponymous debut album, released in 1980, is a sonic assault that captures the essence of post-punk and industrial music. The opening track, "Wardance," kicks off with an intensity that can only be described as a musical onslaught, featuring vocals that sound like they're delivered by the Daleks. This unmistakable element adds a futuristic, otherworldly quality to the album, aligning with Killing Joke's ability to transcend conventional punk boundaries. The relentless energy, driven by tribal rhythms and guitar riffs, sets a tone that permeates the entire record. Throughout the album, Killing Joke navigates a dark and dystopian sonic landscape, incorporating elements of punk, industrial, and even hints of gothic rock. Songs like "The Wait" and "Complications" showcase the band's knack for creating a sense of urgency, while tracks like "Requiem" delve into a more atmospheric and haunting realm. The sonic experimentation on this album laid the groundwork for Killing Joke's influential career and left an indelible mark on the post-punk and industrial genres. The self-titled debut stands as a testament to the band's ability to push musical boundaries and create a sound that remains both iconic and challenging.
Very mediocre. Side note - What's with the Euro bias on this list? How are there so many underwhelming European artists on this list of albums to listen to before you die?
I know they are very influential, but I was honestly kinda bored? Only song that really caught my interest was S.O.36
Does it make me a caricature that I loved this
Unexpectedly good
Willing poke.
not as good as the comic
80's tastic. Pretty good but not exceptional. And a bit formulaic.
Little light in this industrial powerhouse. Somewhat cludgey in places although there are some subtler moments.
feels like it was just a step away from greatness.
This is excellent. Way ahead of its time. I think it puts them up with the earliest indie: cure, joy division etc,
I really like music like this. But this isn't really a very interesting version of this style. Strange choice.
3*
Good post-punk and cold wave punk music.
liked it more as it went more German
Meh
I really like what they're doing here. It's not annoying to me like a lot of other post punk, it feels like they're actually trying. Favorites were Primitive and Wardance
Gefällt mir nicht.
Interesting album for sure. Good early punk for sure.
La definició de 'so corrossiu' la trobem en l'estrena discogràfica de Killing Joke. És incómode, difícil, complicat d'agradar.... però té alguna cosa que el fa especial. Segurament és el talent indiscutible de gent com Jaz, Youth o Geordie, que sublimen plegats una mena de post punk antecessor del rock industrial, però amb un so molt propi i ple de qualitat
on a scale of pere ube to good it's 3/4 of the way to good wardance bloodsport the wait primitive
3.5/5
Why do my reviews keep getting fucked up?
One I owned long time ago and it still sends shivers down my spine. Unpleasant at times. Brutal anti-rock that feels edgy. Big fan. Also....just a thought....is there a bit of late King Crimson in there. No? OK. As you were......4.5 Brutal and fucking ace.
I usually don't mind industrial sounding music, but this was bad.
Good mix of new wave, darker gothic style stuff, and metal. Really fun listen
first listen interesting textures and sound but kinda same-y
This album was pretty interesting. I think I’d heard one of the songs before.
Never heard of it, liked it a lot.
Very much the kind of thing I was listening to in the late 80s -- but from several years earlier. I don't know why Killing Joke wasn't on my radar, I would have loved them back in the day. Not so much my vibe anymore, having mellowed a bit in the ensuing 40 years, but good enough to still find me appreciating and enjoying it, if a bit nostalgically. Good one, generator, thank you.
This got really irritating after the first couple tracks. I can see what they were trying to do but it just didn’t work for me.
It’s industrial, metallic, driving, spacey. This is really good.
Loved the instrumentals, didn’t really care for the vocals. Usually not my genre, I was surprised!
Good stuff
Knew “The Wait” from my days as a Metallica obsessed teenager, but was largely unfamiliar with Killing Joke aside from that. An enjoyable and influential electronic/punk hybrid.
Killing Joke's self-titled debut album is a post-punk masterpiece that seamlessly blends tribal funk-rock and grinding heavy metal, featuring doom-mongering lyrics and splenetic vocals [1]. Released in 1980, the album remains a seminal work in the post-punk genre, showcasing the band's unique sound and enduring influence. 1. Lyrics The lyrics of "Killing Joke" delve into doom-laden themes, reflecting a sense of apocalyptic foreboding. Jaz Coleman's distinctive vocals deliver lyrics that explore societal decay and existential angst, creating a dark and immersive atmosphere. The lyrical content, often cryptic and foreboding, adds depth to the album's overall impact. 2. Music The musical composition of the album is a tour de force, characterized by a fusion of tribal rhythms, punk energy, and heavy metal intensity. Tracks like "Wardance" and "Requiem" exemplify the band's ability to create a sonic landscape that is both aggressive and danceable. The use of unconventional instrumentation, including tribal percussion, contributes to the album's distinctive sound. 3. Production The production of "Killing Joke" is raw and unpolished, capturing the raw energy of the band's live performances. This intentional grittiness enhances the album's authenticity, allowing the listener to experience the visceral power of Killing Joke's sound. While some may find the production unconventional, it aligns with the band's rebellious ethos. 4. Themes The thematic core of the album revolves around societal disintegration and a looming sense of doom. The lyrics and music work in tandem to create a dystopian soundscape, reflecting the anxieties of the late 20th century. The thematic coherence adds to the album's impact, making it a thought-provoking journey through the darker aspects of the human experience. 5. Influence "Killing Joke" has had a profound impact on the post-punk and alternative music scenes. Its fusion of genres and uncompromising approach paved the way for bands that would later explore the intersections of punk, metal, and electronic music. The album's influence is evident in the work of artists ranging from Nine Inch Nails to industrial rock bands, attesting to its enduring significance [2] [4]. Pros and Cons Pros: Innovative Sound: The album's unique blend of genres sets it apart as a pioneering work in post-punk. Powerful Lyrics: Jaz Coleman's lyrical prowess adds depth and intellectual engagement. Enduring Influence: The album's influence on subsequent generations of musicians cements its legacy. Cons: Unconventional Production: The raw production may be off-putting to those accustomed to more polished soundscapes. Cryptic Lyrics: Some may find the cryptic nature of the lyrics challenging to decipher. In conclusion, "Killing Joke" stands as a post-punk classic that continues to captivate listeners with its distinctive sound, thought-provoking lyrics, and enduring influence on the music landscape.
Een 2-tal nummers vind ik heel goed. De rest maar zo-zo
Pretty good ok
Really well produced and musically cool. Vocals a bit low in the mix and generally weak.
Decent odd rock
This is weird but I mostly like it. It's very 1980, for sure. The problem I'm having is a few tracks drag, and a few tracks Really drag with repetitive instrumentals that really just feel like they're there for padding. 4 for content here, minus 1 for padding.
Punk and electronics was revolutionary at the time, but this felt a bit pedestrian now. Gets points for being ahead of its time, but I didn't love it.
Had high expectations for this one & I’ve been meaning to listen to it for years, but I’m a bit disappointed honestly, most of it is pretty standard.
I couldn't get through this.
Got a little slow tbh but it had a fun front half
Good record, can definitely hear the beginnings of industrial metal
I’m a sucker for post punk. This one was a tiny bit repetitive but not enough to kill the enjoyment. Fun time.
If I could play guitar well and be in a band this is what I'd play.
Un espectacular LP de rock alternativo que mezcla de forma innovadora sonidos electrónicos en secuencias repetitivas con riffs de guitarras pesados y voces sumamente alteradas, para crear un paraíso distópico que evoca el movimiento punk que le precederá e incluso, adelantándose una década con algunos tintes de grunge. Sumamente influyente y sorprendente, considerando que fue el debut de la banda.
I am a post-punk fan so this is right up my alley, an enjoyable listen!
Isn’t my favorite but liked it more as it went on. Rating: 2.7
Have to say I really enjoyed this album for what it is, certainly some weaker songs than others, but I’d say I liked a good chunk of them 3/5 Favourite Song: Bloodsport
3.8 would give 1.5 stars if I could
Lost three teeth just listening to this. A good sound, very clash-esque. Feels a bit one note after while. One of those albums that reminds you that you are living in a society. I wish albums would stop doing that to me. Just let me eat my yogurt in peace please.
Love this album, favourite track Wardance,
not my usual
Now we're back in my element, prime gritty post-punk. Had heard the album before a couple times, and The Wait especially a bunch more. Requiem with that repeating synth is a great opener, Bloodsport is a funky instrumental that feels a bit Talking Heads-esque, and the already mentioned The Wait has a riff that hits like a sledgehammer. 8 songs and a little over 30 minutes, they really just threw a bunch of bangers together and called it a day.
The band's name is definitely familiar to me but I'm not sure if I had heard any of their music before this. This album to me is yet another example of how sounds, styles, and trends that we (or at least I) think of in music culture have been around a lot longer than meets the eye and how all these genres and categories (which I get away from more and more) overlap, influence each other, and don't ever really fit neatly into one description. It's hard-driving, heavy-attack stuff yet still has some interesting compositional and performance aspects to it. I like it.
Fine album of Killing Joke. I always thought their same was from the Monty Python sketch about the joke in German that killed all the Krauts. Well I has something to do with Monty Python, so 5 points out of 10 for me and 3 stars for the album.
It might just be because I listened to this at work while drinking a bang energy, but I really really liked this album. At first, I thought it was going to be a 2 at most but each song grew on me more and more until I was listening to all the bonus tracks and restarting the album from the beginning. I think this album shows that I would really like all the other punk/post punk albums I've gotten if the production had anything interesting going on at all aside from shitty guitars because this had the usual shitty vocals but each track had interesting stuff going on production-wise. Requiem almost has a rave electronica type beat, complications has fun bass guitar work, tomorrow's world has a cool keyboard chord, and the rest is what you imagine is playing when you walk into a seedy biker bar where there's a perpetual fight happening over a disgusting pool table.
This album somehow manages to balance being heavy and refined at the same time. It is labeled as industrial rock, but still has this cleaner post-punk 80's sound. It is so hypnotically intense, but not abrasive or super distorted and blown out. There are definitely some heavier songs, like The Wait, which was even covered by Metallica. But the performances here are just so tight and in tune with each other, and sometimes they honestly groove really hard. The songs are structured in a way where the instrumentals get more dense as time goes on. Like the song $.O.3.6., which starts out very sparse and slowly builds and builds until everything comes together. There is just something that is very likable about this album, and I enjoyed it way more than I thought I would. Rating: 7/10
Ok
I thought I would love this but found it underwhelming.
This is a great album. Gritty vocals and some great performances. "Asteroid" was a particular favorite of mine.
I really wondered when I was going to get to my next 1 star album, and lo and behold, it's here. This entire album was absolutely grating. There wasn't even one song that I thought was worth another listen. They were all too long and droned on unpleasantly. I ended up skipping through the last few.
Oh look, more post-punk… This one is distinguished by a sludgier, more electrified and more industrial sound, which I generally approve of. I’m not a huge fan of the vocals or the lack of variation in some tracks but its driving rhythms did get the blood flowing during a chilly evening walk.
Stellar album that feels cuttingly raw yet refined, with an exceptional amount of composure and poise for a debut. Also gets points for sounding quite experimental by 80s standards and blurring genre lines to create an almost quasi-metal sound that still lands firmly in post-punk range by ear. I don’t know what was in the water circa the late 70s, but between this band, Joy Division, and several other post-punk pioneers this era produced some outstandingly dark music, shame the whole decade after went mostly to bright, glamorous shit.
Don't like British punk
Pleasantly surprised, enjoyed the sound and some of the beats, I would imagine NIN was influenced by this sound. Seems ahead of its time for being released in 1980, some innovative music. Not sure about the lyrics couldn’t really understand most of them.
That was really aggressive and gritty. It does have an industrial feel to it. This isn’t a sound I’ve really heard much of and it’s kind of satisfying to listen to. The lyrics are kind of bare bones but they fit the music pretty well. I might listen to some more Killing Joke songs. I liked it more than I expected to.
2.5
Headache inducing
Excellent album that I’d not heard before. Got me listening to more of their work. Don’t know how I missed them.
Why did I like this so much? I honestly don't know. Pretty cool experience even if I doubt I would seek it out after this.
I only first heard Killing Joke a couple of years back - 'The Death & Resurrection Show' on 2017's record 2003 (confusing). That song features Dave Grohl on drums, and is a stone-cold banger. It was cool going right back to the start with this record. Such a cool new wave vibe combined with harder rock leanings. I feel like The Prodigy might have been inspired by some of this stuff for their 1997 record The Phat of the Land. The production is great. Favourite tracks: Requiem, Tomorrow's World, Complications, S.O.36.
Great!
Appreciated the listen. Enjoyed the riffs in the songs, and got the feeling that a lot of stoner rock like Queens of the Stone Age took concepts from this album to apply to their own music.
I have listened to this a few times over the years, but it's not an album I go back to often. I respect Killing Joke though for pushing the genre on a little bit in a new direction, songs like Changes are Requiem are great, the others a little bit filler'y.
I liked this more than I thought I would on first impression. Very well-defined vibe, punk-ish, grim, industrial (not even the genre, just feels like run-down urban factory music). Not really my style but neat enough.
Would have just brushed this off had I not looked again at the year, this was way ahead of its time. Some how they managed to make a doom and gloom sound that is casually accessible. The opener is an electro industrial jam. Other songs evoke Public Image Ltd and Big Black. This is largely the bridge between punk and post punk, I’d call it proto post punk. Not memorable enough to be classic, but definitely one to bookmark for dark days ahead.
Heavy, metal I guess. Not for me
Actually liked this a lot. Kind of punk music you can dance to 4
Yeah... no.
I wasn't expecting much from this album as it didn't sound like it would be up my alley. During my first listen last night, I was pleasantly surprised and thought it may even be so likable to hit the 5-mark. When I followed up with a second listen today, it did not sit nearly as well and was hovering around the 3-mark. I have decided to land my rating in the middle of those two impressions.
I know a couple of Killing Joke songs but I don't know that I've ever listened to an entire album. I liked it! Seems hard to categorize --- seems pretty grungy for a record from 1980.
I put this music on today and my cat work up from her nap to paw at the screen until I turned it off. I don’t think she’s a fan. On the other hand, I was quite surprised by how much I enjoyed listening to this. This ain’t the first time an album has surprised me on this project. I started off a 4 but I’m listening to it for the third time and I really am enjoying it. Yet another unexpected 5.
Some bands’ music sounds more important than it is. Their tight playing and sonic experiments with studio sounds don’t save them.
- Never listened to Killing Joke before - Impressed, enjoyed it - Yet to have had a post punk album on this that I haven't liked - Very good opener - Fav songs: Requiem, Complications, Wardance
Gran origen al punk rock argentino
-Didn’t write a BL- AL: killing joke was a band I was aware of only due to their controversy with Nirvana copying their eighties’ lick. And while I liked this more than nirvana I must admit I didn’t think this was anything special. While I didn’t think it was bad, and the use of layered guitars must’ve been pretty cool for the time in a pre-loveless by MBV world, I think this hasn’t aged amazingly, and while there are some tracks still worth the listen I’m not sure if this stood the test of time like many of the other post punk albums, despite it being very influential. So this made me decisive about how I rate my albums, whether I think they deserve to be on this list or whether I enjoy them. I have decided I will rank all efforts based purely on my enjoyment - if this was based off of influence this album would get a 4 or a 5 but due to my enjoyment being a high ok at best it’ll get a 3/5. Though some really dislike the abrasive flanger on the vocal in track 2 I honestly didn’t find it too bad and thought it was quite interesting if not very obviously a gimmick. FT: “requiem”, “S.O.36” 3/5
Rad
kolme debyyttiä putkeen heh. laku biisit olivat niin tyltsää punkki poppua että en edes huomannut että loppupuollea on kiinmostaviakin biisejä. noh, LIIAN MYÖHÄISTÄ heh...ei ollisi knanatttanut bloodsport
Saw these live fairly recently, a late replacement for Television supporting Billy Idol's arena tour for which a friend gave me a ticket to come along with him. Was initially sad to miss TV especially given Tom Verlaine's sad passing the following year. Comforted myself that I had at least seen them perform Marquee Moon in entirety a few years and settled in to watch Killing Joke with medium expectations. They blew my socks off. Was also hilarious watching the baffled reactions of those around me to this band, slotted between Toyah and Billy Idol's pop, as they delivered an astonishingly heavy and dark set, with absolutely no fucks given for those just waiting for Mony Mony and White Wedding. Disappointed to learn he's gone nuts (or apparently always has been) on conspiracy bullshit. But this is a great album. The Wait is cracking.
Punky and cool
slow down the punk guitars, tribal drums, add some reggae bass and a general sense of doom. One of the founding texts of goth. The first Killing Joke album is absolutely essential and in Requiem, Wardance and Change (the latter on the expanded reissue) a phenomenal piece. They'd sell way more records in the mid-eighties, but this and its successor are the Killing Jokes.
4.0 - With a single staccato synth note pulsing like a heartbeat over a brutal soundscape of warped guitars and militaristic drums, Jaz Coleman opens the first and most striking track "Requiem", yelling that "he's just a cattle for slaughter." It's a moment in rock music that strikes like a fist, a crying protest to anyone who will listen, a middle finger to those who won't.
Occasionally good stuff in here, but nothing special and the fact I've forgotten about most of it when I've come to write my reviews says it all
It's okay, but I would rather read the graphic novel.
First the cover is really dark and cool, very punk. Then the album look like the droids in star war if they have a band, with some "robotic" effects, and very dark musicality and dismal atmospher. But with all that you have also punk style riffs, lyrics and visuals. Requiem and bloodsport are the best songs i think. The other songs are not my kind You could really feel how this album inspired grunge or trash metal bands, its personally one of the darkest punk/new wave album i ever listen.
Fuck yeah. This album is rad. Such a fat sounding recording too.
Það var önnur plata sem heitir Killing Joke með bandi sem heitir Killing Joke. Ég byrjaði á henni og hún virkaði sem algjör ömurð. - Ég hef ekki smekk fyrir þessari, en þetta er svo sem ekki alsæmt.
Mediokrer Postpunk.
Love the dark atmosphere on this album Love how chaotic the instrumentation is too Favourite tracks: Requiem, Wardance, The Wait, Complications
Very very good, especially after a couple of listens. Influenced loads of great bands, but just falls short of a five star record for me.
An epic album ahead of its time
Not my style
I really didn't expect to like this at all, really enjoyed it however.
Clearly a product of the early 80s, but it doesn't vibe with me. Neither the songwrighting nor the sound did anything for me. 2/5
A bit punky, a bit metal-y, a bit dance-y and industrial-y, too, with some vaguely new wavey vibes as well. Certainly not great, but well above terrible. The closing cut, the nearly danceable "Change," is best one. None of this deep, dark scary stuff seems very much so in the decades hence.
Pretty good post-punk.
great industry postpunk
Didn't like this at all, got through it. Glad it was a short one.
OMG, hombres gritando, que original. Esta muy meh.