Killing Joke (1980 album)
Encyclopedia
Killing Joke is the debut studio album of the London post-punk
band Killing Joke
. Released in August, 1980 worldwide under E'G Records, Killing Joke was self-produced and was considered an underground album. The album was recorded in early 1980, shortly after a small tour promoting the Almost Red
EP. The lyrics of the album were written by front man and vocalist Jaz Coleman
, which expressed his opinions on issues such as politics, death, hypocrisy, human nature, pollution, and exile.
The album has been considered by many bands as an influential and inspirational database. Several bands like Nirvana
, Foo Fighters
, Tool
, Soundgarden
, and Metallica
have all credited Killing Joke for influencing much of their own material.
The song "Requiem" was covered by Foo Fighters in 1997 as a b-side to the Everlong
single and the song "The Wait
" was covered by Metallica in 1987 and released on The $5.98 E.P.: Garage Days Re-Revisited
and was later released as a single for Metallica. The song also featured in the hit movie School of Rock
.
Killing Joke reached number 39 on the UK Albums Chart
in 1980. Killing Joke went on to have three singles: "Wardance
", "Change
" and "Requiem
".
Sputnikmusic stated that "[t]he debut album by Notting Hill band Killing Joke is a key album in the rise of thrash, funk and industrial based metal music. Jaz Coleman and his bandmates crossed punk rock with Black Sabbath for a nihilistic, bludgeoning but inspired and exciting noise and of their early albums, this is their best," and that the album is "[a] post-punk masterpiece of tribal funk-rock and grinding heavy metal with suitably doom-mongering lyrics and splenetic vocals."
Original US release
The original US release featured the track "Change (Killing Joke song)Change" in between tracks "Complications" and "S.O.36". "Change" was later released as an unofficial single.
Post-punk
Post-punk is a rock music movement with its roots in the late 1970s, following on the heels of the initial punk rock explosion of the mid-1970s. The genre retains its roots in the punk movement but is more introverted, complex and experimental...
band Killing Joke
Killing Joke
Killing Joke are an English post-punk band formed in October 1978 in Notting Hill, London, England; other sources report the band formed in early 1979.Related news articles: Founding members Jaz Coleman and Geordie Walker have been the only constant members.A key influence on industrial rock,...
. Released in August, 1980 worldwide under E'G Records, Killing Joke was self-produced and was considered an underground album. The album was recorded in early 1980, shortly after a small tour promoting the Almost Red
Almost Red
Almost Red is Killing Joke's second EP released in November 1979, one month after their Turn to Red EP. The album was originally sold at gigs on tour for their upcoming debut album, Killing Joke, to be released the following year in the UK...
EP. The lyrics of the album were written by front man and vocalist Jaz Coleman
Jaz Coleman
Jeremy "Jaz" Coleman is a musician, composer, singer-songwriter and record producer. He is notable for his vocal contributions to rock band Killing Joke...
, which expressed his opinions on issues such as politics, death, hypocrisy, human nature, pollution, and exile.
The album has been considered by many bands as an influential and inspirational database. Several bands like Nirvana
Nirvana (band)
Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987...
, Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters is an American alternative rock band originally formed in 1994 by Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl as a one-man project following the dissolution of his previous band. The band got its name from the UFOs and various aerial phenomena that were reported by Allied aircraft pilots in World War...
, Tool
Tool (band)
Tool is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1990, the group's line-up has included drummer Danny Carey, guitarist Adam Jones, and vocalist Maynard James Keenan. Since 1995, Justin Chancellor has been the band's bassist, replacing their original bassist Paul D'Amour...
, Soundgarden
Soundgarden
Soundgarden is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington in 1984 by singer Chris Cornell, lead guitarist Kim Thayil, and bassist Hiro Yamamoto...
, and Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
have all credited Killing Joke for influencing much of their own material.
The song "Requiem" was covered by Foo Fighters in 1997 as a b-side to the Everlong
Everlong
"Everlong" is the second single released from the Foo Fighters' second album The Colour and the Shape, released in 1997. The song was conceived when Dave Grohl returned home to Washington, DC following the initial recording sessions for the album...
single and the song "The Wait
The Wait (song)
"The Wait" is a song by Killing Joke. It first appeared on their eponymous 1980 debut album, Killing Joke. In 1987, Metallica covered "The Wait" on their EP, The $5.98 E.P.: Garage Days Re-Revisited, and re-issued it on their 1998 compilation album, Garage Inc. An excerpt of Metallica's version...
" was covered by Metallica in 1987 and released on The $5.98 E.P.: Garage Days Re-Revisited
The $5.98 E.P.: Garage Days Re-Revisited
At the end of "Last Caress"/"Green Hell" are a few bars of Iron Maiden's song "Run to the Hills", but is played out of key. Iron Maiden responded to this on a b-side cover of the Montrose song titled "Space Station No...
and was later released as a single for Metallica. The song also featured in the hit movie School of Rock
School of Rock
School of Rock, also called The School of Rock, is a 2003 American musical comedy film directed by Richard Linklater, written by Mike White, and starring Jack Black...
.
Killing Joke reached number 39 on the UK Albums Chart
UK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
in 1980. Killing Joke went on to have three singles: "Wardance
Wardance (song)
Wardance is Killing Joke's first single off their debut album Killing Joke. It was released under Malicious Damage in February, 1980 as a 7" single. A small number of copies from the original Malicious Damage pressing came with a pre-typed folded form comprising military 'call-up papers' to be...
", "Change
Change (Killing Joke song)
Change is an unofficial single by Killing Joke. The track originally appeared on the US release of their debut album, Killing Joke . It was released on March 17, 1980 at the Peel Sessions as a 7" single and was limited to only 300 copies. The B-side was Tomorrow's World, also off Killing Joke's...
" and "Requiem
Requiem (song)
"Requiem" is Killing Joke's second official single from their 1980 album Killing Joke. The single was originally released under E'G Records as a 12" single and featured the song Change as a B-side, a previous unofficial single. That same year, E'G Records released a 7" version of the single,...
".
Reception
Bradley Torreano of Allmusic praised the album: "[Killing Joke] is an underground classic and deserves better than its relative unknown status," and that the "cold metallic throb of Killing Joke was exciting and fresh."Sputnikmusic stated that "[t]he debut album by Notting Hill band Killing Joke is a key album in the rise of thrash, funk and industrial based metal music. Jaz Coleman and his bandmates crossed punk rock with Black Sabbath for a nihilistic, bludgeoning but inspired and exciting noise and of their early albums, this is their best," and that the album is "[a] post-punk masterpiece of tribal funk-rock and grinding heavy metal with suitably doom-mongering lyrics and splenetic vocals."
Track listing
Original UK releaseOriginal US release
The original US release featured the track "Change (Killing Joke song)Change" in between tracks "Complications" and "S.O.36". "Change" was later released as an unofficial single.
2005 CD reissue/2008 Vinyl reissue
The 2005 and 2008 reissues of Killing Joke featured several tracks previously released as b-sides and demo tracks. The tracks were listed in addition to the UK original release being that "Change" was track 9 instead of track 7, as it was in the US original release. The 2008 reissue was dedicated in memory of bassist Paul Raven who performed his last album with Killing Joke in 2006. Raven died of heart failure in October of 2007. Since then, every reissue of Killing Joke's studio albums have been dedicated to him.Personnel
Killing Joke- Jaz ColemanJaz ColemanJeremy "Jaz" Coleman is a musician, composer, singer-songwriter and record producer. He is notable for his vocal contributions to rock band Killing Joke...
- vocals, synthesizerSynthesizerA synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones... - Kevin "Geordie" WalkerGeordie WalkerKevin "Geordie" Walker is a rock musician, best known as the guitarist from the post-punk group Killing Joke.-Life and career:...
- guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with... - Martin "Youth" GloverMartin GloverMartin Glover, also known as Youth, is a record producer and a founding member and bassist of the UK band Killing Joke. He is a member of The Fireman along with Paul McCartney. Glover was born in Africa.-Early career:...
- bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... - Paul FergusonPaul FergusonPaul Ferguson is a rock drummer, best known for his work in the post-punk/industrial group, Killing Joke, and cult English punk band, Pink Parts. Ferguson was a founder member of Killing Joke, and was their drummer from 1978 to 1987, and was known as 'Big Paul Ferguson' during this period...
- drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, vocals
Charts
| Year | Chart | Peak position |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | UK Albums Chart UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
39 |