Killing Joke – Killing Joke (2003)

January 28, 2022

Is there a comeback album as perfect as this? How many bands go away and then return better than ever before? The 2003 self-titled release from Killing Joke was also the first experience most people of my generation had with the band, too. Personally, I was never really that into it, I loved “Asteroid” and had heard “Loose Cannon” but I was 14 at the time so was neck deep in other types of music.

This is the album that Dave Grohl drummed on, in what seemed to be an intense few years of sessioning (Queens Of The Stone Age and Probot also spring to mind). That aside, Youth is back, joining Geordie and Coleman for this excellent rejuvenation effort. Some of my favourite Killing Joke songs are here; the aforementioned “Asteroid”, as well as “Zennon” and the fathomless “Death And Resurrection Show”.

Production wise, this is clearer than say, Hosannahs or even Absolute Dissent, but still has the ability for that massive wall of guitar to blow you the fuck away. Amazing.