Killing Joke – Absolute Dissent (2010)

July 9, 2015

Killing Joke have a long and varied discography but Absolute Dissent is the album I end up coming back to again and again. Everything since the 2003 self titled record has been brilliant (even the dub remix album) but Absolute Dissent takes the crown for me, every time. It possesses a clarity and melody that is equally matched with heaviness and bite. All the songs here seem to follow a certain method or blueprint, but still remain interesting, fresh and manage to stand apart.

The record opens with the title track, and you can just envisage this (and the following track “The Great Cull”) being sang by thousands of adoring fans at a live concert – the choruses are huge and ballsy, which is quite funny considering the subject matter of the latter track. “Fresh Fever From The Skies” continues in a similar grim vibe but with a massive chorus.

Other stand out tracks include “European Super State”, “This World Hell”, “The Raven King” (dedicated to the sadly deceased Paul Raven) and the closing “Ghosts Of Ladbroke Grove”. I have speculated with myself what this final track could be about, but I failed to reach a conclusion (for now).

Go!