Recorded 2002–03 Artist Killing Joke Label Zuma Recordings | Length 59:28 Release date 28 July 2003 Producers Andy Gill, Martin Glover | |
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Released 28 July 2003 (2003-07-28) Studio The Beauchamp Building
(London, England) Genres Post-punk, Industrial music, Industrial rock, Industrial metal, Gothic rock, Alternative metal Similar Killing Joke albums, Hardcore punk albums | ||
Killing joke the death resurrection show hd
Killing Joke is the eleventh studio album by English rock band Killing Joke, released on 28 July 2003 by record label Zuma Recordings.
Contents
- Killing joke the death resurrection show hd
- Background and recording
- Release
- Critical reception
- Track listing
- Personnel
- Songs
- References
Recording for the album in 2002 marked the end of a six-year hiatus that began in 1996 and it was Killing Joke's first studio album in seven years. Produced by Andy Gill of Gang of Four, the album featured former Nirvana drummer and Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl, who is also a long-time Killing Joke fan, on drums. This is also Killing Joke's second self-titled album, following their first in 1980, as an effect of the hiatus.
Background and recording
Vocalist Jaz Coleman and Dave Grohl originally intended to title the album Axis of Evil, in reference to the political lyrical themes: "It's the beginning of the American Empire. They're taking over the world. That's what's happening, and here we are at the heart of the fucking enemy. I never thought I'd see the day." The Death & Resurrection Show, the title of the opening song on the album, was also a working title.
Bassist Paul Raven had recently met Grohl, who expressed an interest in working with the band. According to Coleman, "The original idea was to have three of our favorite drummers play on the album, Dave [Grohl] being one of them. We also wanted John [Dolmayan] from System of a Down and Danny [Carey] from Tool. But when Dave heard the songs, he said, 'I want the whole thing'". Dolmayan worked with the band during early recording sessions, but the drumming on the final album is entirely by Grohl. Grohl declined to be paid for his work.
Bass guitar is played by original member Youth, guitarist Geordie Walker, and other longtime bassist Paul Raven, who performed on the tour supporting the album. Walker claims to have played "half the bass on the record. "
During the recording of the song "Asteroid", Dave Grohl commented on the album:
The album was produced by Andy Gill of Gang of Four.
Release
Killing Joke was released on 28 July 2003 by record label Zuma Recordings. It reached number 43 in the UK Albums Chart.
Critical reception
Critical reaction to Killing Joke has been mostly positive. It currently holds a 79/100 approval rating on review aggregator website Metacritic, based on fifteen reviews.
Billboard awarded it an 80 out of 100, noting that "Grohl's furious playing fits perfectly with the wall of rage erected by Joke vocalist Jaz Coleman and fellow founders Geordie Walker on guitar and Youth on bass". John Robb of Playlouder wrote that the album "may well be the best rock record you'll hear all year". David Jeffries of AllMusic wrote "While Killing Joke's discography has more than its fair share of awkward and overly ambitious albums, they've once again returned to the fury and focus of their classics".
A negative review came from Rolling Stone, who awarded the album 2 stars out of 5 and wrote that "all the humorless gloom and doom feels oppressive after a while". Q also gave a score of 2 out of 5, claiming that the album was "patchy".
In 2005, Killing Joke was ranked number 355 in Rock Hard magazine's book of The 500 Greatest Rock & Metal Albums of All Time.
Track listing
All lyrics written by Jaz Coleman; all music composed by Geordie Walker, Youth and Andy Gill, except as noted.
Personnel
Killing Joke
Additional personnel
Songs
1The Death & Resurrection Show6:56
2Total Invasion5:29
3Asteroid3:25