Staff Reviews

Killing Joke - Pylon

Review by Andy McDonald

Pylon is particularly potent, pissed off and primitive»

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With a reputation forged in fire, brimstone and magic, plus a collective view of the world that seems increasingly prophetic, Killing Joke have long been one of rock's most iconic and influential names, with a string of revered recordings to their name. Their story (and it's an extraordinary one) dates back to 1978 and the post-punk scene of West London, where classically-trained musician and vocalist Jaz Coleman, drummer Big Paul Ferguson, bassist Youth and guitarist Geordie set about establishing a new and idiosyncratic manifesto for reinventing the rock 'n' roll wheel. Since 2009, when this original line-up re-entered the studio, Spinefarm Records has been the home for the band, releasing the 'Absolute Dissent' album in 2010, the 'MMXII' album in 2012 and the 'Singles Collection' in 2013; and now, in 2015, with the world descending ever further into chaos, comes 16th and latest studio outing, 'Pylon'. As with all KJ releases, 'Pylon' isn't designed to accompany a quiet night at home; these 10 tracks (produced by the band and Tom Dalgety, whose recent credits include the hugely successful Royal Blood album) are very much music as ritual - raw, uncompromising and precisely-targeted lyrically. While other bands of a certain vintage may struggle to maintain their edge, Killing Joke are delivering the best and most relevant material of their career, with Geordie's eclectic guitar tones - delivered at arresting volume through a hollow-bodied Gibson ES-295 - continuing to define the black beating heart of the group.
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