This is the Killing Joke’s second album, released back in ’81. I remember Sounds magazine giving it a 5 star review at the time and thinking, “what the hell were they were smoking?” Of course, I was in full on metal mode at the time and it wasn’t until a few years later that I discovered what a superb influential band they were.
The grooves and rhythms they used were completely unique at the time and have been much copied since. Listen to Tension, with that pounding tribal drum groove and a simple distorted guitar, so many bands since have used that and still do. Follow The Leaders was the big song from this album, again with that super loud drum blast, distorted guitar, and a pulsing synth that is very reminiscent of Giorgio Moroder. Lots of styles clashing together here. My favourite though is Butcher, which when you listen to it now you wonder if Trent Reznor took this as inspiration. They have released better albums since but this was a very pivotal record for its time.
7.5/10 from The Grooveman.
