Disco de Killing Joke: “Pandemonium”

The simple truth is that Killing Joke were a wholy unregonised band of there era. While they had some fans among the critics (noteably John Peel) they were never overwhelmingly succesful. Why I have no idea. Pandemonium is disputably there best effort as a whole. Though the camps among fans are firmly split on this, each album virtually has its own backers as the best, however over all their debut and Night Time seem to be the most popular ones. Pandemonium crushes with brute power wrapped in melody. The rythmic dance beat preceded such bands as NIN and did it better by far. The most amazing about Killing Joke has been there lyrical content. Never has such a band be so confronting and passionate. On "Millennium" Jaz Coleman takes a look around at the world and concludes it might not be far off to the apocalypse (a favourite subject of his). "Jana" deals with HIV AIDS, and is the most passionate dark songs I've ever heard on the topic. Coleman's vocals are unique half Ozzy wailing half Strummer splutter, and simply magnify the terror of the music. The concluding track "Mathematics of Chaos" is a sumblime piece of insane rage focussed cynically at a world that its on the brink. This is the sound track to the apocalypse.

I doubt that you have heard any music like this. It's dark and overpowering but has a musical quality that mesmerizes. I'm in a mood to listen to this only rarely, but then, it's perfect. This is one of those rare episodes of creativity that few bands manage. I can only hope that Killing Joke will continue to explore the fringes.

NOw this is an incredible album. The Joke had been away fore away and came back with this most incredible album that is a mix of hard rock and their older style. This is probably their best album overall. The sound has not aged and the music is very dark and melodic.

This album to this day still kicks ass. I like Fire Dances, NightTime, and the 2003 album alot but this record takes the cake for heavy groove layden songs. Bad ass. Killing Joke rules.

when this album hits its mark, it is utterly monolithic in its scale and intensity. tracks like millennium, exorcism and pandemonium represent killing joke at their height. however, many of the other tracks are surprisingly weak by comparison. all three of the above tracks were also released in multiple single formats with various combinations of remixes, etc. i'd have to say that while this album is an essential for the killing joke completist, the singles will probably get more play on your hifi.