Killing Joke by Killing Joke

Killing Joke's eleventh studio album came out on 28 July 2003, their first in seven years, and the second time the London band had named a record after themselves, a nod back to the 1980 debut. The two constants, Jaz Coleman and guitarist Geordie Walker, were still at the wheel with Paul Raven back in the ranks, and they brought in a guest behind the kit: Dave Grohl of Nirvana and Foo Fighters, a long-time fan whose old band had counted Killing Joke among its influences, played every drum part on it.

It's a brutal homecoming. Walker's guitar grinds like heavy machinery, Coleman roars over the top like a prophet with a grudge, and the whole thing leans hard into metal. Critics mostly cheered the heavier turn, "Seeing Red" among the highlights, and the album reached 43 on the UK Albums Chart.

Written with AI assistance from RockLists chart data, MusicBrainz and Wikipedia.