Killing Joke
A review of their live album 'XXV Gathering: Let Us Prey'
Review
Snapshot: Although very effective when looking for mindless heavy rock
to get angry to, this is a distinctly unimpressive album, with affected lyrics
and an seeming absence of subtlety. Advice: listen through earphones.
The Cluas Verdict: 5 out of 10.
Full Review:
Lucky for Killing Joke's post-punk madness, I was in a bad mood when I got this
album. A recording of their 25th anniversary gig which took place in London's
Shepherd's Bush Empire in February 2005, it's raw power recorded:
something in which to just lose your little headbanging teenage-angst-filled
head. However, search this album for anything exciting, original or inspiring
and you will be sorely disappointed. 15 songs, almost indistinguishable from
each other drill the same bass riffs and double-bass-pedalling in your head with
the persistence innate to only the most melodically-challenged.
The band which recently won a Kerrang! life-time achievement award is honoured
to count Dave Grohl, HIM, Marilyn Manson and hundreds of other contemporary
"rock-gods" among their fans, yet they have managed to produce an album which
totally excludes the listener, rock-god or not. An orgy of self-indulgent
metaller posturing which comes far closer to churning your stomach than
enflaming respect.
Substance is what this album lacks most, with variety running a close second.
Due in some small part no doubt to the quality of the recording itself, at times
the individual sounds of instruments working together is reduced to a single
drone, not unlike a very rhythmic hive. You can count on one hand the number of
songs in which you can actually discern a chord change. There is no clarity of
purpose but to sound loud and angry, and no clarity of sound at all, except for
the toneless rasping of the vocals which seem totally disembodied and
independent of the rest of the noise.
Still there is a song or two which stands out from the whole. 'Communion' would be
an excellent opener to a gig, if the rest of the songs didn't just feed off it
so much. 'Sun Goes Down' really moves with a strong chorus and swirling guitars,
preceding 'Are You Receiving' which, at track 13, provides the first entrance of a
real melody, and hints towards the possibilities of decent studio work. 'Total
Invasion' is more intriguing than it is enjoyable, but you'll still find it's the
one you remember most, for totally unidentifiable reasons.
Raw power it may be,
but this album could do with an injection of real emotion instead of affecting
social consciousness and depth of insight.
Anna Murray
- To buy a new or (very reasonably priced) 2nd hand copy of this album on Amazon just click here.
- Check out other CLUAS articles on heavy metal music and hard rock
