Killing Joke Reminds Us That Reunions Don't All Suck

Re-formed and pissed as hell.

​"Moving Units" has many connotations, including this crappy dance-punk band and selling mad records, but herein is an album that moved Radio-Active Records' Mike Ramirez and County Grind to have an effusive discussion about it.

The Setup:
Absolute Dissent, Killing Joke's 13th album, finally welcomes the long-awaited return of the original lineup from their formative years of 1979 to 1982. Regrouped after the momentous blow of the death of longtime bassist Paul Raven, Absolute Dissent captures the early postpunk fever combined with the melodic grandeur of their mid-'80s gothic/new wave tenure. Drummer Paul Ferguson, away for more than 26 years, has shown no signs of slowing down as his machine-like precision perfectly complements the dubby low-end of bassist Youth Glover. Guitarist Geordie Walker and lead singer/keyboardist Jaz Coleman have been the Jagger/Richards of this band's output and the only two members to survive every incarnation of the band.

How excited were you about the re-formation of the original lineup?

Very! It's a longshot seeing those guys play live in the States, especially in areas that are not major markets. And they are notorious for fighting each other and canceling shows. I had tickets in April to see them the same week with Public Image Limited, and they postponed the dates until December.

Is this any different from the average cash grab?

I would have no idea. I think one would be foolish to think that cash doesn't play a part in any reunion. But on the other hand, their contemporaries simply just ride the nostalgia wave and are unable to get world tours and labels to even show interest if they are making a new album. And for a label like Universal to pick up the band and give them a world tour knowing their maintenance level is quite difficult, that says a lot about the integrity and output of the band.

Sell me on this like I'm a total noob.

The new album features 12 tracks that are a melting pot of sludge-soaked industrial post-punk metal and electro/dance indie rock. There's even a dub track to finish off the album. Don't let the genre-hopping fool you; Killing Joke are the rare example of a band that can encapsulate different grooves and songwriting approaches that even after 30 years will still have tricks up their sleeve that aren't as outdated as some of their contemporaries. Highlight tracks include the electro-pop dance single "European Super State"; the anthemic opening title track; a synth-driven ballad "The Raven King," which is an ode to their recently deceased ex-bassist; and the '80s-ish "Here Comes the Singularity."

Is "The Raven King" a fitting lyrical tribute, then?

I'm sure that had a lot to do with the reunion. But I'm more of a groove guy. I can only take so many lyrics about nuclear arms and atomic rubble.

Hearing Killing Joke in 2010 conjures images of...

Oppression.

Anything else?

You would always hear a Killing Joke song in a goth club. Also, I think it's because they were able to fuse the best genres together without making a mess of it. Postpunk, industrial, goth, dub, new wave, metal... and they were able to do it in one song sometimes.