Killing Joke
- Type: Band/Group
- Country: United Kingdom
- Born: August 4, 1979 in London, England, United Kingdom
- Active: 1978 - 2023
Biography
Killing Joke are a highly influential English band formed in London who emerged from the post-punk scene with a darker, heavier, and more abrasive sound. The core lineup of Jaz Coleman, Geordie Walker, Youth, and Paul Ferguson pioneered a style that blended tribal rhythms, jagged guitar riffs, and Coleman's ferocious vocals. Their music evolved from the raw aggression of their 1980 self-titled debut to incorporate gothic, electronic, and metal elements, achieving mainstream success with the 1985 album 'Night Time' and its single 'Love Like Blood'. Cited as a key influence on industrial rock, alternative, and metal acts like *Nine Inch Nails*, *Nirvana*, and *Metallica*, the band's apocalyptic worldview and sonic intensity have remained a constant.
Genres
Killing Joke Discography
- Almost Red (1979) - EP - rated 3.6/5
- Killing Joke (1980) - Album - rated 3.74/5
- What's THIS For...! (1981) - Album - rated 3.74/5
- Revelations (1982) - Album - rated 3.31/5
- Fire Dances (1983) - Album - rated 3.39/5
- Night Time (1985) - Album - rated 4.07/5
- Brighter Than a Thousand Suns (1986) - Album - rated 3.77/5
- Outside the Gate (1988) - Album - rated 2.7/5
- Extremities, Dirt and Various Repressed Emotions (1990) - Album - rated 3.72/5
- Pandemonium (1994) - Album - rated 3.99/5
- Democracy (1996) - Album - rated 3.59/5
- War Dance: The Remixes (1998) - Compilation
- Absolute Dissent (2010) - Album - rated 3.7/5
- MMXII (2012) - Album - rated 3.69/5
- Pylon (2015) - Album - rated 3.67/5
Members
- Jaz Coleman - lead vocals, keyboards (1978–2023)
- Geordie Walker - guitar (1979–2023)
- Paul Ferguson - drums (1978–1987; 2008–2023)
- Youth - bass (1978–1982; 1994–1996; 2002–2023)
- Paul Raven - bass (1982–1987; 2003–2007)
- Geoff Dugmore - drums (1994–1996)