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In recent years, there's been a conspicuous lack of bands with something to say in rock 'n' roll. There's also been a lack of genuine characters in popular music as well - not the whole NYC "too cool for youse" types like the Strokes but the genuine loose cannon types who are exciting simply for their unpredictability.
This is why, now more than ever, the world NEEDS a band like Killing Joke. Wandering on stage tonight with Jaz and Paul Raven looking like some freakish post-apocalyptic punk survivors (guitarist Geordie Walker, ever the straight man, is clad in a standard T-shirt and combats), they proceed to whip up a truly incendiary racket at the Met tonight.
Containing a fairly even mix of old favourites ("Wardance", "Requiem", "The Wait", "A New Day", "Empire Song" although no "Love Like Blood" sadly) and the new ("Asteroid", "The Death And Resurrection Show", "Blood On Your Hands", "Seeing Red", "Loose Cannon"), this is the sort of music some people would tell you is dead - music that not only challenges you to get up and think about how the government is screwing you over without once being patronising but also fucking well ROCKS as well.
Given that it's seven years since Killing Joke's last album, it's unfortunately probably a fair guess to say that it may be a while before we see them again. But we can hope that a few young impressionable minds see this tour, take in the information and form a new generation of similarly-minded political firebrand punk/metal bands. Because the world could certainly do with a few more of them in these desperate times.
Reviewed by Andy James
