Music Review: Killing Joke - Pylon

Killing Joke embody so much of what made late 70s/early 80s post punk amazing - brooding lyrics half sung, half screamed by a wide-eyed Jaz Coleman over a backdrop of edgy guitars and driving bass. The last couple of Killing Joke releases, however, seemed to have lost much of that strength that the band has been known for. This year, the group returned with Pylon. Long story made short - this may actually be one of their best albums ever.

2015's Pylon album cover

The groups previous efforts with the reunited original lineup (consisting of Jaz Coleman, Martin "Youth" Glover, Paul Ferguson, and Kevin "Geordie" Walker), 2010's Absolute Dissent and 2012's MMXII, were strong ventures in their own rights, but don't stand up as well compared to the prior efforts of the group. For as strong a band as they were, it seemed more and more that Killing Joke would be on a path of constantly trying to recreate the flame they once had in the 80s, coming close each time, but not quite fully igniting. With Pylon, the fire is finally burning strong and bright.

The album opens with perhaps my personal favorite, "Autonomous Zone." A catchy drum and bass driven number (love that small flourish of a bass solo lick Youth cranks out when everything else drops out), Coleman paints a picture of what humanity should strive for - end to war, but an end to mindless control, as well.

Pylon then winds through songs like distortion-laden "Dawn of the Hive," which carries the auditory equivalent of a beehive and playing follow the leader blindly, to the absolutely relevant, brooding "New Cold War," which outlines some of the recent tensions between the West and the East.

"Euphoria" loses much of the industrial distortion of the prior tracks, instead donning more of a new wave feel and lacking the yelling Coleman was known for. Instead of sticking out awkwardly, however, the song provides a nice transitional point in the album, signaling a change of pace from the driving beats of the first few songs to the slower riff-heavy songs like "New Jerusalem" and "War on Freedom."

The album wraps up with lead single "I Am the Virus," a driving more punk-styled number set to Coleman's chant-worthy yells, helping wrap the album in much the same way as it began. "Into the Unknown" officially rounds off the album, guitar-driven, yet smooth, clean, and certainly catchy, leaving the listener anticipating more, but being left on that cliff hanger ending with nothing further to fall on.

Killing Joke's original lineup. Left to right: Martin "Youth" Glover, Jaz Coleman, Paul Ferguson, Kevin "Geordie" Walker

Of this year's offerings, Pylon may well be at the top of my list. It's every bit as much a classic nod to the old Killing Joke mixed with a healthy dose of new ideas, emerging as one of their strongest albums to date. Killing Joke begin their tour of North America in January. The group will play here in Dallas at the Granada Theatre on January 21, marking the first time in 22 years that the band has visited North Texas. This is not a show to miss. Tickets are on sale now through the Granada Theatre's ticketing site.