KILLING JOKE // BARROWLAND, BALLROOM, GLASGOW
Killing Joke storm out a packed Glasgow Barrowland Ballroom show
KILLING JOKE PERFORMING AT GLASGOW’S BARROWLAND BALLROOM - 06.11.2018
PICTURE BY: STUART WESTWOOD PHOTOGRAPHY
★★★★☆
The alternative metal that Killing Joke play has influenced a variety of alternative music heavyweights such as, Metallica, Nirvana and Nine Inch Nails. Their continuing influence is still shown by bands such as Eagulls (who covered Requiem) and LCD Soundsystem (who sampled Killing Joke on Losing my Edge) They are a band that refuse to rest on their laurels and their career spanning set at the Barrowlands encapsulate this.
After support from Blackwaters and Turbowolf, Killing Joke (made of the four original members and keyboardist Reza Udin) open with the intense metal death march of “Unspeakable” though initially the sound of the guitars is a bit quiet the problem is quickly resolved and the intricate bassline from Youth is heard loud and clear alongside frontman Jazz D deadpan vocals. They play “Autonomous Zone” from their most recent and rather heavy album “Pylon” The precision riffing highlights their thrash metal credentials and sets the tone for the evening in which Killing Joke play a wide variety of songs from their huge back catalogue.
“40 years of Killing Joke eh?” wryly comments frontman Jaz Coleman early in the set. Jaz, a deeply principled individual who now lives on an island, without electricity off the coast of New Zealand and was in fact instrumental in getting the New Zealand national anthem translated into Maori. He’s a lively presence throughout the set, manically gesturing to the lyrics throughout, wide eyed and marching around to the militant instrumental “Bloodsport”. He also comments disapprovingly upon Brexit and Donald Trump and reveals his steadfast belief in some 9/11 conspiracy theories.
The show continues as they launch into the instantly recognisable riff of “Eighties” with breakneck speed. The lurching hypnotic groove of “Requiem” provokes a big crowd singalong as they chant along with Jaz’s caveman growl. The distinctive guitar style of Geordie Walker, repeated melodies and chiming arpeggios shows how inventive and distinctive Killing Joke have always been. Though the set lulls slightly with Asteroid, as it’s repetitive riff and lyrics drags and become monotonous. Killing Joke quickly regain any lost momentum with set highlight “The Wait” the impassioned vocals and urgent guitars thrill and illustrate the songs prescient message a concern about the impact humans have on the environment and the future this could lead to.
The band play an encore, which includes “Love Like Blood” dedicated to a former member of Killing Joke, Paul Raven. The dark yet catchy chorus is another highlight. This well received set from Killing Joke demonstrates that even after 40 years they are more relevant than ever before.
SETLIST: | KILLING JOKE : BARROWLAND BALLROOM, GLASGOW - 06.11.2018
Unspeakable
European Super State
Autonomous Zone
Eighties
New Cold War
Requiem
Bloodsport
Follow the Leaders
Butcher
Loose Cannon
Labyrinth
Corporate Elect
Asterioid
The Wait
Pssyche
ENCORE:
SO36
Love Like Blood
Wardance
The Death and Resurrection Show
Pandemonium