Killing Joke - Hosannas from the Basement of Hell
Showing off a few less wrinkles than you'd possibly expect
Now in their 25th year, this squad of seminal post-punk pioneers show off a few less wrinkles than you'd possibly expect with nine tracks drenched in the Czech Republican ambience they were recorded in. The snarling industrial quake of the title track smacks of Ministry awkwardly hammering down a NIN medley (or just Killing Joke at their most aggressive), while Walking with Gods pulsates with enough menace to soundtrack any token 'Blade' discoth'que rampage scene. As composer for the Prague Symphony Orchestra, Coleman incorporates strings into Invocation, with varying effect - like David Arnold doing metal. Overall, the album trips and drives, oh it drives far, fast, elegantly, but always furiously, as though it actually is scurrying out of Hell's basement with a quickness, or maybe the door's just been left ajar while Lucifer pops over to Dubya's for tea and Jaffa Cakes, but long enough to let loose them Hosannas. [Dave Kerr]
Killing Joke play ABC, Glasgow on April 8. http://www.killingjoke.com