Pandemonium
It's been good to see Killing Joke getting some deserved recognition from the music press over the last few years, for a long time they were virtually ignored by all except the faithful and it seems to be paying off as they play to a near capacity crowd at Manchester Academy 2. They have dabbled with numerous styles over their 27 year career from the angry post punk of the first album, through synth layered pop in the mid 80's and eventually (thankfully!) ending up at the intense, post industrial hardcore that has been fairly constant over the last 15 years.
Tonight they are due on at 9pm but don't actually take the stage until 9.30 and whilst this half an hour wait frustrates some, for others it just heightens the expectation. Finally the elongated intro music fades and the band take to the stage to a huge reaction, Jaz Coleman follows a few seconds later and from a distance it seems nothing has changed since the early 80's, sporting a black boiler suit and his trademark black and white warpaint make up he still cuts an intimidating figure. As they break into 'Communion' the sound is big and intense as you'd expect, although a little too distorted Geordie's guitars are unmistakeable, whilst Coleman's vocals are gruff but clearly audible.
Perhaps mindful of the fact that there are those unconvinced by the newer material they throw in a smattering of classics early on, 'Wardance' and 'Requiem' in particular still manage to hit the spot. Of the new material the highlight is definitely recent single 'Hosannas from the Basements of Hell', the stage is bathed in red lights and smoke and it's a stunning rendition full of energy and power. Coleman spits out the vocals with an intense passion as he stares manically out into the crowd, the song fits in perfectly with the rest of the set and surely dispels any doubts about whether the Killing Joke of 2006 can still deliver the goods. There are still the odd one or two amongst the crowd who remain unconvinced however and it should be noted that if you're unfamiliar with much of the recent material the heavily distorted sound can make the dynamics get lost in the mix, resulting in a relentless cacophony of noise, that said however it is a rather glorious noise!
The real highlights come towards the end however with back to back renditions of 'The Wait' and 'Psyche', both of which find the crowd in fine voice and are the perfect end to the first part of the set. The encore consists of two songs from 1994's Pandemonium album, 'Whiteout' and the title track 'Pandemonium' round it all off in a crushing crescendo of intense rhythms. Despite having had to put the tour back a few weeks due to bass player Raven leaving at short notice, Killing Joke still manage to deliver a tight and thoroughly intense performance. The band have at times been their own worst enemies but with a solid new album and an intensely loyal fan base there is much to build on, let's hope they can keep it together!