Killing Joke is the twelfth studio album by
Killing Joke, released on July 28, 2003 by
Zuma Recordings. Recording for the album in 2002 marked the end of a six year hiatus that began in 1996 and it was Killing Joke's first studio album in seven years. Produced by
Andy Gill of
Gang of Four, the album featured long-time Killing Joke fan
Dave Grohl on drums. This is also Killing Joke's second self-titled album, as an effect of the hiatus.
The song "The Death & Resurrection Show" was featured as part of the soundtrack of the video game
Need for Speed Underground 2 and
The Covenant movie soundtrack.
Production
Vocalist
Jaz Coleman and drummer Grohl originally intended to title the album
Axis of Evil, in reference to the political lyrical themes: "It's the beginning of the American Empire. They're taking over the world. That's what's happening, and here we are at the heart of the fucking enemy. I never thought I'd see the day."
The Death & Resurrection Show, the title of the opening song on the album, was also a
working title. Carrie Borzillo-Vrenna,
Rolling Stone, 10 April 2003
Bassist
Paul Raven had recently met Grohl, who expressed an interest in working with the band. According to Coleman: "The original idea was to have three of our favorite drummers play on the album, Dave being one of...
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