Killing Joke

Killing Joke are an English rock band formed in Cheltenham, England in 1979 by Jaz Coleman (vocals, keyboards), Paul Ferguson (drums), Geordie Walker (guitar) and Youth (bass).

Their first album, Killing Joke, was released in 1980. After the release of Revelations in 1982, bassist Youth was replaced by Paul Raven. The band achieved mainstream success in 1985 with the album Night Time and particularly the single “Love Like Blood” which reached the top ten in Belgium, the Netherlands and New Zealand.

The band’s musical style emerged from the post-punk scene, but stood out due to their heavier approach, and has been cited as a key influence on industrial rock. Their style evolved over many years, at times incorporating elements of gothic rock, synth-pop and electronic music, but always featuring Walker’s prominent guitar and Coleman’s “savagely strident vocals”. Killing Joke have influenced many later bands and artists, such as Metallica, Nirvana, Nine Inch Nails and Soundgarden.

Following Raven’s sudden death in 2007, all four founding members returned to the band’s lineup the following year. Coleman and Walker were the only constant members of the band until Walker’s death in 2023.

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