Revelations [Extra tracks, Import, Original recording remastered]

Killing Joke | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 11, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks, Import, Original recording remastered
• Label: EMI Europe Generic
• ASIN: B0009RRRDM
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #130,822 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Killing Joke Started on the Unemployment Line. Whether Fact Or Fiction, it was While Waiting in Line at a British Unemployment Office in Late 78 Early '79, that Singer/Keyboardist Jeremy "Jaz" Coleman Ran Into a Friend and Started Discussing his Musical Aspirations. Upon Hearing Coleman Speak, the Friend Said, "i have Someone You Should Meet," and Later Brought Him to a London Flat, Where Drummer Paul Ferguson was Waiting. Just Over 25 Years Since the Release of their First Album ‘killing Joke’ Through E.g. Records, the Band Return to the Gig Circuit on Support Slots for Motley Crue’s Arena Tours in June 2005. Following this Tour, EMI Marketing Release Four of their Albums, Now Newly Remastered and with Added Bonus Tracks. The Artwork for Each Album Has Been Cleaned Up by Original Designer Mike Coles and all Bonus Tracks have Been Carefully Chosen by the Band Themselves.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Their Most Interesting, Exotic Record. For Adults., November 5, 2005

By 

ThrEaD NUGENT (Newport Beach, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Revelations (Audio CD)

The sleeve art says it all. Embroidered name on a rich blue satin field. KJ at this point knew they acheived a new level of 'art.' I bought this record in 1984 and have listened to it ever since. It is a staple so to speak. KJ's 3rd record is brilliant; a more dark, tribal, and sophisticated release than the previous 2 records (which I love as well). I understand why people can't get into this one as this takes time and patience to sink in....Most people want instant musical gratification so if you are THAT person skip Revelations. W/ that said the material on Revelations is heavy, angry, medieval, and describes an insane (cold war) world on the verge of apocalypse. The Hum's droning phased/reverb riff sets the mood of the record. Empire Song drives the record and band into new heights. Conrad Plank's production is perfect for KJ. He brought out what would become a trademark sound for many records to come. We Have Joy is a manic potshot at the West....Chop Chop, one of the singles released from Revelations is strangely catchy...The Pandys are Coming is a brilliant but creepy and unsettling song. I picture this song as their 'trumpets' of impending doom, the armies of evil are coming and cannot be stopped. Great imagery...heavy stuff. Have a Nice Day is another driving song w/ Paul's groovy tribal drums.....Too bad Sun Goes Down, Brilliant and Birds of a Feather weren't added....I played those singles to death growing up......The record ends the Dregs, intense, urgent music over which Jaz intentionally rants, raves, coughs, and stumbles through meaningless lyrics....lost on many listeners.....Dregs closes the record as an unhappy ending to a movie....Leaving the listener stunned...absolutley effective....not a bluff....Overall this record/remaster is a gem, some slow moments but by the time they arrive one is so taken by the lyrics/content/message that it all fits...The remastered sound is amazing. As a hardcore fan for 21 years this is one of my faves by KJ. Definitely a record explore w/ headphones, the lyric book and a glass of wine.....essential.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Much needed upgrade., August 9, 2005

By 

Michael Stack (North Chelmsford, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Revelations (Audio CD)

Killing Joke's third album, 1982's "Revelations" is a pretty drastic departure-- working for the first time with an outside producer, Conny Plank, the is a cleaner sound-- more separation between the instruments rather than the somewhat muddy sound of the previous records-- this is further accentuated by a more metallic sound in the guitar.

The album maintains the sort of edgy apocalyptic vision of previous records, but Coleman's lyrics have moved into a somewhat ranting direction-- sometimes it succeeds ("We Have Joy"), but more often than not, it fails to sustain interest ("The Pandys Are Coming", "Chapter III" or the awful "Dregs"). And with the production uniform and consistent, and the album consisting largely of similar tempo and feel among the numbers, plus Coleman experimenting with his new singing style (he'd get it down right in a couple albums), the material really doesn't hold together well.

Its got its moments-- the album opens decent enough with "Empire Song" being one of the real highlights, and "Chop-Chop" barring annoying vocal is really amongst the most varied of early Killing Joke material, but beyond that, the album generally fails to sustain my interest.

The remastered release features much improved sound-- it's quite a bit more in your face while maintaining a claustrophobic feel. The reissue is also augmented by one bonus track, an alternate mix of "We Have Joy"-- I haven't done a side-by-side comparison, but I'm fairly certain this is the same mix included on "For Beginners", it's not particularly exciting either way and it doesn't sound nearly as nice as the rest of the record. The artwork has been expanded by Mike Coles (who did most of the original Killing Joke artwork but not this one) and includes the lyrics. It really is quite attractive looking on the inside of the booklet, and it definitely is an improvement over the previous issue's art.

It could be I'd think higher of this album outside of the context of the first two records, but it just doesn't hold up to them-- I'd recommend checking them out instead-- 1980's "Killing Joke" or 1981's "what's THIS for...!".

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant guitar sound, September 12, 2007

By 

Scooterjohn (Hawaii) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Revelations (Audio CD)

Having a younger sister that worked for Tower records at the time, I was already familiar with KG when this one was released. "The Hum": what can I say? The dark and grinding guitar sound is fantastic, and with "Empire Song" and "We Have Joy" following...they covered the price of admission right there. I'm not too keen on "The Pandies Are Coming", but this album could create hours of discussion on guitar tones alone.

As luck would have it, I caught the tour for this album...and rarely has any band been so mesmerizing in a live setting. I can recall Geordie never looking down at his guitar, and telling a bloke that wanted to "slam dance" with me "Sorry, I don't want to miss any of what this guitar playing is doing".

I just ordered the DVD...I'm hopeful, even without "The Hum" included.