A key influence on industrial rock, their early music was described by critics Stephen Thomas Erlewine and John Dougan as well as industrial metal and "quasi-metal, dancing to a tune of doom and gloom," which gradually evolved over the years, incorporating elements of electronic music, synth-pop, gothic rock, and alternative rock, though always emphasizing Coleman's "savagely strident vocals."
Finding modest commercial success, Killing Joke have influenced many later bands, such as Nirvana, Ministry, Amen, Lamb of God, Nine Inch Nails, Napalm Death, Amebix, Big Black, Godflesh, Tool, Prong, Metallica, Primus, Jane's Addiction, Soundgarden, Foo Fighters, Faith No More, Blacklist, Shihad and Korn, all of whom have at some point cited some debt of gratitude to Killing Joke.
Unspeakable
Killing Joke Lyrics
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Unspeakable!
Facts and figures turn anticlockwise
Many signposts leading to the same place
I wonder who chose the colour scheme it's very nice
Every direction leading to the same place
keep running 'cause it's nightmare time
Unspeakablei wonder who chose the colour scheme it's very nice
I wonder who chose the colour scheme it's very nice
The lyrics to Killing Joke's song Unspeakable are open to interpretation, however, they seem to convey a sense of confusion and despair. The repeated use of the word "unspeakable" emphasises that the situation or events being referred to are beyond words, almost too horrific to be imagined or understood. The opening lines "Facts and figures the clocks turn backwards / Unspeakable! Facts and figures turn anticlockwise" suggest that time is running backwards and nothing is as it should be. This creates a sense of disorientation where events unfold in a way that defies logic and understanding.
The next line "Many signposts leading to the same place" indicates that no matter which direction one takes, the destination is the same. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for life, where no matter what choices we make, the ultimate destination is death. The line "I wonder who chose the colour scheme it's very nice" is a jarring contrast to the bleakness of the preceding lyrics. It could be interpreted as a sarcastic comment on how trivial and insignificant life's details seems in the face of unspeakable horror.
The final lines "keep running 'cause it's nightmare time / Unspeakable" suggest that the only way to deal with the horrors of the world is to keep moving and not dwell on them. The use of the word "nightmare" implies that the situation is beyond control and that there is no escape from it. Overall, the lyrics to Unspeakable depict a world that is chaotic and incomprehensible, where the only course of action is to keep moving forward even though the destination is the same.
Line by Line Meaning
Facts and figures the clocks turn backwards
The world is regressing and time is moving in reverse.
Unspeakable!
The situation is so terrible it cannot be put into words.
Facts and figures turn anticlockwise
The truth is being hidden or misrepresented.
Many signposts leading to the same place
There are multiple paths that lead to the same inevitable and undesirable destination.
I wonder who chose the colour scheme it's very nice
Even in the face of chaos and destruction, there are still hints of beauty and design.
Every direction leading to the same place
No matter which way you turn or what decisions you make, the end result is the same.
Keep running 'cause it's nightmare time
The situation is dire and the only option is to escape it.
Unspeakable I wonder who chose the colour scheme it's very nice
Repeating the previous verses to emphasize the desperation of the situation.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JEREMY COLEMAN, MATTHEW FERGUSON, MARTIN GLOVER, KEVIN WALKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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