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 Read Full BioKilling Joke is an English post-punk group which formed in October 1978 in Notting Hill, London, England. Founding members Jaz Coleman (vocals, keyboards) and Geordie Walker (guitars) have been the only constant members.
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.
Lord of Chaos
Killing Joke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning | Line by Line Meaning
Insects will rule when weβ²ve had our go
Our rise and fall, our stewardship, our temper tantrums
Our art, our excellence, our hubris, poverty and greed
Flash points everywhere
And everybody's scared
Complex systems failure
And the lord of chaos is in
All things must pass, oceans bereft of life
A fungal bloom allows no light, the depths no longer rise
As we dine in streets of filth and close our eyes
While the world is burning and all the sΠ΅as rise
Flash points everywhΠ΅re
And everybodyβ²s scared
Complex systems failure
And the lord of chaos is in
Killing Joke's "Lord of Chaos" is a song about the downfall of humanity due to our obsession with power and the consequences of our actions. The lyrics describe our fatal attraction to bright lights and loud explosions, symbolic of our fascination with wealth and technology. As we continue to exploit the Earth's resources, insects will eventually take over and rule. The song reflects on our stewardship of the planet, our temper tantrums, our art, our excellence, our hubris, poverty, and greed.
The chorus of "Lord of Chaos" highlights the fear and uncertainty that exists within our world. The flashpoints everywhere, people are scared, and complex systems are bound to fail. The Lord of Chaos represents the moral corruption of humanity and the chaos that will ensue if we continue to ignore the warning signs.
The lyrics paint a bleak picture of our future, using images of a world without life, darkness, and oceans that no longer rise. As we continue to dine in streets of filth and denial of the destruction we have caused, the world around us burns, and the seas keep rising. The song ultimately serves as a warning and reminder of the consequences of our actions and the necessity for change.
Line by Line Meaning
Fatal attraction to bright lights, and loud explosions
The tendency to be drawn towards things that can be visually or audibly stimulating, even if they're potentially dangerous.
Insects will rule when we've had our go
The belief that insects will likely survive longer than humans and will ultimately become the dominant species.
Our rise and fall, our stewardship, our temper tantrums
The description of human history, including our periods of growth and decline, our responsibility for the world, and our childish behavior at times.
Our art, our excellence, our hubris, poverty and greed
This line suggests that the best and the worst of human nature are both present in our society.
Flash points everywhere
Instances where everything could quickly change or escalate due to tension or conflict occurring in different parts of the world.
And everybody's scared
The collective fear that people experience as a result of the many threats and uncertainties in the world.
Complex systems failure
A large-scale breakdown of different systems in place that are meant to keep the world functioning, leading to chaos and disorder.
And the lord of chaos is in
The implication that a powerful and destructive entity or force is behind the chaos that is happening in the world.
All things must pass, oceans bereft of life
An acknowledgment that nothing lasts forever, and that even the oceans which are teeming with life now will one day be devoid of it.
A fungal bloom allows no light, the depths no longer rise
Describing a scenario where the whole ecosystem of the ocean has been disrupted such that there isn't any light-filtering through. The nutrients don't make it up from the deep waters, leading to the death of a significant number of marine life. This happens because of a sudden algae bloom caused by widespread pollution.
As we dine in streets of filth and close our eyes
The wealthy live in cities full of pollution, garbage, and excrement, but they choose to be blind to it and continue to enjoy their comfortable lives.
While the world is burning and all the seas rise
The world is facing a crisis as natural calamities, climate change, and pollution take a heavy toll, while the powerful people are doing nothing to stop it.
Writer(s): Geordie, Jaz Coleman, Paul Ferguson, Youth
Contributed by Logan H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Count Iblis
Fatal attraction to bright lights and loud explosions
Insects will rule when we've had our go
Our rise and fall, our stewardship, our temper tantrums
Our art, our excellence, our hubris, poverty and greed
Flash points everywhere
And everybody's scared
Complex systems failure
And the lord of chaos is in
All things must pass, oceans bereft of life
A fungal bloom allows no light, the depths no longer rise
As we dine in streets of filth and close our eyes
While the world is burning and all the sΠ΅as rise
Flash points everywhΠ΅re
And everybody's scared
Complex systems failure
And the lord of chaos is in
grey eminence
Well said, I'd have not made in out of Manhattan without Absolute Dissent. Nighttime got me before all this as did New Cold War. I formerly study Geopolitics and Economic History, you don't see a band know the Artic is the great war theater just at random. Cerebral and spiritual with enough righteous anger to match the crimes.
But I think there's a great awakening, something changed, collective spirit. I find, Outside the Gate prophetic often. The Calling's lyrics are this very moment now. Prophetic and sublimely comforting.
an excerpt
"I hear the calling
calling the faithful to find themselves
do not trust the beggars who expose their poverty of spirit
Arise, arise, stand upright and take pride in who and what you are,
great changes are coming and you will be asked to identify yourself "
12567367- 00
Lord Of Chaos"
Fatal attraction to bright lights and loud explosions
Insects will rule when we've had our go
Our rise and fall, our stewardship, our temper tantrums
Our art, our excellence, our hubris, poverty and greed
Flash points everywhere
And everybody's scared
Complex systems failure
And the lord of chaos is in
All things must pass, oceans bereft of life
A fungal bloom allows no light, the depths no longer rise
As we dine in streets of filth and close our eyes
While the world is burning and all the seas rise
Flash points everywhere
And everybody's scared
Complex systems failure
And the lord of chaos is in
Play "Lord Of Chaos"
on Pandora
Writer(s): Geordie, Jaz Coleman, Paul Ferguson, Youth
Erik Thiart
The most underrated band in history.
Absolutely one of the most important bands ever in human history.
Noel O SULLIVAN
Killing Joke are far from underrated.
RetroLongplayPit
The only band who screams about reality in the raw. They vomit up this sick world.
Bob Klijn
@RetroLongplayPit that is exactly how Big Paul Ferguson described KJ's sound: The Sound Of The Earth Vomiting..
Lemur369Tesla
You kidding? I was in concert. Every people was like after drugs or they was in specific trance mood. I just stay like i never stay on concert. Is not music for good people now maybe in past was but they changed personalities everything.
Noel O SULLIVAN
@Lemur369Tesla You missed the point of Killing Joke.
MetalEd 72
For me personally Killing Joke and 70s Sabbath are the two most important bands in the history of heavy/aggressive music. This new material just proves how great and criminally underrated this band has always been.
Andrey Voronov
This is the prophecy song released just before the war Russia with Ukraine
Gonzo
Couldn't have put it better dude, I'm a younger guy, I'm 22, I only got into metal back in 2019, and now I'm seeing Killing Joke next month, I'm super excited!
Jean B. Couvrette
I agree so much with you.