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.
Absolute Dissent
Killing Joke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I won't relent
I oppose poison water
I reject poison air
I expose poison bodies
I refuse complicity
I reject this prison planet
Absolute dissent
I won't relent
I abhor space weaponization - genocidal plans
From Jeckle Island to Chemtrails
Unelected control
I reject this poison planet
I reject and resent
Absolute dissent
I won't relent
Brainwashed masses fit for fodder
Useless eaters - condemn
Eradicate the worthless breeders
I oppose, resist, foment
I reject this poison planet
I reject and resent
Absolute dissent
I won't relent
The lyrics of Killing Joke’s “Absolute Dissent” are an expression of the band’s philosophical and political views on the state of the world. The song is a call to oppose the corruption and exploitation that is pervasive in society in various forms. The opening lines, “Absolute dissent, I won't relent,” set the tone for the song's defiant attitude, declaring the singers' intention to resist the oppressive structures they see around them.
Throughout the song, Killing Joke voices their opposition to environmental destruction, mind control, and power structures that seek to manipulate and subjugate people. The lines “I oppose poison water, I reject poison air, I expose poison bodies” criticize the exploitation of natural resources for financial gain, often leading to environmental disasters that endanger human and other species. The song also targets the military-industrial complex and the use of space weapons, suggesting that such endeavors are genocidal and immoral.
The final lines of the song, “Brainwashed masses fit for fodder, useless eaters – condemn, eradicate the worthless breeders,” express disdain for those who blindly follow authority and commodify human life. The song is a powerful call to resist systems of oppression and stand up for truth, justice, and equality.
Line by Line Meaning
Absolute dissent
I will not compromise on my stand
I won't relent
I will not give up
I oppose poison water
I am against contaminated water
I reject poison air
I refuse to breathe polluted air
I expose poison bodies
I bring to light the damages caused by toxins in our bodies
I refuse complicity
I do not support corrupt practices
I reject this prison planet
I will not live in a world that restricts my freedom
I reject and resent
I refuse to accept and am angry about it
Absolute dissent
I will not compromise on my stand
I won't relent
I will not give up
I abhor space weaponization - genocidal plans
I hate the idea of using space technology for killing people
From Jeckle Island to Chemtrails
From conspiracy theories regarding bank cartels to chemtrails in the air, I reject everything
Unelected control
I am against decisions taken by people in power without being democratically elected
I reject this poison planet
I refuse to live on a planet filled with toxins
I reject and resent
I refuse to accept and am angry about it
Absolute dissent
I will not compromise on my stand
I won't relent
I will not give up
Brainwashed masses fit for fodder
People manipulated and programmed by others are being used as material for destruction
Useless eaters - condemn
People who consume resources without contributing anything are worth condemning
Eradicate the worthless breeders
People who reproduce without being productive to society should be removed
I oppose, resist, foment
I take a stand against, fight against, and inspire rebellion against corrupt practices
I reject this poison planet
I refuse to live on a planet filled with toxins
I reject and resent
I refuse to accept and am angry about it
Absolute dissent
I will not compromise on my stand
I won't relent
I will not give up
Contributed by Brayden Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Inside Bilderberg
on Age Of Greed
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on Love Like Blood
One of my all time favorite songs.