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.
I Am The Virus
Killing Joke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Calculated waves of fear
Drawn up by think tanks
Theres a darkness in the west
Oil swilling
Guzzling corporates
Central banking
I am the fury
The spirit of outrage
I am the fire
I am the virus
I am the virus
I am the furnace
Where resentment glows
I am the bias
I am the virus
I am the virus
False flags and Black Ops
Tavistock manufactured shocks
Something's gone horribly wrong
Hot flushes for the Neo-con
A population
In deep denial
Contagion released
From a Phial
I am the fury
The spirit of outrage
I am the fire
I am the virus
I am the virus
I am the furnace
Where resentment glows
I am the bias
I am the virus
I am the virus
I am the Hydra-headed beast
I am the worm you can never delete
I am the dangers that never sleeps
I am the virus
I am the virus
I am the fury
The spirit of outrage
I am the fire
I am the virus
I am the virus
No one believes
In nine-eleven
Steel frame buildings
Don't fall in seconds
Murderers in black robes
Decapitate innocents
The public banks stare
Did you sleep ok last night, Mr Blair?
I am the fury
The spirit of outrage
I am the fire
I am the virus
I am the virus
I am the furnace
Where resentment glows
I am the bias
I am the virus
I am the virus
I am the Hydra-headed beast
I am the worm you can never delete
I am the dangers that never sleeps
I am the virus
I am the virus
I am the fury
The spirit of outrage
I am the fire
I am the virus
I am the virus
I am the fury
The spirit of outrage
I am the fire
I am the virus
I am the virus
I am the furnace
Where resentment glows
I am the bias
I am the virus
I am the virus
The lyrics to Killing Joke's "I Am The Virus" are a commentary on the darkness and corruption that the band sees in society. The song speaks to the destructive forces that exist within the systems that govern our lives, including corporations, central banks, and think tanks. The repetition of the lines "I am the virus" reinforces the idea that these forces are pervasive and destructive, like a disease that infects everything in its path.
The lines about false flags, Tavistock manufactured shocks, and the public banks staring suggest that there is a deeper, more sinister agenda at work, one that is hidden from the public. The lyrics also touch on controversial topics such as the 9/11 attacks and the actions of politicians like Tony Blair, implying that they are complicit in the spread of this destructive virus.
Overall, the lyrics suggest a sense of anger and frustration at the state of the world, and a call to action to resist the forces that seek to control and manipulate us.
Line by Line Meaning
Death misery and tears
The world is filled with suffering and despair.
Calculated waves of fear
Governments and think tanks intentionally create fear in society to control the population.
Drawn up by think tanks
Ideas and policies are created by elite organizations rather than genuine public debate.
Theres a darkness in the west
Western society is plagued by corruption and sinister forces.
Oil swilling
Corporations are heavily involved in the oil industry, which has significant power and influence over global politics.
Guzzling corporates
Large companies prioritize profit over the health and wellbeing of individuals and the environment.
Central banking
The banking system is controlled by a small group of people who use it to their advantage.
Mind-fucking omnipotence
Those in power use propaganda and manipulation to control and subdue the masses.
I am the fury
The artist is filled with anger and righteous indignation.
The spirit of outrage
The artist is fueled by a passionate desire to fight back and reject the status quo.
I am the fire
The singer symbolizes the spark of rebellion and resistance.
I am the virus
The artist is determined to spread their message and infect others with their ideology.
I am the furnace
The singer is a source of intense heat, representing their passionate beliefs and emotions.
Where resentment glows
The singer's rage and anger smolders and is always present.
I am the bias
The singer acknowledges their own prejudices and viewpoints, but believes they are justified in the face of oppressive forces.
False flags and Black Ops
Governments create fake events and engage in secret operations to further their own interests and maintain power.
Tavistock manufactured shocks
Tavistock Institute is a real organization that specializes in propaganda and manipulation to control the masses.
Something's gone horribly wrong
The singer is disillusioned with the current state of affairs and believes something needs to change urgently.
Hot flushes for the Neo-con
Conservatives in power are anxious and afraid of change, and are willing to engage in extreme measures to maintain their control.
A population
The masses are seen as passive and unaware of the forces that control their lives.
In deep denial
People are unable or unwilling to accept the harsh reality of the world they live in.
Contagion released
The ideas and beliefs of the artist are spreading and infecting others.
From a Phial
The singer's message is concentrated and powerful, like a virus contained in a small bottle.
I am the Hydra-headed beast
The artist is a powerful, multi-faceted force that is difficult to defeat or overcome.
I am the worm you can never delete
The singer's message is deeply ingrained and impossible to eradicate.
I am the dangers that never sleeps
The forces that the singer represents are always present and a looming threat.
No one believes
The established narrative is so powerful that it is difficult for people to see the truth.
In nine-eleven
The artist is referencing the conspiracy theory that the 9/11 attacks were orchestrated by the US government.
Steel frame buildings
A common argument against the official version of events surrounding the 9/11 attacks is that the steel frame buildings should not have collapsed as they did.
Don't fall in seconds
The singer is arguing against the official explanation of the 9/11 attacks and is highlighting the flaws in the established narrative.
Murderers in black robes
The singer is referring to judges and those in positions of legal authority as being unjust and criminal.
Decapitate innocents
Those in power commit atrocities and kill innocent people in the name of their own interests and agendas.
The public banks stare
Those who control the financial system watch silently as injustice and corruption run rampant.
Did you sleep ok last night, Mr Blair?
The artist is calling out former British Prime Minister Tony Blair for his role in the Iraq War and the killing of innocent civilians.
Writer(s): Kevin Walker, Jeremy Coleman, Martin Glover, Matthew Paul Ferguson
Contributed by Jordan P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
ju ju
I saw in KJ, back in 1983.
They played Folliw the leaders.
I went out and bought it in 1984.
I was more into The Chameleons,The Bunymen & U2.
However, There was something about the songs were more of a warning about our future with Politicians and The world problems.
I haven't heard all their albums, but what I have heard is unthinkable.
I ain't so keen on their singles, but love like blood was very commercial for a punk band.
I believe the LP, brighter than a thousand suns, is based around a book.
The world ends, but times change in mathematics system.
The age of greed.😷🙏
Will Martin
This song has been incubating for 5 years. It is ready.
John Mitgal
Hahha! Oh man!
Alice Darque
The CIA said so. 😉😉😉🤫🤫
Red Pill Nibbler
The chrysalis has split open and the dark truth has emerged
Red Pill Nibbler
Ready for Idiocracy 😵💫
Cinza Fénix
Stupidity levels are reaching critical mass. All of the criminal activity taking place is dependent on most of the people being really stupid. The Satanic powers that be continue to murder, and create false flag attacks to manipulate the masses of stupid people. They don't even hide what they are doing anymore because they know that the stupid out number the awake.
People tell me that you can't call people stupid and expect them to cooperate. Would it be better to lie,and tell idiots what they want to hear so that I can control them also? We need to make not being stupid popular. We need to make awake the new cool. We are not going to achieve our victory, if we fail to overcome the levels of stupid that exist today.
chrisdeitzel
It's like the whole world just discovered Killing Joke.
Petri Canisius
@ghanus2009 OK, Brandon.
ghanus2009
@henleyable Only getting noticed in the late 90s? Speak for yourself!
Well it is an industrial band, not meant to be corporatized, but they were very relevant in the late 80s. Very.
ghanus2009
@Petri Canisius I play their stuff in malls and elevators, or wherever I am, especially bathrooms. They sound great in bathrooms