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.
Mathematics of Chaos
Killing Joke Lyrics
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Suffering and pain crystallised in a brain that recreates the process again
Draws borders, cites laws monopolies of food and trade start wars
Every time we try to impose order we create chaos we create chaos - breakdown
I have my doubts
A state of eternal conflict is all i have found
We build a wall that is made of tears watch the house fall down
Yes at the end of my life
All shall be well all is as it was always meant to be...
Blessed are the meek it is written they shall inherit the earth
Watch her dying of cancer after a lifetime of caring for the poor
Child with her arms blown off screams as she bleeds upon the rocks
Sickened by my self-flagellation but i don't know how to stop
Where is your love, my loving god? - breakdown
I have my doubts
[This base stand of filth] and the people around
We build a wall that is made of tears watch the house fall down
And at the end of my life
Yes at the end of my life
All shall be well all is as it was always meant to be...
Globalism and the u.n. neutralised by ethnic cleansing
Animal aggression and a mind to perceive this terminal conflict
Awareness is a curse - the more you open your eyes the more you despise
Fashioned in the creator's yolk
It must be some sort of practical joke
And in the corn, circles of chaos - breakdown
I have my doubts
A state of eternal conflict is all i have found
We build a wall that is made of tears watch the house fall down
And at the end of my life
Yes at the end of my life
All shall be well all is as it was always meant to be...
The lyrics to Killing Joke's song "Mathematics of Chaos" reflect the chaos and turmoil within human society. The opening line "Turbulence is certainty turbulence is friction between you and me" sets the tone for the rest of the song, emphasizing the inherent conflict and struggle between individuals. The repetition of the phrase "we create chaos" highlights the irony that every attempt to establish order leads to even greater chaos. The second verse takes a more personal perspective, with the singer expressing doubt and dismay at the state of the world. The line "Where is your love, my loving God?" suggests a feeling of abandonment or betrayal by faith in the face of such suffering.
The chorus's repetition of the line "We build a wall that is made of tears watch the house fall down" conveys the futility of human efforts to establish security and order, only to see it fall apart. The song's title "Mathematics of Chaos" refers to the idea in chaos theory that there are mathematical patterns underlying seemingly random or chaotic events, which ties into the lyrical theme of order and chaos.
Line by Line Meaning
Turbulence is certainty turbulence is friction between you and me
The inevitable chaos in our world is due to the friction between human beings.
Suffering and pain crystallised in a brain that recreates the process again
The experience of pain and suffering is encoded in the human brain, leading us to repeat these cycles.
Draws borders, cites laws monopolies of food and trade start wars
Attempts to create order through borders, laws, and monopolies often lead to violent conflict.
Every time we try to impose order we create chaos we create chaos - breakdown
Ironically, attempts to create order often result in more chaos.
I have my doubts
The artist is uncertain about the current state of the world.
A state of eternal conflict is all i have found
The singer sees nothing but unending conflict in the world.
We build a wall that is made of tears watch the house fall down
Attempts to protect ourselves or create barriers often lead to our destruction.
And at the end of my life
The artist is considering their mortality.
Yes at the end of my life
The artist is reflecting on their ultimate fate.
All shall be well all is as it was always meant to be...
The artist sees death as a return to the natural order of things.
Blessed are the meek it is written they shall inherit the earth
The weak and powerless are promised to eventually gain control of the world.
Watch her dying of cancer after a lifetime of caring for the poor
Even those who try to do good in the world are often met with tragedy.
Child with her arms blown off screams as she bleeds upon the rocks
Innocent children are often the victims of senseless violence.
Sickened by my self-flagellation but i don't know how to stop
The singer is aware of their own faults but feels powerless to change them.
Where is your love, my loving god? - breakdown
The singer is questioning the existence or nature of a benevolent deity.
Globalism and the u.n. neutralised by ethnic cleansing
Attempts at global cooperation are undermined by ethnic violence.
Animal aggression and a mind to perceive this terminal conflict
Human aggression is not just a survival instinct, but a self-destructive force.
Awareness is a curse - the more you open your eyes the more you despise
Increased understanding of the world often leads to disillusionment or despair.
Fashioned in the creator's yolk
The singer acknowledges the idea of a divine creator.
It must be some sort of practical joke
The realization that a benevolent deity would allow so much suffering is a bitter one.
And in the corn, circles of chaos - breakdown
Unexpected, uncontrollable chaos can arise from even the most mundane or natural of things.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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