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.
On All Hallow's Eve
Killing Joke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Old haunts and habits invoking loved ones and friends.
The graveyards forgotten, the churches are empty now.
I recall the times past and how much I miss you all.
Wake up! Reborn! Join in and celebrate!
Make noise! Wake up the great dead with reverence.
On all hallow′s eve.
Endless drumming; rituals to wake up the dead.
Bring gifts and spirits, good wine- just cheese and some bread.
Incense of cigars and spices, pleasures we shared.
Light up the graveyards to show how much we all care.
Wake up! Reborn! Join in and celebrate!
Make noise! Wake up the great dead with reverence.
On all hallow's eve.
The lyrics of "On All Hallow's Eve" by Killing Joke are about the pagan festival of Samhain, which marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. The first stanza talks about the end of a period of mourning and remembering those that have passed away. The second stanza describes the Samhain celebrations, where people wake the dead through rituals and offerings of food and drink. The lyrics encourage people to join in the festivities, celebrate life and death, and honor the dead with joy and respect.
The lyrics use powerful language and imagery to paint a vivid picture of the Samhain celebrations. The use of phrases like "endless drumming," "incense of cigars and spices," and "light up the graveyards" creates a sensory experience for the listener. The tone of the lyrics is celebratory, with the injunction to "make noise" and "join in and celebrate." However, the lyrics also acknowledge the emotions of loss and grief, with the reference to "how much I miss you all."
Line by Line Meaning
At last the dark years of grieving come to an end.
After a long time of mourning, it is finally over.
Old haunts and habits invoking loved ones and friends.
The old ways of remembering those who have passed on still remain in our hearts and minds.
The graveyards forgotten, the churches are empty now.
The usual places of worship and remembrance are empty and left behind.
I recall the times past and how much I miss you all.
Remembering the good times and how much we miss our departed loved ones.
Wake up! Reborn! Join in and celebrate!
It's time to come alive, be revived and celebrate with the spirit world.
Make noise! Wake up the great dead with reverence.
Create a commotion to honor and wake up the spirits of those who have passed on.
On all hallow′s eve.
This is happening on the night of Halloween.
Endless drumming; rituals to wake up the dead.
There are non-stop drumming and rituals to arouse the spirits.
Bring gifts and spirits, good wine- just cheese and some bread.
Offerings of food and drink to appease and please the deceased.
Incense of cigars and spices, pleasures we shared.
The scents of things we enjoyed together, like cigars and spices, are used to connect with the dead.
Light up the graveyards to show how much we all care.
Candles and lights are lit to demonstrate how much we love and care for our departed loved ones.
Wake up! Reborn! Join in and celebrate!
Once again, it's time to come alive, be revived and celebrate with the spirit world.
Make noise! Wake up the great dead with reverence.
Create a commotion to honor and wake up the spirits of those who have passed on.
On all hallow's eve.
This is happening on the night of Halloween.
Writer(s): Paul Ferguson, Martin Glover, Kevin Walker, Jeremy Coleman
Contributed by David B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Aust Ralian
At last the dark years of grieving come to an end.
Old haunts and habits invoking loved ones and friends.
The graveyards forgotten, the churches are empty now.
I recall the times past and how much I miss you all.
Wake up! Reborn! Join in and celebrate!
Make noise! Wake up the great dead with reverence.
On all hallow's eve.
Endless drumming; rituals to wake up the dead.
Bring gifts and spirits, good wine- just cheese and some bread.
Incense of cigars and spices, pleasures we shared.
Light up the graveyards to show how much we all care.
Wake up! Reborn! Join in and celebrate!
Make noise! Wake up the great dead with reverence.
On all hallow's eve.
"On All Hallow's Eve" as written by and Jeremy Coleman Martin Glover....
Lordestroyer
All these albums later, this band can never do any wrong.
permaveg
Absolutely beautiful lament for those passed over but never forgot but always missed. A great track from a great album from a great band. The fire doth burn bright, blessed be Killing Joke.
Thamiri Vonjaahri
I want this to be played at my funeral. And all the way leading to it....
Scott
when I first heard this song, and the nature of the album, I really thought this song is a wake up call to the world to keep the holy spirit alive.
bartlettandbosc
This is the best new thing i've heard this year. God bless Killing joke.
gungadin900
Its about time this lot made a Christmas record.
Bob Best
@Toernooi Directie Jaz recently released the classical album Magna Invocatio - A Gnostic Mass inspired by the sublime music of Killing Joke (the CD's booklet notes promote the website of the occult Lucis Trust and I read their interesting quarterly journal Beacon), and he and other band members have had an interest in Gnosticism (which has been persecuted as "heretical" for centuries by mainstream Christianity) from the band's early days. He did become a lay preacher in the Anglican Church of New Zealand a few years ago, which believes that GOD is Father-Mother...
Fat Man Jackson
@driftwood beach thats what I am saying
Fat Man Jackson
@driftwood beach he is talking out of his bum. Jaz is a free thinker, not religious at all.
David Forshaw
@Andy Jordan 👍🗝🧩☯️