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.
Primobile
Killing Joke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rejoice in precious moments - chants & noises of purity
Seperated from each other yet bounded by time as one
Past hurts forgiven now we recognise what's done is done
Beyond the veil in dreams we fly
to soar again and then to die
Choirs of endless tears
Holy is the laughter
That overcomes all your fears
And did we overcome the shadow? Confront the inner rage?
Will all our deeds be sung of? Remembered with loving praise?
And did we fight with courage and make the world a better place?
Will we till the soil and plant a forest for the human race?
Beyond the veil in dreams we fly
to soar again and then to die
Weeping at disaster
Choirs of endless tears
Holy is the laughter
That overcomes all your fears
The lyrics to Killing Joke's song Primobile are rich in symbolism and touch upon themes of unity, forgiveness, and facing our inner demons. The first stanza highlights the power of music and chant to bring people together in moments of joy and purity. Despite being separated by time, there is a sense of interconnectedness that binds us as one. The line "past hurts forgiven" suggests a cathartic release of pain and a recognition that what's done is done.
The second stanza delves deeper into the theme of mortality and the idea of transcending physical limitations through dreams. The image of flying beyond the veil suggests a journey into the afterlife, where we soar again before ultimately facing death. The use of "choirs of endless tears" and "holy laughter" as contrasting emotions highlights the complex nature of life and death.
The final stanza poses important questions about the legacy we leave behind. Did we confront our inner rage and make the world a better place? The line "will we till the soil and plant a forest" suggests a responsibility to care for the planet and for each other. The song's overall message is one of reflection and contemplation, encouraging us to take responsibility for our actions and consider the impact we have on the world around us.
Line by Line Meaning
Songs of joy & sorrow echo expressions of unity
Both happiness and sadness can bring us together and unify us as humans through our shared emotions.
Rejoice in precious moments - chants & noises of purity
We should celebrate the special, fleeting moments in life with pure and genuine expressions of joy.
Seperated from each other yet bounded by time as one
Although we are physically apart from each other, we are still connected and united through the flow of time that affects us all.
Past hurts forgiven now we recognise what's done is done
It is important to let go of past hurts and move on, acknowledging that what has happened cannot be changed.
Beyond the veil in dreams we fly
to soar again and then to die
In our dreams, we are free to explore possibilities and experience life in a way that is not possible in reality, but eventually, like all things, our dreams and lives will come to an end.
Weeping at disaster
Choirs of endless tears
Holy is the laughter
That overcomes all your fears
We can cry and mourn in times of tragedy, but ultimately it is through laughter and joy that we can conquer the fears that hold us back.
And did we overcome the shadow? Confront the inner rage?
Will all our deeds be sung of? Remembered with loving praise?
And did we fight with courage and make the world a better place?
Will we till the soil and plant a forest for the human race?
Reflecting on our actions and choices, we should ask ourselves if we have faced our inner demons and made positive impacts on the world. Will we be remembered for our courage and kindness towards others? Will we continue to work towards a better future for humanity?
Contributed by William S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Inside Bilderberg
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One of my all time favorite songs.