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.
Rapture
Killing Joke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All is illusion
Escape from flesh
Transcend the earthly
With fire and chants
Purification
Between the worlds
In this state of bill
Rapture
Revitalize
To the ecstatic
Re-energize
Recharge batteries
Liberations of incantations
Liberate with
Spasms convulsions
Rapture
Free me from all
Materialism
Let every breath
And act have meaning
Leap Icarus
O great grain of sand
With certainty
Into the abyss
Rapture
The lyrics to Killing Joke's song "Rapture" speak about the idea of transcending the earthly realm through purification, incantations, and ultimately reaching a state of rapture. The opening lines, "Nothing is real, all is illusion", express the sentiment that the physical world is but a facade and the true nature of existence lies beyond this realm. The use of fire and chants, as well as references to purification and liberation, suggests a ritualistic nature to the song's meaning. "Between the worlds in this state of bliss" continues this theme of straddling multiple planes of existence.
The second verse of the song emphasizes the need for revitalization and re-energization, as if to prepare for the journey to transcendence. The use of "spasms convulsions" suggests a physical manifestation of this energy, and the subsequent repetition of the chorus emphasizes the ultimate goal of this release: rapture.
Line by Line Meaning
Nothing is real
The world is an illusion, nothing is truly as it seems
All is illusion
The world is an illusion, nothing is truly as it seems
Escape from flesh
Leave the physical world behind, transcend to the spiritual
Transcend the earthly
Rise above the mundane, reach for the divine
With fire and chants
Use the power of ritual to channel energy and connect with higher forces
Purification
Cleanse the soul of impurities and negative influences, become pure
Between the worlds
Exist in a space between the physical and spiritual, bridging the gap
In this state of bill
In a state of transition, moving from one reality to another
Rapture
The feeling of being enraptured by spiritual ecstasy, connecting with the divine
Revitalize
Bring life back into the body, energize the spirit
To the ecstatic
Experience an overwhelming feeling of joy and rapture
Re-energize
Restore energy and vigor to the body and spirit
Recharge batteries
Restore energy and vigor to the body and spirit
Liberations of incantations
Reciting spells and chants to free oneself from negative influences and connect with higher forces
Liberate with
Free oneself from limitations and restrictions
Spasms convulsions
Physical reactions to intense spiritual experiences
Free me from all
Release me from the confines of the physical world
Materialism
Focus on the material world and possessions, letting go of worldly attachments
Let every breath
Make every breath count, let every moment have meaning
And act have meaning
Let every action have significance and purpose
Leap Icarus
Take a daring leap of faith, risking everything to reach higher heights
O great grain of sand
Even the smallest things can have significance and meaning
With certainty
With a strong belief and conviction
Into the abyss
Take a leap into the unknown, the void, the mystery
Rapture
The feeling of being enraptured by spiritual ecstasy, connecting with the divine
Contributed by Bentley S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Swan Mob
Nothing is real - all is illusion
Escape from the flesh - transcend the earthly
With fire and chant - purification
Between the worlds is a this sate of grace - called Rapture
Revitalize - to the ecstatic
Re-energize - recharge batteries
Liberation's of incarnations
Liberate with spasms, convulsions
Rapture
Free me from all materialism
Let every breath and act have meaning
Leap Icarus! (O great grain of sand) with certainty - into the abyss
Rapture
Emulous79
Nothing is real
All is illusion
Escape from flesh
Transcend the earthly
With fire and chants
Purification
Between the worlds
In this state of billRaptureRevitalize
To the ecstatic
Re-energize
Recharge batteries
Liberations of incantations
Liberate with
Spasms convulsionsRaptureFree me… Free me from all
Materialism
Let every breath
And act have meaning
Leap Icarus
O great grain of sand
With certainty
Into the abyssRapture
Pauline Theduncjcampbell
Yep, being a gatherer and one of the fortunate few is an absolute honour. We have to get used to the fact that KJ are hugely under-rated by the rest of the world. It's our secret and for me that makes gathering even more special. Love them, love seeing them, love drinking with you guys before and after. Keep the faith.
Michael Dent
friend/fan of 39 years
Toyota Kawasaki
What makes you believe they're underrated?
Martin Fitzgerald
2023 still kickin ass
Jason Grandcourt
Best song of the album. It punches you in the guts. Fantastic album MMXII, it is all new but you can hear the references from the huge back catalogue. Enough said on the quality. Awesome!
RobKirbyson14
Still sounds like it is a signal picked up from another dystopian planet that may be worse than this one. Fucking excellent.
Team Express
I cranked the volume full force, got goosebumps and shed tears, THIS IS THAT FKN GOOD‼️
RAPTURRRRRRRRRRRRE‼️‼️
milleniumd
Still kicking your teeth in after all these years. Magnificent.
Michael Stephanos
Apocalyptic hypnotic industrial! Can't wait for the new album. One of my favourite bands definitely.
GARIJPUNQ
after seeing this played live for the last 5 gigs..you realise how MASSIVE this song is..total classic,in the same way as 'the great cull', i hope they will remain in the set for yrs come... great gigs,bring on the MMXII lp.