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.
Trance
Killing Joke Lyrics
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Familiar faces, signs & sigils – crossing point, magnetic fields
Music based on cyclic collapse – calendars that mark the moon
Nocturnal emissions wax – transmission from the Vortex room
A trance (in the fields of light)
Wonder and amazement at the synchronized coincidence
Souls fed by a cosmic fire
Earthly delights – all of sense
Gather at this crossing point
(I'm overcome with reverence)
A trance (in the fields of light)
Implanted upon this planet (starseed was our genesis)
Pyramids & obelisks unconsciously reminded us
Sky beings & balls of light
Myth & legend learned anew
Geometrical creation hidden from the common view
A trance (in the fields of light)
The lyrics to Killing Joke's "Trance" appear to explore themes of recognition, memory, and spiritual connection. The opening verse references various states of consciousness and perception, including recognition, anamnesis, déjà vu, and oblique psychosis. The following lines suggest the presence of familiar symbols and faces, perhaps indicating a feeling of connection or synchronicity with the world around us. The mention of "magnetic fields" and "music based on cyclic collapse" further suggests a spiritual or mystical dimension to the song's themes.
The chorus reinforces these ideas, describing a trance-like state in which the singer is "overcome with reverence" at the experience of being connected to something beyond themselves. The lyrics mix scientific concepts ("cosmic fire") with more earthly references ("all of sense"), suggesting a merging of the physical and spiritual worlds. The second verse deepens these ideas, referencing ancient symbols such as pyramids and obelisks as reminders of our spiritual past, and exploring the idea of hidden knowledge and creation that is "hidden from the common view."
Overall, "Trance" is a complex and poetic exploration of themes of memory, connection, and spirituality. Through its vivid images and allusions, the song suggests a deep and mystical understanding of the world around us, and invites listeners to enter into their own trance-like states of wonder and amazement.
Line by Line Meaning
Recognition, anamnesis, déjà vu, oblique psychosis
The feeling of familiarity, the recollection of past events, the feeling of having experienced something before, and a distorted perception of reality.
Familiar faces, signs & sigils – crossing point, magnetic fields
The presence of familiar people, symbols and codes, a point of intersection, and magnetic forces that draw us together.
Music based on cyclic collapse – calendars that mark the moon
Music that expresses the pattern of collapse and regeneration, and the lunar cycles that mark the passage of time.
Nocturnal emissions wax – transmission from the Vortex room
Receiving transmissions during the night, in a place where energy swirls with intensity and potential.
A trance (in the fields of light)
An altered state of consciousness, achieved through these experiences.
Wonder and amazement at the synchronized coincidence
Feeling awe and fascination at how everything seems to be perfectly aligned and interconnected.
Binding us through all the decades – predetermined providence
Feeling bound together through time, by a destiny that has already been set in motion.
Souls fed by a cosmic fire
Our essence is nourished by an energy that comes from beyond our earthly realm.
Earthly delights – all of sense
Our sensory experiences in this physical life are a source of pleasure and fulfillment.
Gather at this crossing point
Coming together in this place of convergence.
(I'm overcome with reverence)
A feeling of deep respect and humility in the face of these powerful experiences.
Implanted upon this planet (starseed was our genesis)
The idea that we were brought to this planet from elsewhere, as a result of cosmic origin.
Pyramids & obelisks unconsciously reminded us
Certain structures unconsciously trigger memories of ancient civilizations and their secrets.
Sky beings & balls of light
The recognition of beings and phenomena beyond our immediate environment.
Myth & legend learned anew
Discovering new perspectives and truths in ancient stories and traditions.
Geometrical creation hidden from the common view
The knowledge of sacred geometry, which is not accessible to everyone and contains hidden truths.
A trance (in the fields of light)
The repetition of this line represents the ongoing journey of experiencing these altered states of consciousness.
Contributed by Henry D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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