The original lineup of Killing Joke — Jaz Coleman, Kevin “Geordie” Walker, Martin “Youth” Glover and Paul Ferguson — this morning announced the release of the legendary postpunk band’s 15th studio album, the aptly titled 2012, which will be released April 2 — and is preceded by the track “Rapture,” which you can stream below.
The 10-track album, which will be released on CD, as a digital download and on “double-colored” gatefold vinyl, will be released via Spinefarm Records/Universal, and is described by the band as “a dense and multi-layered work. Killing Joke have never sounded so intense. The songs are great washes of sound — a death disco with huge slabs of guitar that soundtracks these dangerous times.” The iTunes version will include a bonus 11th song.
On the band’s website, Coleman describes the significance of the year 2012 as the album’s title:
“It’s in many different calendars – the great unveiling, the sky and the earth coming together. It’s a significant date. In the autumn, there is a major planetary alignment, and on that day I’m doing this rock festival, ‘A Party At The End of The Earth’, which is going to be in New Zealand. Everything is speeding up. It’s not just our minds shrinking. We are heading towards the Eschaton and no-one really knows what’s going to happen.”
The new album follows up 2010′s Absolute Dissent, which was the first Killing Joke record since 1982’s Revelations to feature the band’s original lineup. Last fall, the band announced an 11-date U.K. tour this March, with a promise of European dates to follow (see full dates here).
STREAM: Killing Joke, “Rapture”
Tracklist: Killing Joke, 2012
CD/Digital Album
1. “Pole Shift”
2. “Fema Camp”
3. “Rapture”
4. “Colony Collapse”
5. “Corporate Elect”
6. “In Cythera”
7. “Primobile”
8. “Glitch”
9. “Trance”
10. “On All Hallow’s Eve”
Double Coloured Gatefold Vinyl
SIDE A:
1. “Pole Shift”
2. “Fema Camp”
SIDE B:
1. “Rapture”
2. “Colony Collapse”
3. “Corporate Elect”
SIDE C:
1. “In Cythera”
2. “Primobile”
3. “Glitch”
SIDE D:
1. “Trance”
2. “On All Hallow’s Eve”
iTunes Album
1. “Pole Shift”
2. “Fema Camp”
3. “Rapture”
4. “Colony Collapse”
5. “Corporate Elect”
6. “In Cythera”
7. “Primobile”
8. “Glitch”
9. “Trance”
10. “On All Hallow’s Eve”
11. “New Uprising” *
* iTunes exclusive
PREVIOUSLY ON SLICING UP EYEBALLS
- Killing Joke announce new studio album, live CD/DVD, 2012 tour of U.K. and Europe
- Killing Joke cancels upcoming 13-date North American tour ‘due to illness’
- Killing Joke sets 13-date North American tour
- Download: Killing Joke’s ‘Endgame,’ first new track from original lineup since 1982
- Killing Joke’s ‘XIII: Feast of Fools’ album, 30th anniversary tour delayed
- Killing Joke’s original lineup to release ‘Feast of Fools’ in April, tour
oh man! i’ve been waiting with bated breath for this record to drop! can’t wait!
Damn, this is one of the best tracks i’ve heard from them. I’ve never heard a band who’s been around this long that consistently puts out the same quality of music. Incredible.
they’re one of the few post-punk bands from the early 80’s that still actually matters and is relevant today. incredible how they just keep putting out great album after great album! jaz is a god!