They’ve been a big influence on everyone from Metallica to Faith No More.
Pioneers of industrial rock, Killing Joke scored a string of hit albums – and now the band have been lined up to play a last-minute gig in York.
They are headlining at Fibbers next Wednesday (November 2) in what promoter Tim Hornsby describes as a “helluva show for York”.
With a reputation “forged in fire, brimstone and magic” the band returned in 2008 with their original line-up of Jaz Coleman (vocals and keyboards), Geordie (guitar) and Youth (bass) and Paul Ferguson (drums).
Formed in 1978, critics described their early offerings as “quasi-metal dancing to a tune of doom and gloom”.
But their sound gradually evolved over the years to incorporate elements of electronic music, synthpop and goth – though always emphasising Coleman’s “savagely strident vocals”.
Support comes from Northern California four-piece Death Valley High, who create “the mixtape to a doomsday dance party”.