Accomplished, you’d expect, but switched on and inspired? Neither is a given for a band fast approaching its fourth decade. In keeping with the blackened, raging apocalyptica of their post-2002 reformation output, the original line-up of Jaz Coleman, Geordie, Youth and Paul Ferguson detail the more metallic end of the Killing Joke sound with as smart an ear for a monster hook as they had in the mid-eighties when the likes of Love Like Blood were bone fide chart botherers.
Pylon is all about size and scale, rich dynamics: a blistering proto-metal with keen pop sensibilities. When War on Freedom lets loose, Geordie’s ringing guitar a genuinely joyous throwback, their ongoing influence makes perfect sense. In a smarter world, Euphoria would be all over the airwaves.
320 kbps | 213 MB UL | MC ** FLAC
It’s still a toss-up as to whether this is the music that welcomes or causes the end of the world but its credibility is beyond question, so ditch the young ‘uns for a moment and show some respect for your elders.
Disc 1
1. Autonomous Zone (6:43)
2. Dawn of the Hive (6:28)
3. New Cold War (6:51)
4. Euphoria (4:16)
5. New Jerusalem (6:10)
6. War On Freedom (4:40)
7. Big Buzz (5:02)
8. Delete (5:00)
9. I Am the Virus (5:38)
10. Into the Unknown (6:15)
Disc 2
1. Apotheosis (6:25)
2. Plague (5:50)
3. Star Spangled (5:30)
4. Panopticon (8:45)
5. Snakedance (Youth ‘Rattlesnake Dub’ Remix) (7:55)