Review by Chris Van Etten for Killing Joke - Hosannas From the Basements of Hell (2006)

Killing Joke are one of my favorite bands. “Hosannas from the Basement of Hell” is their 12th studio LP and features the band over a quarter century into their career.  While Killing Joke started off as being comparable to a post punk band, they beefed up their sound on 1990’s “Extremeties, Dirt, and Various Repressed Emotions,” and have been on the heavier end of the spectrum ever since. They’re still absolutely the same band as on their first LP. However, Killing Joke’s music is based on repeating rhythms. They are not the type of band that has dozens of changes in a song. The approach taken by vocalist Jaz Coleman and guitarist Geordie hasn’t really changed, it’s just that the sonic foundation they play over has become more, well..., Metal. The point is, if you enjoy this record, you would probably enjoy the early records as well. It’s not the same contrast as dealing with early vs. later Ministry records. 

So onto this specific slab. “Hosannas” is not a bad place for the uninitiated to start delving into Killing Joke’s music. There are two caveats though: the songs are LONG, averaging at about 7 minutes. Again, this wouldn’t be excessive for a band that has several changes in their songs, but you pretty much know everything you’re getting into within the first 30 seconds. So technically, most of these tracks could be functional at half the length. That said, this is the sort of music you sink into. I like where these songs take me and I don’t mind staying there. The other is the track “Invocation”, which I HATED the first time I heard it. While it doesn’t bother me that much anymore, it’s not so much it grew on me as I just got used to it. It has a grandiose vibe similar to Led Zeppelin’s Kashmir, although a bit more Arabic sounding. There are a couple of similar tracks on their 1994 Pandemonium LP, and I like those, but this sounds like they were trying to create a movie soundtrack, and I just don’t like it. It probably has to with the guitar being too minimal and the vocals being too sparse, and those are the essential ingredients to Killing Joke’s sound. Plus the main part/riff just sucks. The reason I’m spending so much time talking about the one dud instead of the eight gems is because that song repelled me from this record for YEARS. So it was a pleasure to revisit this later and realize the rest of the album kills.

While it’s not my favorite KJ album (that honor goes to “Fire Dances”), Hosannas has all the elements that I love about the band. Geordie is a one of a kind guitarist: melodic and chiming but abrasive, armored in sharp distortion and reverb. His style isn’t far off from post-punk guitarists like Public Image Ltd’s Keith Levine, but it’s much more brutal. Jaz Coleman is a great frontman, a true weirdo. His voice ranges from smooth and spooky to gruff and aggressive. Despite the longer song lengths this one of the band’s faster records. Previously mentioned dud notwithstanding, this album charges from start to finish. The rhythms may be repetitive, but they are pummeling and awesome. My favorite track is probably “Implosion.” While the record warrants many words, I’m not sure what else to add. Just listen to the damn thing! And avoid the 1988 LP “Outside the Gate” unless and until you become a completist.