Killing Joke return to The Barrowland Ballroom on their “Honour the Fire” tour. The last time they were in Glasgow was to celebrate their 40th Anniversary in 2018.
The lockdown has seen Jaz Coleman, Youth and Big Paul Ferguson maintain their artistic output with various projects so time hasn’t stood still for them. Already 8 gigs into this tour, by the time they arrive in Glasgow they’re already a well oiled machine.
Support comes from The Imbeciles. They have a connection with the band in that Youth produced their current album so what a great opportunity to launch themselves supporting such an iconic band.
The Barrowland Ballroom is a bucket list venue for most artists. Some never get there and others take a long time to achieve the notoriety of having graced the old building but The Imbeciles are undaunted as they take to the near blacked out stage. The Anglo-American 5 piece rockers base their set on their recently released album Imbecilica. Supporting Killing Joke is a daunting prospect but the band hit the ground running and never look back. The new album benefits from very polished production and it’s reproduced faithfully with an added raw edge to it. You can hear a varied US/UK influence from 80’s/90’s post-punk/grunge with a hint of Jellyfish, well written and intensely refreshing, the three guitars work hard and the booming bass and drums gave them a solid backing. Highlight of the set, the album opener Tiny Blue People shows they have strength in depth throughout.
The near capacity crowd can feel the anticipation as Jocelyn Pook’s Masked Ball from the soundtrack of Eyes Wide Shut can be heard through the PA. The Gregorian Monk chants build the atmosphere nicely. In total contrast, Youth casually wanders onto the stage holding a pint in the air with his trademark sun visor and Hawaiian shirt. Jaz on the other hand is kitted out in his black boiler suit and shocking wild hair. The band concentrate on some of the older back catalogue as they kick off with the classic Love Like Blood. The famous ballroom floor is already bouncing as the follow up number Wardance kicks in. The early albums feature heavily through the set as the band take the opportunity to roll back the years, maintaining an intensity throughout their set by playing the likes of Fall of Because, Primitive and The Wait. Of course, there is room for some of their later material as a trio of songs from the 2003s self titled album and play some crushing heavy slabs of industrial mayhem. That album saw the band get a second wind and re-ignited the fire inside them. Death and Resurrection Show, Total Invasion and Loose Canon are probably the highlight for many in the room but for me, it’s always the classics. Jaz Coleman shouted “When we were 18” just before Youth plays the unmistakable intro to Turn to Red as the band turn back the clock over 40yrs, the re-released classic gives the long standing fans something to cheer. The newest track of the night is the topical I am the virus as Jaz courts controversy with his take on the pandemic. Standout of the night, Requiem never fails to engage and the main set ends with Pssyche which always rallies the crowd. The band leave to a deafening roar.
The encore has something for everyone as The Pandy’s are Coming is followed by Change. The final song, what else, Pandemonium. Glasgow’s Barrowland Ballroom had survived another onslaught from Killing Joke. The band are better than ever, like a fine wine they just get better with age.
Words & Pictures: D.O. Raine