Search - Killing Joke :: Brighter Than 1,000 Suns

Ambient, lush and delicious - KJ at their absolute best!

brad.lentz@equifax.com | Phoenix, AZ | 05/11/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This particular Killing Joke album was my first brush with the band - and definately the most impressive brush. For those of you becoming familiar with KJ as of recent - Millenium, Democracy - do yourselves a favour and purchase this disc - it will save your wretched soul. The first time I heard this disc it became permanently imbedded in my inner conscious. It is one of those discs that I would have in my possesion were I stranded on that ubiquitous desert island. I recall that very late night drive in the dead of winter to the frozen lake of the Midwest. My friend and I had been out carousing and decided that the Lake was our ultimate destination. Brighter Than a Thousand Suns was spilling forth from the car stereo like a haunted memory that I couldn't recall. It hooked me and has never let go. Let's just say the music fit the cold and desolate blackness of that winter night very well. I will never forget that encounter with KJ and will never be without Brighter Than a Thousand Suns. If 'Chessboards' does not move YOU, nothing will."

Killing Joke, Brighter Than A 1000 Bands!

Mike | North Bergen, NJ | 05/05/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have heard Killing Joke for more than ten years before I finally purchased "1000 Suns". It was the first time that I realized there was another side to the band. Keep in mind, this cd bears all the heart and soul of the Killing Joke, basics that have always made the band who they are. Haunting, melodic, insightful, perhaps-prophetic, musicians with harsh, dreary images and messages to bring out.



Degradation, destruction of humanity and society, among other themes loom throughout the cd. It should be of no surprise considering it was the late-80s, things were going wrong and

values were shifting. Funny thing, this cd could still fit in well with today's society, to a certain extent. "Twilight Of The Mortal", "Love Of The Masses", and "To The Village" envision

wordly destruction with irreversible effects.



Much of 1000 Suns has a hooky, esoteric sound, probably the most melodic of all the other KJ albums. Seriously, don't let the smooth sound fool you, there's some real deep, dark stuff here.

"Adorations" and "Sanity", the singles that were popular at the time of its release, remain some of my all-time favorite KJ songs. They're moody, drifty, and always pleasant to listen to.

And "Exile" is a fitting end to a moody, drifty, pleasant cd.



Certainly, Jaz Coleman and company would shift gears again on their next release and they were right to do so. This type of KJ mood and sound couldn't be topped. Hence, by the end of the 80s, they would take some raging, chaotic steps forward. 1000 Suns was and is the peak of the band's smoother period. It will leave anyone wanting more after first listen."

Like Pawns On Chessboards

Thaddeus B. Rosemyer | Massena, NY USA | 03/07/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a future-looking album that finds KJ between their militant/aggressive early LPs and their viciously heavy 90s-present releases. This one has a cold-war Euro feel to color the atmosphere...the cd release has some brilliant bonus tracks--"Goodbye to the Village" (an anti-globalization song way ahead of it's time?), "Victory", and "Exiles" (not on the orig. LP). Lyrically the songs have a somber tint despite the catchy vibes of the music. Check this out and discover a solid 80s LP, which-when looking back-is rare indeed..."