MMXII
Killing Joke · 2012
50 min · 10 tracks · new wave
A relentless fusion of industrial rhythms and darkly atmospheric melodies that encapsulates a dystopian vision of the modern world.
Top tracks — play these first
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Pole Shift Start here — The opener sets a tense atmosphere with its brooding instrumentation, establishing the album's thematic focus on impending change and catastrophe.
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FEMA Camp — This track critiques governmental control and conspiracy theories through driving beats and a haunting vocal delivery, encapsulating the band's political edge.
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Corporate Elect — With its sharp lyrics and pulsating rhythm, this song serves as a biting commentary on corporate greed and influence in modern society.
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On All Hallow's Eve — Closing the album, this track combines somber melodies with reflective lyrics, offering a haunting conclusion that emphasizes themes of mortality and decay.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
MMXII combines industrial rhythms with dark melodies, showcasing strong craftsmanship and thematic cohesion.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a driving industrial beat in 'Pole Shift' that sets a relentless pace, maintained through the first half of the record.
- Tracks like 'FEMA Camp' and 'Corporate Elect' feature layered vocals and heavy guitar riffs, creating a dense soundscape that emphasizes the dystopian themes.
- The final track, 'On All Hallow's Eve', slows down significantly, providing a stark contrast to the preceding intensity and allowing for a reflective conclusion.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady progression with climactic moments
- dark soundscapes for introspection
- dystopian themes and imagery
- focused listening for deep engagement
- relentless energy for active moods
Maybe skip if you
- prefer light, upbeat tracks
- seek instant gratification
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Shows Killing Joke's continued relevance and strong thematic focus in later years.
- Career context
- Released on January 1, 2012, MMXII is Killing Joke's fifteenth studio album, coming nearly five years after their previous record, Absolute Dissent. This album marks a return to form for the band as they re-emerged from a period of lineup changes and creative recalibration, solidifying their position in the post-punk and industrial scenes.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Ministry· Godflesh· The Sisters of Mercy
Tracklist
- 1 Pole Shift Start here 8:56
- 2 FEMA Camp 5:01
- 3 Rapture 4:15
- 4 Colony Collapse 5:04
- 5 Corporate Elect 4:00
- 6 In Cythera 4:29
- 7 Primobile 4:44
- 8 Glitch 4:47
- 9 Trance 6:09
- 10 On All Hallow's Eve 3:21
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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