Pylon
Killing Joke · 2015
91 min · 15 tracks · new wave
A relentless fusion of industrial rhythms and post-punk melodies that confronts contemporary socio-political issues with fierce intensity.
Top tracks — play these first
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Autonomous Zone Start here — Opening with a powerful declaration of independence, this track sets the tone for the album’s thematic exploration of personal and political freedom.
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New Cold War — This song addresses contemporary geopolitical tensions with a driving beat that mirrors the urgency of its message, showcasing the band's ability to fuse sound with social critique.
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War on Freedom — With its aggressive instrumentation and poignant lyrics, this track critiques state control and reflects Killing Joke's long-standing commitment to challenging authority.
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I Am the Virus — This track embodies the album's darker tones and themes, using metaphor to explore the pervasive nature of societal decay and individual complicity.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Pylon combines intense rhythms with layered production, addressing modern anxieties through its composition and craft.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features driving industrial beats and aggressive guitar riffs, while the second half shifts to more atmospheric soundscapes.
- Several tracks incorporate spoken word elements that enhance the socio-political themes present in the lyrics.
- The album's production employs a dense layering of sounds, creating a wall of noise that challenges the listener's engagement.
- 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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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
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
- dynamic journey with emotional peaks
- dark explorations of modern anxieties
- pulsating rhythms for focused listening
- intense headphone detail immersion
- engaging narrative arc throughout
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification tracks
- prefer light and upbeat vibes
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Shows continued vitality and relevance in their sound and themes.
- Career context
- Released in early 2015, 'Pylon' is Killing Joke's fifteenth studio album, coming after their critically acclaimed 2012 release 'MMXII'. The band was experiencing a resurgence, marked by a renewed interest from both old fans and new listeners drawn to their blend of heavy rock and political commentary.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Ministry· Godflesh· The Sisters of Mercy
Tracklist
Disc 1
- 1 Autonomous Zone Start here 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
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
From Beer to Eternity
Ministry
Shares a similar industrial sound and confrontational socio-political themes in its lyrical content.
Hesitation Marks
Nine Inch Nails
Explores dark, introspective themes with a blend of industrial soundscapes and post-punk influences.
Vision Thing
The Sisters of Mercy
Combines gothic rock elements with anthemic melodies and a political edge that resonates with Killing Joke's style.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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