Ahh, the beautiful, grinding, hard-hitting, industrial sounds of Killing Joke! Can one really go too long without it? I think not. Fans will surely get their KJ fix with Hosannas from the Basements of Hell, arguably their best work in years, if not ever. Jaz Coleman quickly reintroduces his voice to us in "This Tribal Antidote" by shouting "lift up your spirits!", just in case you needed reminding. Speaking of, it sounds as if he's a lot happier nowadays, as evidenced in "Hosannas from the Basements of Hell" with lyrics like "I harbor thoughts of killing you/pour petrol on you and then on me" and "anger that poisons my heart/eating your liver and heart like voodoo/ just play until you bleed/lost in the noise/I am free/I'm not a murderer, yet." Hmm, is there something you'd like to get off your chest, Jaz?
"Invocation" has a great symphonic-like jam with backing guitars and a climaxing chorus that hums along like a well-oiled machine and lasting nearly eight minutes long. Check out "Majestic" for a spooky, five-and-a-half minute bone-grinding, adrenaline-laced experience.
Hosannas from the Basements of Hell is mostly brutal, sometimes danceable, but always consistently great. If you're looking for some new metal/industrial rock and can't wait for Rio Grande Blood, try shouting a hosanna from hell. Also, check out the recently released XXV Gathering! DVD. By themselves, they're great. Together, they will blow your minds' fuses.
