Killing Joke – Brighter Than A Thousand Suns

Can anyone comment on the quality of this pressing? Thanks in advance!

Used to love playing this cassette back in the day as I didn't have a turntable as a student. The running order with Goodbye To The Village after Chessboards and Exile tucked in before Rubicon is something I wish could've been on a re-issued vinyl.

Such an underrated album. I "rediscovered" it a few months ago and have listened to it frequently since. It's a shame they didn't play any of the material from this album live since the late 1980s. So many great songs, and great to hear Jaz singing and not shouting lyrics.

Listening to this record after receiving the news that Geordie Walker died today. I’m absolutely floored and saddened. This record perfectly captures my mood at the moment. One of my favorites. The legacy Geordie and Killing Joke have forged will live through the ages. Thank you for everything.

This album features, at least in my opinion, Jaz' best lyrics. The songs are profound, deep and poetic, boasting layers of meaning and a myriad references. The lush arrangements, the subtle instrumentation and the more "sophisticated" musical approach than on other Killing Joke LPs perfectly complement the images and atmospheres evoked by Jaz' words. Together with "Outside the Gate", which was really more of a solo project than a KJ offering, "Brighter than a thousand Suns" seems to be far more personal than the rest of the group's oeuvre. This is reflected in Jaz' vocals, where the true beauty of his singing voice comes through. Nothing here is contrived, even though some might try to conivnce one otherwise. A recommended recording, which does not deserve its bad "press" from certain quarters. Moving, genuine and uplifting, this is a celebration of humanity with all its frailties in its promethean position between God and Beast.

Really don't understand the negative on this. Love early Killing Joke (I came to the party early, 1981, they seemed to stand head and shoulders above most of the other punk bands of the time), and love the later metally/ industrial stuff, but this is also great. As others have said, a natural progression from Night Time, powerful stuff indeed........tunefull, aggresive, assertive, a veritable wall of noise...turn it up loud and immerse yourself. The production is fantastic (and not dated....idiotic concept anyway......so what if it does sound like it's from a certain time period.....isn't everything? Does that not add charm?). A record I am proud to have in my collection and one that is played on a regular basis.

If you started with the first or second Killing Joke, this will be deemed a big diversion. With elements of everything from Mark Almond's voice of Soft Cell to Classix Neaveau to Southern Death Cult. Don't except tracks which sound like Change or Complication. Rather it's ideal mid 80s synth sound, full on dance stuff. For early fans this was a sellout. The production is without diversion on this recording, all sound monotonous. Each and every track has the same 4/4 patterns that can lead to nauseousness.

way better than the let them eat vinyl reissues!!!!!!!!!!!! very good dynamics

I have the later remastered Chris Kimsey mix of this album which sounds more aggressive especially with the bass guitar, which sounds fantastic as well. However, this original 1986 mix sounds so good on vinyl. Lots of atmosphere and the keyboards really get to shine in the mix, especially on Wintergardens. While more saccharine than earlier or later albums, this album from KJ is pure class and it still has that air of menace (see Rubicon, one of their best songs ever).

For all the critiques, for me BATS and Night Time were the pinnacle of Killing Joke. I love the energy of their earlier albums, but with BATS and Night Time they seemed to achieve a more mature and solid sound imo. For context The Chameleons UK, Echo & The Bunnymen & Jesus & Mary Chain, and early U2 were on the top of my list at the time so maybe I just leaned towards the more moody stuff. Killing Joke's earlier albums definitely had more edge and energy though. Different vibes for different moods. It's all good.