Caroline
2009
The Gathering 2008, Pt. 1
About This Album
Even though he was a member of Killing Joke Mach 2, the 2007 funeral of bassist Paul Raven brought the original KJ line-up together for the first time since 1982. "It made us realize our mortality and how important Killing Joke is to all of us" according to vocalist Jaz Coleman, and soon the initial four were planning the historical two-evening set of concerts, the first night of which is captured here. On Part 1, the group's 1980 self-titled debut and its 1981 follow-up What's THIS For...! are played live and in their entirety. No surprise, then, that the updated versions are blistering, loud, and full-bodied, but that Raven's predecessor Youth and original drummer "Big" Paul Ferguson both sound so in step after years away is a shocker, and a very welcome one at that. Hits ("Eighties," "Love Like Blood") plus some rarely played numbers (the beloved dubby B-Side "Change") round out this longtime fan's dream concert. For a "no overdubs" recording, the performance is remarkably tight even if Geordie's thick guitar could stand a kick up in the mix. Casual fans and newcomers should really get to know the source material first since the Gathering 2008 project is a celebration that goes impressively deep. Fans craving the full experience should seek out Pt. 2 -- featuring most of the Pandemonium album along with some newer material -- or better still, the limited-edition, four-CD set which presents both nights in one package. ~ David Jeffries, All Music Guide
Track List

Disc 1 (try tracks 2,5,7,8 and 9)

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.

Disc 2 (try track 4)

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.