Brighter Than a Thousand Suns (album)

Last updated

Brighter Than a Thousand Suns
Killing Joke Brighter Than A Thousand Suns Cover.jpg
Studio album by
Killing Joke
Released10 November 1986 [1]
RecordedOctober 1985; spring 1986 ("Victory"), August 1986 ("A Southern Sky")
Studio Hansa Tonstudio, West Berlin, West Germany
Genre
Length41:17 (original vinyl release)
Label E.G., Virgin
Producer
Killing Joke chronology
Night Time
(1985)		Brighter Than a Thousand Suns
(1986)		 Outside the Gate
(1988)
Singles from Brighter Than a Thousand Suns
  1. "Adorations"
    Released: August 1986
  2. "Sanity"
    Released: October 1986

Brighter Than a Thousand Suns is the sixth studio album by English post-punk band Killing Joke, released in November 1986 by E.G. Records. It was their first album to be distributed through Virgin Records. It entered the UK Albums Chart at number 54 on 22 November 1986, staying for one week. [3] [4] It was produced by Chris Kimsey, who had produced the band's 1985 album, Night Time .

Contents

Production

The majority of the album was recorded in Berlin during October 1985 with returning producer Chris Kimsey. The band's stage keyboard player David Kovacevic recalls the recording sessions and time spent in Berlin as "wild". [5] The track "Victory" was recorded months later in Spring 1986, along with "Ecstasy" (the B-side to the Adorations single release), produced by Stewart Levine. The last track to be produced was "A Southern Sky" in August 1986, produced by Chris Tsangarides.

The album, with the exception of "A Southern Sky", was originally mixed by Chris Kimsey. However, E.G. Records requested that all of Kimsey's mixes (bar "Twilight of the Mortal") be replaced with new mixes by Julian Mendelsohn for more commercial appeal, against the wishes of the band. It was these replacement mixes which were ultimately released, with prominent reverb and the guitars and rhythm section generally mixed lower. Some songs were significantly altered, such as extending "Victory" from its original 4 minutes to over 7 in the style of a 12" remix. [2]

The 1986 vinyl release contained only 8 tracks due to the limited runtime of LP records, while the cassette and CD versions both contained 11, each with a slightly different running order, as detailed below. The album reached number 54 in the UK Albums Chart. [3]

At the request of Killing Joke, Chris Kimsey's original mixes were restored when the album was reissued in 2008. The reissue also features bonus tracks, including the B-side "Ecstasy". The verse riff from "Ecstasy" was reused on the track "Obsession" from Killing Joke's next album, Outside the Gate . [2]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [6]
Encyclopedia of Popular Music Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [7]
The Great Rock Discography 6/10 [8]
MusicHound Rock 3/5 [9]
PopMatters 6/10 [2]
Record Mirror 5/5 [10]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [11]
Select 3/5 [12]
Sounds Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [13]
Sputnikmusic 3.5/5 [14]

Brighter Than a Thousand Suns has received a mixed response from music critics. Ned Raggett of AllMusic retrospectively wrote, "Chris Kimsey's production, effective on that earlier album [1985's Night Time], here combines with Julian Mendelsohn's mixing to result too often in blanded-out album rock throwaways". [6] Adrien Begrand of PopMatters wrote in 2008, "Brighter Than a Thousand Suns marked a sharp decline in quality, many viewing it as a complete betrayal of Killing Joke's signature sound, but more than 20 years later, it's surprising how well parts of the album hold up [...] the hooks are undeniable." He goes on to note that the restored Kimsey mix on the 2008 re-issue "blows the old, overpolished mix out of the water." [2]

Track listing

Original vinyl version

All tracks are written by Killing Joke (Jaz Coleman, Geordie Walker, Paul Raven and Paul Ferguson)

Side A
No.TitleLength
1."Adorations"4:39
2."Sanity"4:44
3."Chessboards"5:47
4."Twilight of the Mortal"4:12
Side B
No.TitleLength
1."Love of the Masses"4:54
2."A Southern Sky"4:25
3."Wintergardens"5:24
4."Rubicon"7:06
Original cassette version
Side A
No.TitleLength
1."Adorations" 
2."Sanity" 
3."Chessboards" 
4."Goodbye to the Village" 
5."Wintergardens" 
6."Twilight of the Mortal" 
Side B
No.TitleLength
1."Love of the Masses" 
2."A Southern Sky" 
3."Victory" 
4."Exile" 
5."Rubicon" 
Original CD version
No.TitleLength
1."Adorations"4:42
2."Sanity"4:45
3."Chessboards"5:51
4."Twilight of the Mortal"4:15
5."Love of the Masses"4:40
6."A Southern Sky"4:39
7."Victory"7:11
8."Wintergardens"5:24
9."Rubicon"7:03
10."Goodbye to the Village"5:26
11."Exile"6:38
2008 reissue bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
12."Ecstasy"4:10
13."Adorations" (Supernatural Mix)6:39
14."Sanity" (Insane Mix)6:15

Personnel

Killing Joke
Technical

Charts

Chart (1986)Peak
position
UK Albums Chart 54 [3]
U.S. Billboard 200 194 [15]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Killing Joke</span> English post-punk band

Killing Joke are an English rock band formed in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, in 1979 by Jaz Coleman, Paul Ferguson (drums), Geordie Walker (guitar) and Youth (bass).

<i>Killing Joke</i> (1980 album) 1980 studio album by Killing Joke

Killing Joke is the debut studio album by English post-punk band Killing Joke, released in October 1980 by E.G. via Polydor Records. It debuted at number 41 on the UK Albums Chart on 25 October 1980 and later peaked at number 39.

<i>Night Time</i> (album) 1985 studio album by Killing Joke

Night Time is the fifth studio album by English post-punk band Killing Joke, released in February 1985 by E.G. through Polydor Records and produced by Chris Kimsey.

<i>Whats THIS For...!</i> 1981 studio album by Killing Joke

What's THIS For...! is the second studio album by English post-punk band Killing Joke, released in June 1981 by E.G. via Polydor Records.

<i>Killing Joke</i> (2003 album) 2003 studio album by Killing Joke

Killing Joke is the eleventh studio album by English rock band Killing Joke, released on 28 July 2003 through Zuma Recordings. It was their first album in seven years, following Democracy in 1996, and their second self-titled album, following their debut in 1980. The album was produced by Gang of Four guitarist Andy Gill and features Nirvana drummer and Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl, a long-time Killing Joke fan, on drums. It peaked at number 43 in the UK Albums Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Murder, Inc. (band)</span> American industrial music group

Murder, Inc. was an American industrial music supergroup formed in 1991, featuring vocalist Chris Connelly, Killing Joke members Geordie Walker, Paul Raven, "Big Paul" Ferguson, John Bechdel, and former Public Image Ltd drummer Martin Atkins.

<i>Pandemonium</i> (Killing Joke album) 1994 studio album by Killing Joke

Pandemonium is the ninth studio album by English post-punk band Killing Joke, released on 2 August 1994 by Butterfly Records. The album marked Killing Joke's return after a four-year hiatus, the longest the band had taken since it was founded. It also featured the return of founding member Youth, who replaced Paul Raven on bass.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Kimsey</span> English record producer

Christopher Kenneth Kimsey is an English musician, engineer, and record producer, best known for his work with the Rolling Stones.

<i>Fire Dances</i> 1983 studio album by Killing Joke

Fire Dances is the fourth studio album by English post-punk band Killing Joke, released on 15 July 1983 by E.G. via Polydor Records. It was the band's first album to feature new bass player Paul Raven, recorded at Basing Street Studios in London between February and March 1983. According to Paul Ferguson the band's drug use contributed to the original mix of the album being "tinny".

<i>Outside the Gate</i> 1988 studio album by Killing Joke

Outside the Gate is the seventh studio album by English post-punk band Killing Joke, released in June 1988 by E.G. via Virgin Records worldwide. It was a significant stylistic departure for the band, with complex synthesised arrangements and less prominent guitar. Tensions within the band surfaced during pre-production. Drummer Paul Ferguson was dismissed at the beginning of the sessions and replaced by a studio musician while bassist Paul Raven took part to the recording but ultimately asked his name to be withdrawn from the credits for major disagreement over artistic content. The lead single was "America".

<i>Extremities, Dirt and Various Repressed Emotions</i> 1990 studio album by Killing Joke

Extremities, Dirt and Various Repressed Emotions is the eighth studio album by English post-punk band Killing Joke, released in November 1990 by Noise Records. After the commercial failure of their previous album Outside the Gate in 1988, singer Jaz Coleman and guitarist Geordie Walker were the last remaining members of the group. In December 1988, they recruited new musicians to perform a one-off concert in Porchester and premiered new songs, including early versions of "Extremities" and "The Beautiful Dead". The band didn't have any support of a record company anymore: Virgin had fired them and their label E.G. sued them. Coleman stated that it was a very stressful period of time for him and Walker. The new material was more intense, the band performed it live during a US tour in 1989. Extremities, Dirt and Various Repressed Emotions was recorded in 1990 for a German independent label: bassist Paul Raven was called back before entering into the studio. Drummer Martin Atkins, formerly of Public Image Ltd and Ministry, had joined the band in 1988 and co-composed the songs with Coleman and Walker.

<i>Democracy</i> (album) 1996 studio album by Killing Joke

Democracy is the tenth studio album by English post-punk band Killing Joke, released on 1 April 1996 by Butterfly Records and Big Life.

<i>Hosannas from the Basements of Hell</i> 2006 studio album by Killing Joke

Hosannas from the Basements of Hell is the twelfth studio album by English post-punk band Killing Joke, released on 3 April 2006 by Cooking Vinyl.

<i>Laugh? I Nearly Bought One!</i> 1992 compilation album by Killing Joke

Laugh? I Nearly Bought One! is the first major compilation album by English post-punk band Killing Joke, released in September 1992 by Caroline Records in the U.S. and in October by Virgin Records in the U.K. and Europe.

<i>Ha</i> (Killing Joke album) 1982 live album by Killing Joke

"Ha" or "Ha": Killing Joke Live is the first commercially distributed live recording by English post-punk band Killing Joke. It was recorded at Larry's Hideaway in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on 9 and 10 August 1982 by producer Conny Plank, and released on 4 November by E.G. Records. Rob O'Connor did the artwork for the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eighties (song)</span> 1984 single by Killing Joke

"Eighties" is the lead single from English post-punk band Killing Joke's fifth studio album, Night Time (1985), produced by Chris Kimsey. The song had been premiered during a three track live performance for UK TV show The Tube in December 1983. Upon its release, the single reached No. 60 in the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adorations</span> Song by Killing Joke

"Adorations" is Killing Joke's first single from their sixth studio album, Brighter than a Thousand Suns, released in August 1986. All of the releases were mixed by Julian Mendelsohn and Zeus B. Held, and produced by Chris Kimsey and Stewart Levine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sanity (song)</span> 1986 Killing Joke song

"Sanity" is Killing Joke's second single from their sixth studio album, Brighter Than a Thousand Suns. It was released on 30 October 1986. The single peaked at No. 70 in the UK Singles chart. All of the releases were mixed by Julian Mendelsohn and Zeus B. Held, and produced by Chris Kimsey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Killing Joke discography</span> List of recordings by English band Killing Joke

The discography of Killing Joke, a British rock band, consists of 15 studio albums, seven live albums, 14 compilation albums, five extended plays (EPs), 31 singles and four video albums. The band formed in late 1978–early 1979 in Notting Hill, London, England.

<i>Absolute Dissent</i> 2010 studio album by Killing Joke

Absolute Dissent is the thirteenth studio album by English post-punk band Killing Joke, released on 27 September 2010 by Spinefarm Records, distributed worldwide by Universal Music Group.

References

  1. ↑ "Music Week" (PDF). p. 28.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Begrand, Adrien (30 April 2008). "Fun & Games: Killing Joke in the Mid-'80s". PopMatters . Archived from the original on 13 November 2013. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 "Brighter Than a Thousand Suns Killing Joke - UK Official Charts". Official Charts . Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  4. ↑ "Killing Joke - Night Time UK Official Charts". Official Charts . Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  5. ↑ Hämäläinen, Jyrki "Spider" (2020). Killing Joke: Are You Receiving?, p. 104. Milton Keynes: New Haven Publishing. ISBN   978-1912587407.
  6. 1 2 Raggett, Ned. "Brighter Than a Thousand Suns – Killing Joke | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards | AllMusic". AllMusic . Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  7. ↑ Larkin, Colin (2007). "Killing Joke". The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (4th ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN   978-0195313734.
  8. ↑ Strong, Martin C. (2004). "Killing Joke". The Great Rock Discography (7 ed.). Canongate Books. p.  821-822. ISBN   1-84195-615-5.
  9. ↑ Holtje, Steve (1999). "Killing Joke". In Graff, Gary; Durchholz, Daniel (eds.). MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide (loan required). Detroit: Visible Ink Press. pp.  629–630. ISBN   978-1-57859-061-2 – via the Internet Archive.
  10. ↑ Culp, Nancy (15 November 1986). "Killing Joke: Brighter Than a Thousand Suns". Record Mirror . Vol. 33. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  11. ↑ Evans, Paul (1992). "Killing Joke". In DeCurtis, Anthony; Henke, James; George-Warren, Holly (eds.). The Rolling Stone Album Guide (3rd ed.). Random House. pp.  393. ISBN   0-679-73729-4.
  12. ↑ Perry, Neil (July 1991). "Killing Joke". Select . p.  86.
  13. ↑ Cook, Richard (15 November 1986). "Killing Joke: Brighter Than A Thousand Suns (EG)***". Sounds . Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  14. ↑ Trey (22 October 2007). "Review: Killing Joke: Brighter Than a Thousand Suns". Sputnikmusic . Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  15. ↑ "Brighter Than a Thousand Suns – Killing Joke | Awards | AllMusic". AllMusic . Retrieved 1 February 2015.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.