Revelations is Killing Joke‘s third album, and is the first that shows the band in a definite regression. It’s true that What’s THIS For…! was not up to the quality of their first album in terms of innovation or songwriting, but it wasn’t far behind and helped make up for its shortcomings with a stronger emphasis on tribal percussion and repetitive rhythms that gave it its own identity.

So what does Revelations have to offer in comparison? Not much. The percussion isn’t nearly as strong as What’s THIS For…! or even the first album, and we see a further decline in use of synthesizers, as they’re all but gone on Revelations. It’s actually kind of neat how they’re used here though, showing up sporadically and having a light, twinkling sound to them instead of the heavy and ugly (yet lovable) blotches they were on the previous two albums. This change alone could have helped give Revelations its own sound, but alas the synthesizers are still almost never used.

Revelations is entirely guitar-driven. Seriously, Geordie Walker almost NEVER stops riffing. I would compliment it by calling it a “forceful assault.” but there’s nothing threatening about these forgettable melodies and weak hooks.

There’s some production problems here, as well. I love the buzzsaw guitar sound of Revelations, but it’s mixed way too far above everything else, along with the vocals. Where is the bass? The powerful percussion that dominated What’s THIS For…! and drove the mechanical beats of the self-titled debut has become buried. Walker is a great guitarist to be certain, but the other instruments should have attention given to them, too.

I wouldn’t really call any songs on Revelations essential material by Killing Joke, and naturally I’d say the same for the album as a whole. The most interesting thing about Revelations is that it shows the beginning of the poppier guitar-driven sound that the far superior Night Time would use as a base. Start with a different Killing Joke album or make Revelations one of your last Killing Joke listens, if anything.