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Absolute Dissent
by
Absolute Dissent Image
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 9 Ratings

  • Summary: The 14th studio album from the UK masters of doom-and-gloom metal is their first album in 28 years featuring the band's original lineup.
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  • Record Label: Fontana / Interscope / Spinefarm Records
  • Genre(s): Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Dusted Magazine
    Nov 19, 2010
    90
    Absolute Dissent reaches a few new peaks, no doubt. The band is still challenging itself, much like art punk peers Wire, The Fall and Nick Cave have in the past decade.
  2. AllMusic
    Dec 20, 2010
    90
    They're playing at full strength, with the rhythm section pumping hard on the opening title track and the three that follow it.
  3. Mojo
    Nov 19, 2010
    80
    From the title track's monolithic defiance down, this one's an out-of-the-blue, anti-establishment classic. [Nov. 2010, p. 106]
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  4. PopMatters
    Nov 19, 2010
    80
    Apart from the highlights, the sound of Absolute Dissent is remarkably consistent-mostly straightforward rockers with some combination of tuneful singing and gravel-tinged bellowing over the top, well produced and tightly performed.
  5. Kerrang!
    Nov 19, 2010
    60
    Thirty years on from the release of their earth-jolting, trouble-divining self-titled debut, Killing Joke show no signs of either mellowing or cracking a smile. [Sept. 25, 2010, p. 51]
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  6. Alternative Press
    Dec 16, 2010
    60
    Instead of building on their strengths, frontman Jaz Coleman & Co. have backslid into subdued sogginess of the band's mid-period. [Jan 2010, p.91]
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  7. NOW Magazine
    Nov 30, 2010
    60
    The tracks are long, grinding and relentlessly angry about the state of the world.

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User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. bagelradio
    Feb 17, 2011
    10
    My "metal phase" began and ended with Killing Joke. This album vindicates that dalliance, putting to shame most of the hard rock and faux punkMy "metal phase" began and ended with Killing Joke. This album vindicates that dalliance, putting to shame most of the hard rock and faux punk I've heard in the last 20 years. Power. Aggression. And messages. And a point. While not perfect, it is so good it defies all expectations.… Expand
  2. Alchemica
    Jun 26, 2011
    10
    This album is the best way to discover or explore almost every aspect of the music Killing Joke has been doing during the last 30 years. LikeThis album is the best way to discover or explore almost every aspect of the music Killing Joke has been doing during the last 30 years. Like its 5 most recent predecessors, Absolute Dissent is a definitive collection of anger, hate, beauty, love and... something extra that we might call magic. Even if you liked only one of their many musical eras, you will find at least one song that will suit you. Once again, this is not the "definitive album" some fans were waiting for, because such a thing will never exist, but it is obviously an excellent piece of work.… Expand