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Pylon
by
Pylon Image
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 15 Ratings

  • Summary: The 16th studio release for the British rock band was produced with Tom Dalget.
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Top Track

Euphoria
Overcast, the branches bare The autumn leaves have fallen I can hear the magpies laugh I can't shake this melancholy And then the cloud breaks A ray... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. Exclaim
    Oct 22, 2015
    90
    Pylon is sweet 16 for these 50-somethings, and honestly, it couldn't be sweeter; Killing Joke are still promoting the driving dynamics of post-punk, and still doing it better than the rest.
  2. Classic Rock Magazine
    Oct 22, 2015
    80
    There’s much to enjoy about Pylon, not least on the punitive, jet-black musical side of things.
  3. Drowned In Sound
    Oct 22, 2015
    80
    The musicality on Pylon remains suitably elastic.
  4. Uncut
    Oct 22, 2015
    80
    Pylon sees Killing Joke maintain the late-career renaissance precipitated by the original lineup reuniting for 2010's Absolute Dissent. [Nov 2015, p.77]
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  5. Record Collector
    Nov 6, 2015
    80
    Pylon is propulsive, girder-heavy and demands to be played loud. But like the best of their oeuvre, from early single Requiem to last album MMXII, it features chord progressions of intense melodic beauty like glimmers of the divine shining through the depths of hell.
  6. PopMatters
    Nov 17, 2015
    80
    As minacious and filled with foreboding as Pylon is, it is also melodic, catchy, and downright fun.
  7. Consequence
    Oct 26, 2015
    50
    The finished product is still strong and consistent, to be sure, but with the lack of variety, Pylon is likely to be remembered as an album that just kept a constant rhythm for 56 minutes.

See all 11 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. Rockman1976
    May 11, 2016
    10
    Excellent album from legends of post-punk apocalyptic music!!! Don't miss bonus tracks on deluxe edition, Star Spangled is one of their best.Excellent album from legends of post-punk apocalyptic music!!! Don't miss bonus tracks on deluxe edition, Star Spangled is one of their best. Keep it coming guys you are awesome!!!… Expand
  2. HairyGair
    Oct 10, 2020
    10
    There are not many politically motivated, heavy metal/punk bands out there these days, but in a time where we all need a reminder how bad theThere are not many politically motivated, heavy metal/punk bands out there these days, but in a time where we all need a reminder how bad the future is going to be (it is 2020 after all), Killing Joke’s 15th studio album ‘Pylon’ ticks all the boxes. The booming drone of Jaz Coleman tears your eardrums a new hole, whilst the riffs of Martin Glover and Geordie absolutely blow most of the stuff I’ve ever listened too, out of the water, and with one of the worlds greatest ever drummers on the skins, ‘Big’ Paul Ferguson doesn’t let up in a rip-roaring, non-stop smash fest. Did I mention I like the album? Get it.… Expand
  4. Cromwell63
    Oct 23, 2015
    10
    an excellent album from the four men of the apocalypse!
    Killing Joke simply keep on improving and this album shows the quality and variety of    an excellent album from the four men of the apocalypse!
    Killing Joke simply keep on improving and this album shows the quality and variety of their song creation and masterful delivery.
    Geordie, Jaz, Paul and Youth…the end of the world awaits you…    … Expand
  5. jaspy77
    Nov 11, 2015
    9
    Amazing álbum. The best record they have done in years. Mixture of old & new Killing Joke. I am in love with the band again. Best songs:Amazing álbum. The best record they have done in years. Mixture of old & new Killing Joke. I am in love with the band again. Best songs: Autonomous Zone, New Cold War, Big Buzz or Euforia… Expand
  6. EweLewz
    Nov 16, 2015
    8
    IMO, This album is a more refined version of "Hosannas" which never took off. Geordie's ever present crunch sound takes melodic twists, whichIMO, This album is a more refined version of "Hosannas" which never took off. Geordie's ever present crunch sound takes melodic twists, which was previously missing. My favorite track is New Jerusalem, which is just plain bad-ass. Jazz's vocals do sound strained at times, but for his age, I have no complaints. I found Big Buzz a refreshing change to their usual apocalyptic-type hammering. 50 years from now, Killing Joke will be remembered as not only as pioneers of the genre, but for their intense passion. Killing Joke and Ministry set the stage for many bands already forgotten. Nobody under the age of 40 has the right to critique them.… Expand
  7. Ledgo
    Oct 17, 2022
    7
    Hard fast heavy - any track on this album would be a highlight on any of the first albums - KJ still surprise me.
  8. nirvanafreak
    Oct 29, 2015
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Favourite Songs: Euphoria, Autonomous Zone
    Least Favourite Songs: Delete
    This album definitely marks the end of Killing Joke being a legendary band. Their old music may have influenced many popular artists in music (like Nine Inch Nails and Soundgarden who have both created masterpieces) but the music they make now sounds no where near as genre defining or even as good as their old stuff. First off, Jaz's voice is clearly fading away on these tracks. It's been like that for nearly a decade now and for a man of his age it's not a surprise but I just don't want to hear it when I'm listening to an album. Instrumentally it's pretty tiresome as well with the same mix of heavy guitars and drums that sound as if they could've just been looped during verses. When each track is 6 minutes long that becomes even more painful. I have to admit, when it comes to the choruses the guitar work becomes a bit more interesting but it's still not layered enough for its length.
    Improvement On Previous Project?: No
    Try This If You Like: Drones by Muse    … Expand

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