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Editorial Reviews

Even though he was a member of Killing Joke Mach 2, the 2007 funeral of bassist Paul Raven brought the original KJ lineup 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 captured here. On the first two discs, 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. Discs three and four are from the second night where some of the previous night's big hits get repeat airings, along with quite a few selections from the 1994 album Pandemonium, which marked the band's short-lived reunion with Youth. Newer songs like the mammoth "Asteroid" plus the fast, punkish, and previously unheard number "Time Wave" also appear, and the whole affair ends on a high note with three classics building towards the quintessential KJ closer, "Wardance." Coleman's croaking voice stands the test and his in-between song banter is as rousing as ever with some touching references to Raven and KJ's history. 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. It also honors the departed Raven with all the thunder and thud that's required. [The limited-edition, four-disc box set contained bonus tracks.] David Jeffries, All Music Guide