Killing Joke - What's This For (1981)

Socially conscious lyrics and aggressive, wardance-like songs dot What's This For, another essential piece in the Killing Joke puzzle. This sophomore effort finds the band experimenting more with non-traditional song-structures; employing atonality and irregular syncopation, it skillfully uses its music to supplement its message. The album has an overall militaristic feel that Killing Joke shed in later years. Notable cuts include the drum-machine driven “Butcher,” and “Follow the Leader” which owes as much to early techno as it does to punk rock–an interesting combination. What's This For is a crucial step in Killing Joke’s evolution from anarchist punk-rockers to sophisticated, genre-busting musical propagandists.

Jaz Coleman: vocals & keyboards
Geordie: guitars
Paul Raven: bass
Martin Atkins: drums

1. The Fall Of Because (5:14)
2. Tension (4:32)
3. Unspeakable (5:14)
4. Butcher (6:06)
5. Follow The Leaders (5:35)
6. Madness (7:42)
7. Who Told You How (3:36)
8. Exit (3:36)

MP3 Part1
MP3 Part2