Night Time

Released in 1985, Night Time represents Killing Joke's most successful pivot toward a broader audience without sacrificing their signature intensity. Following a period of internal instability and a brief hiatus, the band returned with a sound that integrated the emerging gothic rock and new wave aesthetics into their tribal post-punk framework. Produced by Chris Kimsey, known for his work with the Rolling Stones, the album features a significantly more polished production style than their previous efforts. Geordie Walker's guitar work on this record is particularly influential, utilizing a heavy chorus effect that would define the 'metallic' sound of the era. The track 'Eighties' became a cultural touchstone, later cited in a legal dispute regarding its similarity to Nirvana's 'Come as You Are'. Critically, the album is viewed as a masterpiece of the genre, successfully balancing the band's occult and political obsessions with accessible, anthemic songwriting.