Exorcism (song)
Encyclopedia
"Exorcism" is Killing Joke's first single off their ninth studio album, Pandemonium
. It was released on March 11, 1994.
"Exorcism", like "Money is Not Our God
", also failed to chart on the UK Singles Charts.
agreed to take a hiatus from writing studio material. Although the song "Change" was remixed by Martin Glover
in 1992, the band decided to take another year off until Youth was ready to return to the band. In an interview with Alternative Nation MTV and Paul King in April 1994, after the release of Pandemonium, Coleman
described that he was "not together "walking the shores", if you like," in response to the 10 year period of Youth's absence and the flee to Iceland (see: "Empire Song
"). "I feel that the difference between now and the early days is we feel more focused, we feel more in control of our own destinies, if we want to put out a record, we put out a record. We don't ask for permission from anyone and we decide things within our own group as individuals." In mid 1993, Killing Joke began writing new material of aggression, anger, energy, hatred, and salvation; all apparent in the album. In August of that same year, they performed "Exorcism" for the first time live in Cairo, Egypt. The band went on to release four singles across several formats and a live EP.
The second release of "Exorcism" was on a 12" single, also under Butterfly Records. According to Discogs
, the 12" release of "Exorcism" had only 750 copies printed. Each release had a label that was either numbered handwritten or stamped on the inner sleeve of the B-side. However, some unnumbered copies are still in existence. This was also an unofficial format of the single and did not feature "Another Cult Goes Down (Probello Mix)" on the B-side.
As named in the remixes, Mandra Gora (real name: Johann Bley) remixed "Exorcism" along with Total Eclipse (real name: Stephane Holweck) respectively. Greg Hunter co-produced and engineered "Exorcism" and Pandemonium.
hasn't forgotten the power of sheer intensity, and if Ferguson's
sheer power and inventiveness is missed the most here, the results are still a thrilling, fierce listen." Adrien Begrand of PopMatters
praised "Exorcism": "[It] is every bit as vicious as Pandemonium is stately, a seven and a half minute explosion of industrial-fused rage, Coleman commanding in his Lemmy-esque voice, 'Watch the ugliness rise… Let it out, let it rise,' punctuating the verses with vulgar hacks and coughs."
Side B
Side B
Pandemonium (Killing Joke album)
Pandemonium is the tenth studio album by Killing Joke released in June, 1994, under the Zoo label.This album marked Killing Joke's return after a four year long hiatus, the longest the band has taken since it was initially founded...
. It was released on March 11, 1994.
"Exorcism", like "Money is Not Our God
Money Is Not Our God
"Money Is Not Our God" is Killing Joke's second and only official single off their eighth studio album, Extremities, Dirt & Various Repressed Emotions. It was released on January 3, 1991, under Aggressive Rockproduktionen....
", also failed to chart on the UK Singles Charts.
Background
In 1990, Killing JokeKilling Joke
Killing Joke are an English post-punk band formed in October 1978 in Notting Hill, London, England; other sources report the band formed in early 1979.Related news articles: Founding members Jaz Coleman and Geordie Walker have been the only constant members.A key influence on industrial rock,...
agreed to take a hiatus from writing studio material. Although the song "Change" was remixed by Martin Glover
Martin Glover
Martin Glover, also known as Youth, is a record producer and a founding member and bassist of the UK band Killing Joke. He is a member of The Fireman along with Paul McCartney. Glover was born in Africa.-Early career:...
in 1992, the band decided to take another year off until Youth was ready to return to the band. In an interview with Alternative Nation MTV and Paul King in April 1994, after the release of Pandemonium, Coleman
Jaz Coleman
Jeremy "Jaz" Coleman is a musician, composer, singer-songwriter and record producer. He is notable for his vocal contributions to rock band Killing Joke...
described that he was "not together "walking the shores", if you like," in response to the 10 year period of Youth's absence and the flee to Iceland (see: "Empire Song
Empire Song
Empire Song is Killing Joke's first single off their third studio album, Revelations. It was released under E'G Records in March, 1982, and reached number forty-three in the UK Singles Chart that same month. Polydor also released Empire Song as a single in Ireland...
"). "I feel that the difference between now and the early days is we feel more focused, we feel more in control of our own destinies, if we want to put out a record, we put out a record. We don't ask for permission from anyone and we decide things within our own group as individuals." In mid 1993, Killing Joke began writing new material of aggression, anger, energy, hatred, and salvation; all apparent in the album. In August of that same year, they performed "Exorcism" for the first time live in Cairo, Egypt. The band went on to release four singles across several formats and a live EP.
Releases
"Exorcism" was released in several version including remixes and live performances. The original album version was not featured on any of the releases. The first release of "Exorcism" was a 10" and CD single, both under Butterfly Records, a label created by Martin "Youth" Glover who has been the producer and returning bassist of Killing Joke ever since Pandemonium. The A-side featured "Exorcism (Live in King's Chamber, Cairo August 1993 Mix) Edit" and "Exorcism (A Germanic Interpretation)(Unification Catastrophe-Full Length Mandra Gora Remix)". The B-side featured "Whiteout (The Intellect is Ugly Remix)(Mandra Gora Edit)" (original version found on Pandemonium), "Another Cult Goes Down (Protobello Mix)" (later released on the 2005 re-release of Pandemonium), and "Exorcism (The Bretonic Revenge)(Total Eclipse Remix Edit)".The second release of "Exorcism" was on a 12" single, also under Butterfly Records. According to Discogs
Discogs
Discogs, short for discographies, is a website and database of information about audio recordings, including commercial releases, promotional releases, and bootleg or off-label releases. The Discogs servers, currently hosted under the domain name discogs.com, are owned by Zink Media, Inc., and are...
, the 12" release of "Exorcism" had only 750 copies printed. Each release had a label that was either numbered handwritten or stamped on the inner sleeve of the B-side. However, some unnumbered copies are still in existence. This was also an unofficial format of the single and did not feature "Another Cult Goes Down (Probello Mix)" on the B-side.
As named in the remixes, Mandra Gora (real name: Johann Bley) remixed "Exorcism" along with Total Eclipse (real name: Stephane Holweck) respectively. Greg Hunter co-produced and engineered "Exorcism" and Pandemonium.
Reception
Ned Raggert of Allmusic described "Exorcism" as a "straight-ahead rampage" and "shows that Killing JokeKilling Joke
Killing Joke are an English post-punk band formed in October 1978 in Notting Hill, London, England; other sources report the band formed in early 1979.Related news articles: Founding members Jaz Coleman and Geordie Walker have been the only constant members.A key influence on industrial rock,...
hasn't forgotten the power of sheer intensity, and if Ferguson's
Paul Ferguson
Paul Ferguson is a rock drummer, best known for his work in the post-punk/industrial group, Killing Joke, and cult English punk band, Pink Parts. Ferguson was a founder member of Killing Joke, and was their drummer from 1978 to 1987, and was known as 'Big Paul Ferguson' during this period...
sheer power and inventiveness is missed the most here, the results are still a thrilling, fierce listen." Adrien Begrand of PopMatters
PopMatters
PopMatters is an international webzine of cultural criticism that covers many aspects of popular culture. PopMatters publishes reviews, interviews, and detailed essays on most cultural products and expressions in areas such as music, television, films, books, video games, comics, sports, theater,...
praised "Exorcism": "[It] is every bit as vicious as Pandemonium is stately, a seven and a half minute explosion of industrial-fused rage, Coleman commanding in his Lemmy-esque voice, 'Watch the ugliness rise… Let it out, let it rise,' punctuating the verses with vulgar hacks and coughs."
10" single
Side A- "Exorcism (Live In King's Chamber Cairo August 1993 Mix) Edit" – 05:24
- "Exorcism (A Germanic Interpretation) (Unification Catastrophe - Full Length Mandra Gora Remix)" – 07:30Mixed by Mandra Gora
Side B
- "Whiteout (The Intellect Is Ugly Remix) (Mandra Gora Edit)" – 04:13
- "Another Cult Goes Down (Portobello Mix)" – 06:17
- "Exorcism (The Bretonic Revenge) (Total Eclipse Remix Edit)" – 06:12Mixed by Total Eclipse
12" single
Side A- "Exorcism (Live In King's Chamber Cairo August 1993 Mix) Edit" – 05:24
- "Exorcism (A Germanic Interpretation) (Unification Catastrophe - Full Length Mandra Gora Remix)" – 07:30
Side B
- "Whiteout (The Intellect Is Ugly Remix) (Mandra Gora Edit)" – 04:13
- "Another Cult Goes Down (Portobello Mix)" – 06:17
- "Exorcism (The Bretonic Revenge) (Total Eclipse Remix Edit)" – 06:12
CD single
- "Exorcism (Live In King's Chamber Cairo August 1993 Mix (Edit))" – 05:24
- "Exorcism (A Germanic Interpretation) (Unification Catastrophe - Full Length Mandra Gora Remix)" – 07:30
- "Whiteout (The Intellect Is Ugly Remix) (Mandra Gora Edit)" – 04:13
- "Another Cult Goes Down (Portobello Mix)" – 06:17
- "Exorcism (The Bretonic Revenge) (Total Eclipse Remix Edit)" – 06:12