"Killing Joke" is the debut studio album by the English post-punk band Killing Joke, released in October 1980 by E.G. via Polydor Records. The album debuted at number 41 on the UK Albums Chart on October 25, 1980, eventually peaking at number 39.
Singer and keyboardist Jaz Coleman met drummer Paul Ferguson in late 1978. In February 1979, they placed an announcement in Melody Maker seeking a bassist, stating: "Bass, lead, to tell the killing joke, we mean it man! Total exploitation, no information, anonymity." They soon added guitarist Geordie Walker and bassist Youth to the lineup. After releasing a few singles, they recorded the album in August 1980 at Marquee Studios in London, following a small tour promoting the Almost Red EP.
The band self-produced the album, wanting an engineer who would understand their vision. They aimed for a raw, live sound with minimal overdubs. Engineer Phil Harding noted that the recording process might have taken only two weeks. The lyrics, written by Coleman and Ferguson, address themes like politics, death, hypocrisy, human nature, pollution, and exile.
The album cover features a photograph by Don McCullin, depicting young rioters escaping clouds of CS gas released by the British Army during the Troubles in Derry, Northern Ireland, in July 1971. This image was taken shortly before the events of Bloody Sunday in early 1972.
Killing Joke was released in October 1980 and entered the UK Albums Chart later that month, reaching number 39. The album produced two singles: "Wardance" and "Requiem."
Reissues in 2005 and 2008 included bonus tracks such as previously released B-sides and demos. In 2020, Spinefarm Records reissued the album as part of the band's 40th anniversary celebration.
