"Absolute Dissent" is the thirteenth studio album by English post-punk band Killing Joke, released on September 27, 2010, through Spinefarm Records. Marking a significant return, it's the first album in 28 years featuring the band's original lineup: Jaz Coleman (vocals), Kevin "Geordie" Walker (guitar), Martin "Youth" Glover (bass), and Paul Ferguson (drums). This release also comes after the passing of long-time bassist Paul Raven in 2007.
The album was produced by the band and engineered by Clive Goddard. It was made available in several formats, including CD, double colored vinyl, and a two-disc deluxe edition. The deluxe edition features a bonus disc titled Absolute Respect, which includes cover versions of Killing Joke songs by notable artists such as Metallica, Nine Inch Nails, and Foo Fighters. Absolute Dissent represents a powerful reunion for the band, blending their signature sound with contemporary influences.
After reuniting at Paul Raven's funeral in October 2007, the original lineup of Killing Joke—Jaz Coleman, Geordie Walker, Youth, and Paul Ferguson—decided to work together again for the first time since 1982. The sense of mortality and shared grief inspired them to create new music.
During the summer of 2009, while rehearsing for gigs, the band began crafting new songs, eventually writing over twenty tracks for the album. The initial sessions yielded nine songs, followed by an additional nine, impressing their record label with the fresh material.
Martin "Youth" Glover described the process as a journey filled with challenges, expressing excitement about the album's power and beauty after months of dedication. The album was recorded across locations in London, Spain, and Prague, with all members contributing to the songwriting and composition. It was engineered and mixed by Clive Goddard and produced by the band themselves. Initially, the album was set to be titled Feast of Fools before ultimately becoming Absolute Dissent.
