Killing Joke anyone???


So I've always been a fan of theirs, but never bought anything by them.  I finally bought a few of their CDs a few weeks ago, among them, Hosannas.  Because of time constraints, I couldn't find the time to get to my main rig, until last night.   I had an idea what I would be in for on Hosannas based on what I heard in the car.  But no, I wasn't even close. I was so far off.  The amount of sound and dynamics and energy and literally visceral impact was something I hadn't experienced before from my main rig that I thought I had experienced with other CDs.  But clearly, not like this. My eyes and my ears were at odds with each other because the equipment I was looking at, I thought, was not capable of producing that type of enormity.   It was a giant wall of music that made me feel like I was at one of their concerts, only better.  I felt like I was punched in the face at the very opening of the first track.  I sat back and took the best beating of my life because it only got better.   What a recording.  I was left open-mouthed and dumbfounded.  I'd love to hear anyone's similar experience, regardless of artist.
shtinkydog
LJ:  funny you mentioned the word polished.  right after hossanas, I threw on Depeche Mode's lie to me, just so my ears would adjust and unplug, recover, if that's the right word.  I swear it sounded like soooper dooooper clean syrup or something.  I had to laugh.  hossanas earfukt me like no other.   :)
I loved KJ from the moment I first heard them in 1980. Their music IS like a wall of sound. As Loomis stated, their later releases became highly polished and more like club music, even with the energy and angst.
They returned to their raw sound with the original members on their album Absolute Dissent. Fantastic songs, unfortunately they're unlistenable due to overcompression. No more textured production and dynamics from this point on.

57:  I bought Absolute Dissent recently also.  I haven't gotten into that one yet.  But I'm really looking forward to hearing it, that's for sure.
I love killing joke. Can’t believe this discussion. So intense. Their  self titled album is one of my all time favs. I will definitely give hosannas a try. Don’t forget that Nirvana ripped them off and they were super cool about it. 
If you were around in the 80s or even if you weren't, check out the song and the video "Eighties." It's a defining moment for the band and  politics in the UK.

Definitely don't need a high-end system to listen to KJ. But I wonder if there is a better recording than the Redbook "Absolute Dissent."
Will have to check out Hosannas.