Previously unreleased Steve Albini sessions and live recordings from 1988 by Killing Joke to be released on vinyl

For collectors devoted to all things Killing Joke, a monumental vinyl release is on the horizon that may leave you awestruck. Overdrive Records and Invisible Records, in a collaborative effort, are set to unveil what they’ve dubbed the ultimate gem for die-hard fans of the band. The long-awaited release is slated for February 27, 2026, offering aficionados a vinyl release that brings together the iconic Steve Albini demo sessions and a recording from a clandestine 1988 show.

This release plummets listeners into the raw, raucous beginnings of the Extremities, Dirt And Various Repressed Emotions era. One side of the vinyl showcases the “Black Cassette” demos, meticulously recorded in Chicago at Steve Albini’s residence. Reports suggest that these sessions were characterized by their intensity, featuring Geordie and Martin Atkins pouring their frustration into a blistering and unfiltered sound, while Albini rushed between the basement drum room and the pantry control room. This recording encapsulates the band in a stripped-down, aggressive state that would later define their 1990 album.

The flip side of the release reveals a piece of history: snippets from Martin Atkins’ inaugural performance with the band. Captured at Burberries in Birmingham on December 20, 1988, this clandestine show marked the debut of tracks like “Extremities” and “The Fanatic” in an intimate, mirror-clad club. The recording encapsulates a night of chaos, capturing the nascent phases of the blast beats and controlled rage that characterized the band’s sound during that period. Furthermore, it showcases Jaz Coleman’s “theatrical yet intensely authentic laughter,” which alone justifies the cost of admission.

Multiple versions of this release are available for discerning fans to add to their collection. You can secure a copy in classic Black, a White edition exclusive to independent record stores, a Red variant offered solely by Invisible Records, or a limited Splatter edition from the Overdrive store, with only 350 copies available worldwide.

Enthusiasts eager to acquire a piece of post-punk history can take advantage of pre-orders, currently accessible through Overdrive directly and on their Bandcamp page. With an offering as rare and coveted as this one, it’s a chance to own a unique fragment of Killing Joke’s artistic evolution.