AMG Review of Outside the Gate [Bonus Tracks]

David Jeffries
All Music Guide

Outside the Gate was not originally meant to be a Killing Joke album, at least not by the band. It was a solo album by lead singer Jaz Coleman -- with KJ guitarist Geordie Walker helping out -- until the record label got the band's name onto the cover. Here Coleman tries to become a bona fide singer rather than just a vocalist, and turns his usual growl and shout into a croon, acting as if he's Freddie Mercury and David Bowie mashed together. This album may be of interest to some completists. [The 2008 reissue of Outside the Gate adds remastered sound and seven bonus tracks including demos, remixes, and B-sides.]