Disclaimer: Yes, I know this is not a metal band. As far as I know, the most accurate label for Joy Division would be post-punk or new wave. They deserve a place on here, however, because of what they meant to the music world as a whole, and I’m quite sure they have enough in common with the world of metal to fit in without too much hassle. While I dislike resorting to apologetics to defend my reviews, I feel that in this case it is somewhat necessary. Just be glad you’re not reading my analysis of Biffy Clyro’s latest album. But I digress.

“I’ve been waiting for a guide to come and take me by the hand/give me sensations, let me feel the pleasures of another land…”

Thus begins Disorder, the first song of what is arguably one of the best albums of all time. The first time I heard it, as the rawness of the primal drum beat and the rumbling punch of the bass hit my gut, I knew I had found my guide. (I shall ignore for all purposes other than anecdotal entertainment the fact that I initially misheard the lyrics to say, “I’ve been waiting for a guy to come and take me by the hand/Give me sensations let me feel the pleasures of another man.”) Ian Curtis was able to croon with anger, to screech with tenderness, and to embody perfectly the idealization and affected glory of a man fighting not with society, not with God, not with the government, but one of the most destructive battles a human being can engage with- fighting himself and the inevitable, relentless mortality that Curtis’ epilepsy kept him in constant awareness of. Joy Division made me realize that I needn’t limit myself to the vicious aggression of strict metal in order to find darkness and existentialism in music. Anger only gets you so far. Joy Division is the next step, taking punk’s simplistic brutality and blind lashing out and channelling it towards something actually constructively introspective. My appreciation for Joy Division has also helped me be more susceptible to those brave souls who decide to depart from the severity of traditional definition and engage in what might be best defined as post-metal – bands like Pelican, Jesu, etc. Joy Division is much more than just music; it is a landmark in contemporary music’s journey into the human psyche. What Curtis did had an impact that has already outlived him tenfold and will continue to do so.

But even disregarding that, my god, what music! Everything is perfect. Not a note sounds out of place. The cohesion between musicians is an exemplary embodiment of the concept of “less is more”. Guitarist Bernard Sumner adopted a minimalist position towards riffs and solos, letting the atmosphere carry the force of the song, yet still retaining the core elements of what makes a song catchy. (This is one of the more obvious ways in which one can see their influence from the punk scene.) Peter Hook is one of my favourite bass players, not because of his technical skill, but because his implementation of the instrument is one of the most interesting I’ve ever come across. He uses it as a melodic tool, creating the backbone of each piece with repetitive, soul penetrating measures. The most poignant example of this is the riff to She’s Lost Control. Yet at the end of the day it was Curtis who had everyone hooked.

While a lot of Joy Division’s appeal depended on Curtis’ personal pain and his ability to express it, I still think Unknown Pleasures is the best thing these musicians ever did, despite the fact that Curtis’ condition only worsened during the recording of Closer (which was actually released after his death). I can’t quite place it- maybe the songs are better, maybe the energy is fresher, but I’ve always Joy Division’s earlier work to be more enjoyable. Even though the production is shoddier, it sounds more genuine. I had envisioned having to force myself to wrap this review up pre-emptively, but ironically, I have run out of things to say- a perfect album does not allow for much diversity in comment.

Get this, if you don’t have it. If you do, listen to it again. And then get their singles. And then get Closer. And then watch the film Closer. And if you don’t love Joy Division after that, you should phone the Templeton foundation and inform them that you’ve disproved the existence of the soul.