Jaz Coleman is a rather incredible character. First of all, the leader of Killing Joke has many things to share regarding his view of the world. Carried away by his convictions and his ideas, he sometimes even forgets to answer the questions you’re actually asking him. His mind is so lively that the journalist who tries to interview him cannot help but feel a little useless. So you just let him talk, listen to him attentively, laugh at his sallies and nod at his humanist ideals.

What’s more, Coleman is one of those rare people whose words are actually in accord with their actions. The most compelling proof is that the man lives in perfect harmony with nature on a small island in the Pacific, three hours from New Zealand if you jump on a plane, where he enjoys neither electricity nor telephone. For the anecdote, at the end of the interview, we asked him if he wanted us to send him the link to the article. To which he replied: “Absolutely! But I don’t have a phone or a computer, so good luck with that!” Followed by one of the infectious laughs that punctuated the entire conversation. An incredible character, we’re telling you.

This interview was a good opportunity to penetrate the mind and way of thinking of this extraordinary artist. His answers regarding Killing Joke’s new album, MMXII, will show you that the use that was made of the end-of-the-world-in-2012 subject is much more subtle than one might think at first. We were recently writing: “With this album portraying the end of the world and its context, Coleman is actually aiming at an ‘after’”. Which Coleman confirms by exposing his thoughts on a new beginning for mankind, fundamentally focused on nature, sharing and love.

But let’s not spoil the interview any further, and let the man speak for himself.

Interview.