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Metal, Industrial, Post Rock |
Godflesh are an industrial metal band from Birmingham, England, United Kingdom, formed in 1988 by Justin Karl
Broadrick(guitar, vocals,and programming) and G. C. Green (bass). They are highly regarded as one of the founders of
industrial metal. The groupdisbanded in 2002but reformed in 2010, appearing in few festivals and starting to produce a new
studio album.
In 1988, Broadrick contacted Green about reforming Fall Of Because, who fell apart in 1987. Justin decided to take over
onguitars, andthey chose to use a drum machine to replace Justin as a drummer. The newly formed b ...read more
Godflesh are an industrial metal band from Birmingham, England, United Kingdom, formed in 1988 by Justin Karl
Broadrick(guitar, vocals,and programming) and G. C. Green (bass). They are highly regarded as one of the founders of
industrial metal. The groupdisbanded in 2002but reformed in 2010, appearing in few festivals and starting to produce a new
studio album.
In 1988, Broadrick contacted Green about reforming Fall Of Because, who fell apart in 1987. Justin decided to take over
onguitars, andthey chose to use a drum machine to replace Justin as a drummer. The newly formed band decided to change
their name toGodflesh.
Godflesh established a presence in underground music with albums such as Streetcleaner and Pure, which demonstrated
theeffectivenessof lo-fi production values in heavy music. A brief flirtation with major label Columbia Records in 1994 for
Selfless and theMerciless EP sawthe duo take on a more high-end production approach. In 1996 Godflesh released Songs of
Love and Hate, which featuredthe drumming ofBryan Mantia (Guns N’ Roses, Primus, Praxis). The next album, 1999’s Us And
Them, saw the group experimenting with amore electronic,drum and bass-oriented sound in which the guitar played a less
central role. In 2001 Godflesh released the double albumretrospective InAll Languages. That same year they released an
album of new material, Hymns, which featured the precise drumming ofnew band memberTed Parsons (formerly of Swans and
Prong) and brought the band back to its slow and heavy roots while retaining elementsof itsexperiments with electronica.
Green left the band in late 2001. It was announced that he would be replaced by former Killing Joke and Prong bassist
PaulRaven; however,Godflesh disbanded in 2002 when Broadrick suffered a nervous breakdown just before departing for a
tour of the U.S. As akind of partinggift, the group released a remastered version of their extremely rare 1994 EP Messiah,
which was doubled in length with allnew remixes.Broadrick and Parsons went on to form Jesu in 2003.
Godflesh will reappear for a few shows in 2010, including one at Hellfest, France, as the only show in Europe.
Theseperformances coincidewith the re-release of their seminal album Streetcleaner remastered with an additional disc of
unreleased mixes, demotapes and liveperformances.
Broadrick’s Farewel.
“On April 10th 2002, I disbanded Godflesh. This was something I had painfully been pondering since GC Greens’ departurefrom
the band inOct 2001. Regrettably it took until the day of leaving for a lengthy U.S tour for the realization to finally take its
toll on me.Unfortunately thefinality of the decision and the responsibilities of making the decision proved too much for me to
bare, and I collapsedunder the weight. Ifound that without GC Green, Godflesh is not Godflesh, and him leaving proved to be
an omen for me. I also feel thateverything we originallyintended or even imagined with Godflesh we have done. My only regret
has been the hurting of both remaining bandmembers Ted Parsonsand Paul Raven, and disappointing those that believe in
Godflesh worldwide… In the near future, my new rock project Jesuwill surface. Sothis is by no means the end of my
songwriting/guitar/vocalizing. Simply the end of a chapter. Endless gratitude to all thosethat havebelieved in and supported
Godflesh throughout the 14 year history. You know who you are… Long live the new flesh….
Sound and influence.
Drawing influences from SPK, Whitehouse, Throbbing Gristle, Swans, Brian Eno and Black Sabbath, among others,
Godfleshwere among thepioneers of industrial metal.
Godflesh is known for their unique mixture of industrial drum machine beats with droning, discordant guitar and
powerful,intermittent bass.(On their earlier albums, the rhythms, synths, and samples are credited to “Machine” or
“Machines”. Later, Godflesh wouldmake use ofhuman drummers Bryan Mantia and Ted Parsons.) Their eerie, slow, and
repetitive style is commonly described as“apocalyptic”. TheGodflesh sound was once described as “Pornography-era Cure on
Quaaludes”.
Broadrick’s vocals are often guttural, making use of something akin to the death grunt technique, yet they also at timesshow
a softer, moremelodic side, as in “I Wasn’t Born to Follow” from 1992’s Pure. Godflesh lyrics are terse, cryptic, and bleak,
oftenemphasizing duality oropposition. Paranoia and martyrdom are also common themes in Godflesh’s music and cover art.
Broadrick has also taken inspiration from Leonard Cohen; both artists have albums titled Songs Of Love And Hate. In thesong
“Mothra”(from Pure), Godflesh borrows the lyrics “Your pain is no credential here / It’s just the shadow of my wound” from
the song“Avalanche” onthe aforementioned Cohen album. « hide |
Similar Bands: Swans, Greymachine, JK Flesh, Final, Jesu
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