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User
Reviews 4
Approval 97%
Soundoffs 4
Album Ratings 1172
Objectivity 68%
Last Active 01-20-22 12:57 pm
Joined 01-29-19
Review Comments 1,360
| GODFLESH - Ranked from start to end.
Godflesh gets my blood pumping like no other band. Better still, for such a long and varied career, everything they make manages to grab my attention, which I have to treasure. From the gargantuan sounding bass to the nasty harmonics/feedback riffs to the groovy yet industrial percussion, Godflesh is all I can ask of music. So I figured I'd do a full ranking on the lads from their beginnings to this day (let's hope there is more to come). Shoutout to tectactoe who I stole the basic idea from. I tried to fit as much of their oeuvre as I could, but some rarities simply didn't fir to any specific album on the sput database. Defo check out stuff like My Own Light and their Loop cover Straight To your Heart though. | | 1 |  | Godflesh
A World Lit Only by Fire
AVG: 5.7
My least favorite Godflesh album. I feel like it's a collection of some great tracks and a lot of filler that they normally would leave behind in the jam sessions. It feels like them regaining their footing after a long hiatus and it makes sense, but there is still a lot of muddy post-nu metal stuff here that I can't bring myself to listen to twice. Probably could have benefitted from being combined with Decline And Fall and the filler scraped out. Justin generally has a great feel of when to mix and match different genres and influences, but a lot doesn't work on this one for me and feel like B-sides/compilation bonuses rather than a full album.
New Dark Ages 5
Deadend 6
Shut Me Down 9 (STANDOUT)
Life Giver Life Taker 5
Obeyed 4 (STINKER)
Curse Us All 6
Carrion 8
Imperator 4 (STINKER)
Towers Of Emptiness 5
Forgive Our Fathers 5 | | 2 |  | Godflesh
Love and Hate in Dub
AVG: 5.75
Being an experimental rework of a previous album, this one is bound to be more inconsistent, but I think it's a bit underappreciated and I'm definitely happy they (although think Benny Green had very little to do with this one) went through a whole album of reworkings this way. Even if there aren't that many dub tracks on it.
Circle of Shit (To the Point Dub) 6
Wake (Break Mix) 9 (STANDOUT)
Almost Heaven (Closer Mix) 7
Gift from Heaven (Breakbeat) 7
Frail (Now Broken) 4
Sterile Prophet (Version) 9 (STANDOUT)
Almost Heaven (Helldub) 4
Kingdom Come (Version) 6
Time, Death and Wastefulness (Dub) 4
Sterile Prophet (In Dub) 3 (STINKER)
Domain 4
Gift from Heaven (Heavenly) 6 | | 3 |  | Godflesh
Decline and Fall
AVG: 5.93
A teaser for A World Lit Only By Fire, but really should been a part of that full album. A bit of patience would have gone a long way, but in 2014, it was like finding an oasis in the desert.
Ringer 7 (STANDOUT)
Dogbite 5
Playing With Fire 6
Decline & Fall 6
Ringer (Dub) 4 (STINKER)
Playing With Fire (Dub) 7 | | 4 |  | Godflesh
Cold World
AVG: 6
A format I wish they had tried more, but still way too short to be memorable. Some of the best Godflesh bass tones come from this one, and Benny is on fire on Nihil, but the remixes are barely distinguishable from eachother. Still, you can tell that they were confident they were on to something with Nihil and I'm happy they threw this out there.
Cold World 5
Nihil 9 (STANDOUT)
Nihil (Total Belief Mix) 6
Nihil (No Belief Mix) 4 (STINKER - only by virtue of coming right after another similar mix) | | 5 |  | Godflesh
Hymns
AVG: 6
I like Ted Parsons, but Godflesh really doesn't need a human drummer and the (comparatively) arena metal feel of this album drives that point home. Even more egregious is the horrid production on this one, barely distinguishable from any other industrial band. It's a pity, because there are some definite standouts and good ideas on Hymns, but it definitely would have been a good idea to edit it down and throw some filler out (similar as to what happened on the comeback record after this one). Jesu is an all-time great Godflesh track though and the brutal grooves of Godflesh are present, just occasionally not as cold and mechanical as they should be. Also a shoutout to the rare additional track If I Could Only Be What You Want, which is great!
Defeated 6
Deaf, Dumb & Blind 8
Paralyzed 9 (STANDOUT)
Anthem 5
Voidhead 4
Tyrant 7
White Flag 3
For Life 4
Animals 6
Vampires 7
Antihuman 2 (STINKER)
Regal 4
Jesu 10 (CAREER STANDOUT)
If I Could Only Be What You Want (*) 9 (STANDOUT) | | 6 |  | Godflesh
Us and Them
AVG: 6
Probably the one fans dislike the most? I get why, and there are misfires on this one, but I feel like it's a more consistent album in general than many other "middling" Godflesh albums. A lot of the poorer tracks leave me cold rather than evoke some stronger dislike, so that counts for something, right? Besides, The Internal seems like the first Jesu track so it's fun to see Justin's development as a composer.
I, Me, Mine 9 (STANDOUT)
Us And Them 5
Endgames 7
Witchhunt 6
Whose Truth Is Your Truth 6
Defiled 4
Bittersweet 9 (STANDOUT)
Nail 4
Descent 5
Control Freak 3 (STINKER)
The Internal 9
Live To Lose 5 | | 7 |  | Godflesh
Post Self
AVG: 6.4
A more confident return to form and the reason why I'm very optimistic about the future of the band, even if it has some experimental tracks that I feel are not really very "Godflesh". The heavy grooves of the first three and the more contemplative tracks like Pre Self gel better than on some previous albums and the production is more striking and unique again as well. I'm actually surprised that the average for this came as low as it did.
Post Self 8
Parasite 9 (STANDOUT)
No Body 8
Mirror Of Finite Light 3 (STINKER)
Be God 5
The Cyclic End 4
Pre Self 8
Mortality Sorrow 6
In Your Shadow 7
The Infinite End 6 | | 8 |  | Godflesh
Songs of Love and Hate
AVG: 6.45
On the other hand, I'm surprised this ranks as high as it does. It is not a very memorable album, really I have trouble pinning my favorites like Sterile Prophet or Angel Domain to this one. Maybe because it is a very transitional album, hinting towards the mix of experimentation and accessibility they would (less successfully) try to balance after this.
Wake 8
Sterile Prophet 9 (STANDOUT)
Circle Of Shit 6
Hunter 5
Gift From Heaven 5
Amoral 4 (STINKER)
Angel Domain 8
Kingdom Come 6
Time, Death and Wastefulness 5
Frail 8
Almost Heaven 7 | | 9 |  | Godflesh
Merciless
AVG: 6.75
Barring the title track, this is a standout Godflesh EP despite its length and a great example of their short EP format working well. The title track feels like a very uninspired stab at doom, but the three ones that follow have a style and verve of their own that is very memorable. Again Benny's bass sounds marvellous and drives a lot of the music here.
Merciless 3 (STINKER)
Blind 9 (STANDOUT)
Unworthy 8
Flowers 7 | | 10 |  | Godflesh
Messiah
AVG: 7.125
The first three absolutely hit it out of the park and are in the Godflesh career Pantheon, but it then meanders off. Still, you can't blame them for throwing in some reinterpretations of EP tracks, especially when they are as good as Messiah or Sungod.
Messiah 10 (CAREER STANDOUT)
Wilderness Of Mirrors 8
Sungod 10 (CAREER STANDOUT)
Scapegoat 5
Messiah Dub 4 (STINKER)
Wilderness Of Mirrors Dub 5
Sungod Dub 8
Scapegoat Dub 7 | | 11 |  | Godflesh
Pure
AVG: 7.25
One I don't quite feel is overrated, but definitely not as memorable as their career highs. It is supremely consistent and I enjoy listening it front-to-end, but I would never name it as one to start digging into their discography either. However, it has a very clear vision - Justin has claimed that this is their most "honest" album, and I definitely see where he's coming from.
Spite 8
Mothra 9 (STANDOUT)
I Wasn't Born To Follow 7
Predominance 7
Pure 6 (SLIGHT DIP)
Monotremata 7
Baby Blue Eyes 7
Don't Bring Me Flowers 7 | | 12 |  | Godflesh
Selfless
AVG: 7.27
Take out the anonymous Black Boned Angel and the almost cringeworthy Toll and you have an all-time great. The jagged rhythms of Streetcleaner mixed with a more thoughtful approach they would later employ. Definitely a winner in my book.
Xnoybis 9
Bigot 6
Black Boned Angel 4
Anything Is Mine 6
Empyreal 7
Crush My Soul 9
Body Dome Light 7
Toll 3 (STINKER)
Heartless 9
Mantra 10 (CAREER STANDOUT)
Go Spread Your Wings 10 (CAREER STANDOUT) | | 13 |  | Godflesh
In All Languages
AVG: 7.54
So this is an odd one that I debated leaving out, but in the end, these are mostly original tracks or mixes and I just can't bring myself to leave out Love Is A Dog From Hell or the wonderful BBC sessions. Keep in mind I'm talking about CD2 - the first one is a mere best of compilation.
Love Is a Dog from Hell 9 (STANDOUT)
Crush My Soul (Ultramixedit) 8
Flowers 7
Tiny Tears (BBC Session) 7
Pulp (BBC Session) 9 (STANDOUT)
Newspite 8
Empyreal 2 8
Blind 9
Slavestate (Radio Slave) 9
Gift from Heaven (Breakbeat) 8
Xnoybis (Clubdubedit) 3 (STINKER)
Witchhunt (Tyrant Remix) 5
Us and Them (Defensive Remix) 8 | | 14 |  | Godflesh
Godflesh
AVG: 8
A lo-fi legend and a gamechanger in the industrial genre, showing that you can put more focus on (bass) guitars and less on samples without losing the cold, mechanical edge. While I think Godhead is a bit too much of an indulgent no-wave leftover, it is still an all-time great album.
Avalanche Master Song 10 (CAREER STANDOUT)
Veins 10 (CAREER STANDOUT)
Godhead 4 (STINKER)
Spinebender 6
Weak Flesh 9
Ice Nerveshatter 10 (CAREER STANDOUT)
Wounds 9
Streetcleaner 2 6 | | 15 |  | Godflesh
Slavestate
AVG: 8.67
Probably the reason why Godflesh remained confident in releasing EPs between albums and with good reason. Despite only having 4 original tracks, it's a brilliant mix of early 90s electronic music with the memorably misanthropic approach of Godflesh's early sound.
Slavestate 10 (CAREER STANDOUT)
Perfect Skin 7
Someone Somewhere Scorned 9
Meltdown 8
Slavestate (Radio Slave) 9
Slavestate (Total State Mix) 8
Perfect Skin (Dub) 10 (CAREER STANDOUT)
Slateman 8
Wound 91 9 | | 16 |  | Godflesh
Streetcleaner
AVG: 9.22
No doubt about it - the crown jewel of Godflesh' discography, of industrial music in general, and to me at least, of sonic art as a whole. Such an inventive and fully realized album, there are no weak spots despite the occasional step off the gas. Accept no substitutes.
Like Rats 10 (CAREER STANDOUT)
Christbait Rising 10 (CAREER STANDOUT)
Pulp 10 (CAREER STANDOUT)
Dream Long Dead 9
Head Dirt 9
Devastator/Might Trust Krusher 9
Life Is Easy 7
Streetcleaner 9
Locust Furnace 10 (CAREER STANDOUT) | |
kkarron
07.06.22 | I fucked up the reverse ordering but its too much of a hassle to fix. Anyway, enjoy me being Justin Broadrick's bitch. | Sharenge
07.06.22 | >Life Is Easy 7
>Perfect Skin 7
>Slateman 8
>Godhead 4 (STINKER)
>Spinebender 6
>Toll 3 (STINKER)
>Bigot 6
>Black Boned Angel 4
>Anything Is Mine 6
>Empyreal 7
>I Wasn't Born To Follow 7
>Predominance 7
>Pure 6 (SLIGHT DIP)
>Monotremata 7
>Merciless 3 (STINKER)
>Circle Of Shit 6
>Hunter 5
>Gift From Heaven 5
>Amoral 4 (STINKER)
>Time, Death and Wastefulness 5
>Mirror Of Finite Light 3 (STINKER)
>Be God 5
>The Cyclic End 4
>Us And Them 5
>Endgames 7
>Witchhunt 6
>Whose Truth Is Your Truth 6
>Defiled 4
>Defeated 6
>Anthem 5
>Voidhead 4
>White Flag 3
>For Life 4
>Antihuman 2 (STINKER)
>Regal 4
>Cold World 5
>Ringer 7 (STANDOUT)
>Dogbite 5
>Playing With Fire 6
>Decline & Fall 6
>New Dark Ages 5
>Deadend 6
>Life Giver Life Taker 5
>Obeyed 4 (STINKER)
>Curse Us All 6
>Imperator 4 (STINKER)
>Towers Of Emptiness 5
>Forgive Our Fathers 5
just fucking no dude | DadKungFu
07.06.22 | Controversial af but good arguments for the rankings. solid list | kkarron
07.06.22 | Hey, can't 10/10 every track y'know. | Relinquished
07.06.22 | ngl godflesh did influence nu metal but callin em post-nu metal had my skin crawling | kkarron
07.06.22 | Also turns out there's a character limit per item so I had to be very brief. | Relinquished
07.06.22 | also I love Like Rats but it’s a bit overrated | kkarron
07.06.22 | You haven't tried to play Like Rats on bass, I take it? Pumping out that staccato is one of the few things that gets me joy in this life anymore. | Relinquished
07.06.22 | I have, and GC has a lot of great moments
also L on sherange on saying Merciless isn’t a great doom track | DrGonzo1937
07.06.22 | Slavestate is amazing. Post self is too low though | DType
07.06.22 | Devastator/Might Trust Krusher is a 20/10
| Sharenge
07.07.22 | >also L on sherange on saying Merciless isn’t a great doom track
wut?
"Merciless" is at least 8/10 and arguably the best track on that release ("Blind" would be the other contender) | Relinquished
07.07.22 | oh mislooked the arrow
op u dumb as fuck | rabidfish
07.07.22 | damn, you did post-self kinda dirty tbh
respectful list, otherwise | Sharenge
07.07.22 | yeah
>Mirror Of Finite Light 3 (STINKER)
>Be God 5
>The Cyclic End 4
made me cried
kkarron the only Godflesh you are allowed to listen to are the tracks I listed until you see the light | SIMBOLIC
07.07.22 | I think a 10/10 is a career standout for most people but that’s just me | Dedes
07.07.22 | These .00 album ratings are hurting my eyes
5 it or 1 it coward | kkarron
07.07.22 | they reject my message.
they will see in time. | kkarron
07.07.22 | I also did this list drunk so I might reconsider soon. |
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