Godflesh Albums
I’ll review their early stuff soon
2023
Purge - 82%
Godflesh are a band of purpose, and they have been that way for almost 40 years. The purpose is to pummel us into submission, and while diversity has not always been the stock in trade on previous classic industrial metal sludge albums (Streetcleaner (1989) and Pure (1992) come to mind) this newer release is one of their most diverse and may even win them some new fans. Opening tracks “Nero and “Land Lord” seem like Godflesh of old, metallic guitars, drum machine, and a superbly pounding bass pummeling us into submission. But on other tracks they nicely change it up some “Permission” takes a little form Jesu, his other band that employs a more accessible type of angelic drone, and is even a catchy dance beat albeit the manic screaming in the middle.
The wonderings of “Lazurus Leper” don’t seem to have a form to them, this is music that seems to be on a psychedelic trip like Portishead would project, while “Army of Non” is one of their better guitar riffs. The last couple of song on the album are not as good as the rest, but still for about 25 minutes this is amazing stuff. I don’t come to a band like Godflesh for diversity of course, so that is not the only reason I enjoy this heavy band that seems to be a mix of so many genres, but Purge is one of the better 21st century albums of lead man Justin Broadrick’s mighty discography. Their use of minor chord changes and dissonance has always been a huge influence on my own songwriting, even if they are not everyone’s cup of tea. I guess I like my tea bitter.