Godflesh

Justin K. Broadrick, the man behind legendary industrial metal band Godflesh and trippy, doom, shoegaze inspired Jesu, is one of the more prolific and talented people in underground music.
Born in the same gritty town where Black Sabbath began creating what would become the blueprint of all things metal, Birmingham England, Broadrick broke into the extreme music scene as a guitarist on Napalm Death's classic first album, 1987's "Scum." Not staying with that group long (as many people didn't), he teamed up with bassist G.C. Green in 1988, forming Godflesh.

The very qualities of Godflesh that may turn people off are the ones that make the band so damn good. The sound is dark, raw and oppressive. The sonic embodiment of dystopia, Broadrick and Green combined their individual sounds and created a partnership that would last until the group disbanded in 2002. Broadrick's guitar work sounds exactly like the word used to describe the music: industrial. He couples a thick, de-tuned guitar with discordant, metallic riffs that create a cold atmosphere of anger and conjures up images of an Orwellian future. With a virulent voice that ranges from guttural scream to a quivering, unsure croon and a knack for songwriting, Broadrick forged the way for bands like Fear Factory and Korn. G.C. Green's bass snarls and barks, adding an extra layer of bile to the machine like cadence of Godflesh's music.

Opting to use drum programming instead of a live drummer for their first three albums proved to be a perfect fit for the band. Songs like "Christbait Rising" from 1989's Streetcleaner and "I Wasn't Born To Follow" from the following album Pure, achieved a completely sterile and distressing tone with the drum machine that would appeal to heavy music fans across the board. 1994's Selfless, the bands brief flirtation with major label Columbia, saw the band use a more hi-fi production that brought out more heaviness and vitriol from the already apocalyptic sound.

All together, Broadrick and Green would release six full length albums, five EP's and numerous remixes and re-issues. They would push the boundaries of metal, introducing electronic influences and eventually a live drummer toward the end of their existence. G.C. Green left the band in 2001, and while it was speculated that Broadrick would continue on without him, he decided to dissolve the group in 2002 after having a nervous breakdown the day he was supposed to begin a a U.S. tour.


Godflesh-Christbait Rising
Godflesh-Black Boned Angel
Godflesh-Spite
Godflesh-Crush My Soul

Art does not equal beauty. The idea that anything artful must be pleasing in every sensual way on the surface is one that keeps a lot of incredible work in the shadows, underground and unappreciated. Specifically, music that isn't automatically appealing because it may be dark, abrasive, loud or possibly perceived as "evil" can sometimes be the best, most impressive and deep musical work.
I cannot fault people for not immediately understanding "extreme" types of music. Much of it is intimidating, purposely oppressive and requires work and an open mind to decipher the feeling, the musical ideas inside such an outsider art form. What I hope to do here is possibly guide listeners, whether they're familiar or not with these musicians, into a place where the work and the heart involved in creating "underground" music can be better understood and appreciated.
I am incredibly passionate about this music, almost to a fault. I can sometimes forget what most peoples ears are used to hearing, what their brains have already decided is palatable and what is not, but hopefully with feedback on the bands I hope to introduce here, I can increase my patience and understanding of those who may not share the same passion.