Godflesh

Having helped spawn such styles of metal as post metal and industrial metal, Godflesh has a widespread influence. Fear Factory, Isis, Neurosis and many other have used Godflesh as a starting point. The group formed in 1988, broke up in 2002 and reformed in 2009. Upon their reformation, Earache Records has reissued most of the band’s entire back catalogue. Earache’s latest rerelease, “Streetcleaner” has the distinction, by a majority of fans and journalists, as the group’s best effort.

Primarily created by just two members, Napalm Death alumnus Justin Broadrick (guitar, vocals, programming) and G.C. Green (bass), “Streetcleaner” contains cerebral electronic experimentation that even works on a goth/industrial dance floor, spacey guitar tones, quasi death metal vocals and a historically heavy bass sound, courtesy of G.C. Green.

In the tradition of artful experimental groups, Godflesh may come across as repetitive. They find a groove and work it to death. In this sense, “Streetcleaner” may seem boring; requiring some getting used to, but a deeper listen reveals layers of instrumentation and multiple rhythms within each song. Often the group adds subtle alterations to the main rhythms that persist through out each song.

The mechanical, pedal-created guitar work on “Christbait Rising” creates a stop-n-start rhythm that helps perpetuate the hard beat coordinated between the bass and drum machine. “Pulp” moves back and forth, alternating between machine gun drums and guitar delivery to short, pounding drum and bass notes. The hard-hitting power of these riffs combined with Broderick’s psychotic screams proves hard to remove from the memory. “Head Dirt” gets the award for catchiest groove, possibly the most memorable rhythm of the band’s career. The pitch-shifted vocals, however, are to be desired and keep this track from being the album’s best.

This edition of “Streetcleaner” contains a bonus disc of unreleased mixes, rehearsals, demos and live material. None of this material is necessary, except for hardcore collectors of Godflesh. Those who already own this album will feel no need to pick up this version, but because it’s the reprint, chances are this will be the version found in stores. If industrial and post metal flips your switch and you don’t already have “Streetcleaner,” I recommend you pick up this classic album!