Leipzig trio Godzilla in the Kitchen have spent over a decade refining their distinctive blend of psychedelic groove-rock, stoner and progressive influences. Their third studio album, Termination Sequence, released through Tonzonen Records, marks a significant shift towards a heavier, more aggressive sound, while retaining the intricate rhythms and atmospheric textures that have long defined their music.
Following the arrival of Brazilian drummer Thiago Presto in 2023, guitarist Eric Patzschke and bassist Simon Ulm began exploring a new musical direction. Encouraged by producer Andy Schmidt (Disillusion), Ulm also stepped up to the microphone for the first time, introducing vocals into the band’s sound. Recorded at their own Kuntergrund Studio, Termination Sequence combines muscular riffs, progressive arrangements and newfound vocal intensity with lyrics reflecting the contradictions and uncertainties of the modern world.
To mark the release of Termination Sequence, we’ve asked Godzilla in the Kitchen to share three of the key musical influences behind the album as part of our Under the Influence feature.
Guano Apes – Proud Like a God
Eric: I was nine when I saw Guano Apes live at Haus Auensee in Leipzig 1999. I stood on a radiator at the side of the hall, looking out over the crowd as it completely lost its mind. I had never experienced anything like it. Seeing a band create that kind of energy in a room made a lasting impression on me and planted the idea that I wanted to become a musician myself. Their debut album Proud Like a God became a big part of my early teenage years. ‘Lord of the Boards’ was with me all the time because I was snowboarding a lot back then. Somehow that song just fit perfectly with that whole period of my life. I still remember how much it excited me to hear something that felt so close to my own world. Looking back, Proud Like a God was one of those records that made me realize how much music could shape your life.
Mastodon – Crack the Skye
Simon: One of my favourite albums in my late teens/early twenties is Mastodon’s Crack the Skye. This masterfully crafted, very progressive album ran on repeat for at least three years. I never learned which solo or riff was part of which song because I always listened to the full album. The ability to blend several songs into one ongoing stream of riffs and passages that never get boring or feel drawn out still impresses me to this day. The album features some of my favourite guitar works by Brent Hinds (RIP). The fact they managed to write very progressive music while keeping it heavy and not going to deep hit the spot for me. ‘The Last Baron’ is still is my favourite Mastodon song to this day.
Tool – Lateralus
Eric: The video for ‘Schism’ completely confused me when I first saw it. I watched a lot of MTV back then, and when Tool suddenly appeared between Korn, Limp Bizkit and all the other heavy stuff, the video distracted me so much that I didn’t even realize at first how brilliant the music was. Then I read a review of Lateralus in Metal Hammer. The writer gave it 8/7 points for its uniqueness and musical brilliance, so I gave the album another chance. It took me a few listens, but eventually something just clicked. Since then, Adam Jones has been in my personal top three guitarists. I saw Tool live in Berlin in 2006, and they played an incredibly long set with equally long songs yet completely owned the room. That experience stayed with me and influenced the way I think about my own music. The way Tool work together is unique. Every instrument has its own voice and adds something different, but they all seem to understand each other completely, especially on stage. That kind of interplay is something I still find fascinating.
