One of my best friends got me into Industrial back in University many moons ago. We still talk about music all the time, so many different bands. There is only one band however that we use the *raspy undead voice* for when we say the bandname; and that band is GODFLESH! Godflesh's sound is the convergence of two of the *heaviest* genres of music: Heavy Metal and Industrial. Specifically, thundering industrial drums with gloomy metal guitar riffs and pained vocals. Simply put, Godflesh could be the soundtrack of suffering. Their last album was released 13 years ago, the same year as the tragic 9/11 attacks. So Godflesh have been dormant a long, long time. While away from Godflesh frontman Justin K. Broadrick pursued other musical endeavours, primarily his band Jesu. Therefore the new four song EP, Decline & Fall is a highly anticipated release from a very influential band.
It becomes quickly evident that Godflesh are back and are full of the same piss and vinegar they had when they last recorded. The duo's sound seems unfazed by the long hiatus. The tracks are simple and straightforward and feel reminiscent of early Godflesh material. The new EP Decline & Fall does however show a mature confidence with the song arrangements and the band's conviction to less is more. That said, Godflesh's sound remains a massively imposing beast. Broadrick and bassist B.C. Green trust in the grind of guitar, bass and drums to fill the sound of their songs. The production has made the material sound really crisp while the song structure allows Decline & Fall to breath without unnecessary layering or aimless atmospherics.
The four song EP begins with a few seconds of static. Perhaps this is a small acknowledgement of the 13 year gap since Hymns? The silence is short lived and 'Ringer' kicks off with a boom. That distinctive crushing Godflesh sound drops like blazing Greek Fire slamming down from the sky on a besieged castle. The crunchy heavy riffs and concussive industrial beats hit over and over, immersing the listening into a hypnotically pulsating and unrelenting sonic pulverization. The weight of the sound grinds you down over time. Above this dark tremor is Broadrick's acrid, forlorn vocal bark that drips anguish and pain into every note he sings. 'Ringer' is a captivating track. After a few listens you'll get lulled by the mesmerizing melody and get the affirming head nods that signify that Godflesh has penetrated your aural soul.
B.C.'s sludgy basslines are back in the gloomy 'Dogbite'. Next 'Playing with Fire' begins with some light percussion then the discordant guitar buzzsaw begins to rip. The song shortly enters into the unique entrancing drone that is Godflesh. The slow methodical doom tank rolls along with Broadrick piercing the din with cries of "There's no pain!/There's no gain!". Some cleaver drum loops close out the sweltering 'Playing with Fire'. Then the final track 'Decline & Fall' ends the EP with a furious, ugly, slab of nasty grindcore. There are moments the track 'Decline & Fall' picks up, but the song always falls back in line under the pounding assault of bass, guitar and drum machines.
What a magnificent lumbering doom abomination Godflesh have created. The industrial beat battering ram pelts the doors of the Metal keep for the entire EP. Godflesh don't dazzle with speed, their sound is more like going 10 rounds with the Champ in the Boxing ring. There isn't a single knock out blow. But at the end of the match your body is bruised and broken from the unrelenting accumulation of hard beats, raucous guitar and emphatic mucky bass. Decline & Fall is really just a tease for the full length album A World Lit Only by Fire that will be released soon. The gritty, driving mechanical monstrosity that is Godflesh is back. Today is a good day.
