Godflesh
Godflesh is a band from Birmingham, England, one of the Trope Codifiers of Industrial Metal and an influence on many other bands, including Isis, Faith No More, Converge, Korn, Ministry and Fear Factory. The band's core lineup generally consists of vocalist/guitarist Justin Broadrick and bassist GC Green; the band usually uses a drum machine, though they have also used real drummers in their music.
The band's original incarnation was formed in 1982, under the name "Fall of Because", by Green and guitarist Paul Neville. Justin Broadrick, who had played guitar in the legendary Grindcore outfit Napalm Death, joined the group as vocalist and drummer in 1985; two years later, the band fell apart. In 1988, Broadrick contacted Green and they reformed Fall of Because, Broadrick taking up the position of guitarist and deciding to use a drum machine. The band also changed its name to "Godflesh". Throughout their career, Godflesh was known for its crushing guitar riffs, plodding bass, robotic percussion, and Broadricks's Harsh Vocals and minimalistic lyrics.
In 2001, Green left the band. During this time, Broadrick's relationship with his girlfriend had dissolved, and Broadrick suffered a nervous breakdown; he disbanded Godflesh in 2002.
In 2009/10, the band reunited. Their future is uncertain, but Broadrick has not ruled out the possibility of new material.
As stated above, the primary lineup of the band consists of Broadrick and Green; however, they have had other, temporary members. These include:
- Paul Neville – guitars (1989–1991)
- Robert Hampson – guitars (1991–1992)
- Bryan Mantia – drums, percussion (1994–1996)
- Steve Hough – guitars (1999)
- Diarmuid Dalton – samples, moog (1999)
- Ted Parsons – drums, percussion (1996–2002)
- Paul Raven – bass (2002)
Studio albums:
- Streetcleaner (1989)
- Pure (1992)
- Selfless (1994)
- Songs of Love and Hate (1996)
- Us and Them (1999)
- Hymns (2001)
Broadrick is also the man behind the post-metal band Jesu and the dark ambient project Final.
- Creator Breakdown - Broadrick, as said above.
- Epic Riff - Too many times to count.
- Epic Rocking - In chronological order according to release, "Christbait Rising"(7:00), "Streetcleaner"(6:50), "Wounds"(13:06), "Streetcleaner 2"(8:42), "Perfect Skin"(7:29), "I Wasn't Born to Follow"(7:22), "Monotremata"(9:21), "Don't Bring Me Flowers"(6:48), Love, Hate"(9:57), "Pure II"(21:04), "Blind"(7:16), "Unworthy"(7:14), "Flowers"(7:34), "Black Boned Angel" (6:47), "Mantra" (7:27), "Go Spread Your Wings"(23:50), and "Gift from Heaven"(7:45),
- Fan Nickname - Justin Broadrick is frequently referred to as "JK Flesh."
- Garfunkel - Some interpret Green to be this.
- Harsh Vocals - Broadrick's main vocal style
- Heterosexual Life Partners - Possibly Broadrick and Green, depending on how you see this comment Broadrick made after dissolving the band:
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Broadrick: "I found that without GC Green, Godflesh is not Godflesh, and him leaving proved to be an omen for me." |
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- Industrial Metal
- Mohs Scale of Rock and Metal Hardness - 9, bordering on 10.
- Neoclassical Punk Zydeco Rockabilly - As well as combining industrial and metal, Godflesh also took influence from Hardcore Punk, drone music, noise, and even hip-hop.
- Single-Stanza Song - The vast majority of their songs.
- Soprano and Gravel - Broadrick occasionally balanced out his growling with clean singing.
- Surprisingly Gentle Song - The second half of "Jesu", which was pretty much a preview for the band Jesu itself.
- Titled After the Song - Not Godflesh themselves, but Jesu was named after the final track on Hymns.
- Voice of the Legion - Used liberally in Streetcleaner.
- Word Salad Lyrics - Used a lot.
- X Meets Y: Throbbing Gristle meets Black Sabbath.