Review: Godflesh – 'Decline & Fall'

GODFLESH
'Decline & Fall'
AVALANCHERECORDINGS

Godflesh's legacy as pioneers of the industrial metal movement should not be underestimated. The duo of Justin K. Broadrick and G.C. Green left a trail of destruction behind them during their initial run from 1988 to 2002. Now thirteen years later and after a handful of high key live performances the pioneering band release their long-awaited new EP 'Decline & Fall'.

Acting as a precursor to the forthcoming album 'World Lit Only By Fire', the EP is a tantalising taste of what is to come. Straight of the bat the slow bludgeoning guitar, heavy distortion and rough vocals of 'Ringer' immediately hark back to classic albums such as 'Streetcleaner', 'Pure' and 'Selfless'. The second track brings out more of the mechanical groove and discordant guitar that defined the band's sound over their career for a heavy but memorable cut. 'Playing With Fire' once again ups the groove for a bass-heavy mix that is both jagged and alluring. While the title track rounds off the EP with an all out assault of blistering distortion heavy head-banging groove and demented beats.

The EP delivers everything long-time fans of Godflesh will be craving. The nods to the band's earliest albums are ever present, but it isn’t some exercise in nostalgia. The band truly mean business here and simply sound as great as they have ever done. Even the production is unmistakably Godflesh with a dark and thick mix dominating each track.

Although every song feels like they could have been cleaved from a past release, the band can still play with their formula and produce something that will entice new listeners just as much as they please their faithful ones – in particular the title track does a great job of this – so it will be interesting to see how Godflesh approach the imminent long-player.

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