Godflesh - Decline and Fall

(CD EP Review)

****1/2

Well worth the wait, and more is still to come!

As everyone knows I am a big fan of Industrial Metal so when I got sent the new EP by Godflesh I couldn't wait to put it on. Especially when this is the first release of new material from the pioneering duo of Justin Broadrick (Jesu, Palesketcher, Final) and GC Green in thirteen long years. This awesome four song release sets the stage for the immensely anticipated new full length 'A World lit only by Fire' this Autumn. I am so happy that they didn't expect fans to wait and have brought us this awesome EP.

The EP starts off with a song called 'Ringer' which is everything you want from an Industrial Metal song, from the mega heavy riff that clogs along to the tormented vocals that gather the atmosphere later in. It has a very slow build up that brings the sound to a mega conclusion at the six and almost a half minute mark. Like Ministry, Godflesh always knew how to put heavy riffage into a song and clugging bass that makes the anger seeping out of every pour of your body. Second track 'Dogbite' is even more angry and the 90's sounding harmonics of the sound really bring out the big drums and the underlined riff. Their is really some anger in this song and I think they must have put all the hatred they had into this song. Strangely you can see where Behemoth or even Pop will eat Itself got some of their riff idea's from because their are so very interesting changes in here, even if they are disguised somewhere in the mix.

Their is not many people in the World of Metal that can create this sound with the Grindcore / Industrial Concrete Lung being one of the ones I would bring up now. The melody of this song really sticks in your head and is simply brilliant, this is a track I will be playing over and over again. 'Playing with Fire' has the distinctive bass line in it at the beginning that I always came to love with Godflesh and even got influenced by when I was writing my own band Death Valley Scars material. If it wasn't for bands like Godflesh, Skinny Puppy, Front line Assembly and of course NIN I would have never got into this genre and this track is a good example about what you should listen to.

I know Godflesh is not for everyone but if you like heavy music, how can you not respect what they do and some of the beats they come up with must have influence Max Cavalera in mainstream Metal with his bands Sepultura and Soulfly. So Godflesh aren't a million miles from what you already listen to. The EP ends with the the title track of the EP 'Decline and Fall' so I was expecting this to be the best one. As they say save the best to last. It comes in with a almost Korn riffs, before it goes a little off point and random but not in a bad way. This track is a little similar in places to tracks on the EP that came before and probably is my least favourite but is still of a very high standard and get's better as it goes on so near the end I like it more and I think it must be a grower. If these are the tracks that didn't make the album, then we must have something really special to look forward to. I can't wait to 'A World lit only by Fire' and I think I will order my copy tomorrow. This EP is a must!!! so go buy it.

Review by Dan Devour