Much has been said about the decline of industrial music in the last decade or so. What was once seen as a confrontational stance against pop melodies and feel good rhythms is now either fully immersed in the mainstream or so derivative it has lost any and all relevance. Finally, the band who helped define what human beings know to be industrial are back to breathe life into this rotting carcass with their first recording since 2001 fittingly titled "Decline and Fall." Released on founder Justin Broaderick's own label Avalanche Recordings, Godflesh's latest slab of music is a straight forward assault on the ears reminiscent of the band's early catalog. Make no mistake, this may be the heaviest Godflesh material to date. The dissonance is back, the drum machines found their way home, and all of the harshness that Godflesh's music exhibited is again at the forefront of their sound. Fans of "Pure" will especially take kindly to this EP and, in typical Godflesh form, nothing sounds forced and every note reeks of conviction.
"Decline and Fall" is the predecessor to the upcoming LP "A World Lit Only by Fire." I for one am extremely excited about this new material and hope to catch Godflesh on an upcoming tour soon.
- Joe