In 1988, Broadrick contacted Green about reforming Fall of Because, who fell apart in 1987. Justin decided to take over on guitars, and they chose to use a drum machine to replace Justin as a drummer. The newly formed band decided to change their name to Godflesh.
Godflesh established a presence in underground music with albums such as Streetcleaner and Pure, which demonstrated the effectiveness of lo-fi production values in heavy music. A brief flirtation with major label Columbia Records in 1994 for Selfless and the Merciless EP saw the duo take on a more high-end production approach. In 1996 Godflesh released Songs of Love and Hate, which featured the drumming of Bryan Mantia (Guns N' Roses, Primus, Praxis). The next album, 1999's Us and Them, saw the group experimenting with a more electronic, drum and bass-oriented sound in which the guitar played a less central role. In 2001 Godflesh released the double album retrospective In All Languages. That same year they released an album of new material, Hymns, which featured the precise drumming of new band member Ted Parsons (formerly of Swans and Prong) and brought the band back to its slow and heavy roots while retaining elements of its experiments with electronica.
Green left the band in late 2001. It was announced that he would be replaced by former Killing Joke and Prong bassist Paul Raven; however, Godflesh disbanded in 2002 when Broadrick suffered a nervous breakdown just before departing for a tour of the U.S. As a kind of parting gift, the group released a remastered version of their extremely rare 1994 EP Messiah, which was doubled in length with all new remixes. Broadrick and Parsons went on to form Jesu in 2003.
Godflesh will reappear for a few shows in 2010, including one at Hellfest, France, as the only show in Europe. These performances coincide with the re-release of their seminal album Streetcleaner remastered with an additional disc of unreleased mixes, demo tapes and live performances.
Broadrick's Farewell
"On April 10th 2002, I disbanded Godflesh. This was something I had painfully been pondering since GC Greens' departure from the band in Oct 2001. Regrettably it took until the day of leaving for a lengthy U.S tour for the realization to finally take its toll on me. Unfortunately the finality of the decision and the responsibilities of making the decision proved too much for me to bare, and I collapsed under the weight. I found that without GC Green, Godflesh is not Godflesh, and him leaving proved to be an omen for me. I also feel that everything we originally intended or even imagined with Godflesh we have done. My only regret has been the hurting of both remaining band members Ted Parsons and Paul Raven, and disappointing those that believe in Godflesh worldwide... In the near future, my new rock project Jesu will surface. So this is by no means the end of my songwriting/guitar/vocalizing. Simply the end of a chapter. Endless gratitude to all those that have believed in and supported Godflesh throughout the 14 year history. You know who you are... Long live the new flesh..."
Sound and influences
Drawing influences from SPK, Whitehouse, Throbbing Gristle, Swans, Brian Eno and Black Sabbath, among others, Godflesh were among the pioneers of industrial metal.
Godflesh is known for their unique mixture of industrial drum machine beats with droning, discordant guitar and powerful, intermittent bass. (On their earlier albums, the rhythms, synths, and samples are credited to "Machine" or "Machines". Later, Godflesh would make use of human drummers Bryan Mantia and Ted Parsons.) Their eerie, slow, and repetitive style is commonly described as "apocalyptic". The Godflesh sound was once described as "Pornography-era Cure on Quaaludes".
Broadrick's vocals are often guttural, making use of something akin to the death grunt technique, yet they also at times show a softer, more melodic side, as in "I Wasn't Born to Follow" from 1992's Pure. Godflesh lyrics are terse, cryptic, and bleak, often emphasizing duality or opposition. Paranoia and martyrdom are also common themes in Godflesh's music and cover art.
Broadrick has also taken inspiration from Leonard Cohen; both artists have albums titled Songs of Love and Hate. In the song "Mothra" (from Pure), Godflesh borrows the lyrics "Your pain is no credential here / It's just the shadow of my wound" from the song "Avalanche" on the aforementioned Cohen album.
Bandcamp / Soundcloud
Locust Furnace
Godflesh Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One dead, Pale world
And you'll swing, From the reaping hook
And you'll die, By a reaping hook
Locust, Locust
Furnace, Furnace
Corruption, In the goat herd
Flesh crumbles, In the real worldSilence
Barren
My furnace
Appealed
The locust furnace
Earth, Earth
Furnace, Furnace...
The song "Locust Furnace" by Godflesh speaks of a desolate and barren world, where life has been extinguished and the only thing left is the looming presence of death. The imagery used in the lyrics is that of a frozen earth, where everything is pale and lifeless. The singer speaks of reaping hooks, a tool used for harvesting crops, but in this context, it is a symbol of death. People will die by this tool, and their bodies will crumble into the earth.
The title of the song, "Locust Furnace," refers to a place of intense destruction and decay. The locusts are a biblical symbol of destruction, and the furnace is a tool used to burn and destroy. When the two are combined, it paints a picture of a violent and apocalyptic world. The words "corruption" and "flesh crumbles" suggest that the world in which the singer is living has been ravaged by disease and decay, and there is no hope left for redemption. The final lines of the song, "Earth, Earth, Furnace, Furnace," seem to suggest that the world itself has become a kind of furnace, where everything is consumed by fire and destruction.
Line by Line Meaning
The earth, Froze up
The world has become cold and stagnant.
One dead, Pale world
The world is lifeless and devoid of color.
And you'll swing, From the reaping hook
You will suffer the consequences of your actions.
And you'll die, By a reaping hook
You will face punishment for your sins.
Locust, Locust
The swarm of destruction approaches.
Furnace, Furnace
The fires of destruction are inevitable.
Corruption, In the goat herd
Evil and corruption have infiltrated the innocent.
Flesh crumbles, In the real world
The physical body deteriorates and decays in reality.
Silence
There is no hope or salvation.
Barren
Nothing can grow or thrive in this desolate land.
My furnace
I am consumed by the fires of destruction.
Appealed
I have submitted to my fate.
The locust furnace
The coming destruction is unstoppable and unrelenting.
Earth, Earth
The entire world is doomed to destruction.
Furnace, Furnace...
The fires of destruction will consume all.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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The earth, Froze up
One dead, Pale world
And you'll swing, From the reaping hook
And you'll die, By a reaping hook
Locust, Locust
Furnace, Furnace
Corruption, In the goat herd
Flesh crumbles, In the real world
Silence
Barren
My furnace
Appealed
The locust furnace
@chuckselvage3157
The boys were listening to a lot of Killing Joke but also created something ahead of their time. Godflesh are one of the heaviest and darkest bands from that or any era.
@E.C.2
Listen after 10PM. They sound terrible during the daytime. At night,sounds like an unstoppable ambient apocalypse.
@ilyas_elouchihi
My favorite from Streetcleaner
@armoredcorefan2719
This song had a big impact on Fear Factory’s Soul of a New Machine album. Such a legendary band.
@E.C.2
Took 5 months to grow on me & understand it's night time music only. This LP was 180 degrees contrary to everything circa 1991 Jane's Addiction/Urban Dance Squad era.
@RicardoRivas-ee5yk
God flesh and energy's onlyieye behold beyonds the great devide and yes ieye love you Christina Rivas scabbia ieye listen to it done perfectly done and done ✅✅✅✅