Godflesh "Messiah" CD
[Relapse]
I'm damn glad that Relapse released this properly, because this is way too good to have simply gone the route of a limited edition self-released CD-R (as Avalanche had done with it a few years ago). All of this material was recorded and mixed back in 1994 - 1995 when I feel the band was peaking out quite nicely with a heavier and more subtly menacing (though still experimental) direction. You get four songs and then those same four songs, in the same order, in "dub" (remixed) format... and only the almighty Godflesh could release an "EP" that runs damn near an hour full of nothing but quality work! "Messiah" is one of the best Godflesh songs ever in my opinion: Six-and-a-half minutes of throbbing, crushing, eerie Godflesh perfection - with plenty of the darkly melodic riffing, intense harmonics, and pummeling basslines for which they're known. The other three non-dub tracks are very strong, though placing more of an emphasis on the beats and the bass, with ample hypnotic repetition getting them by. As always the remix tracks are excellent, taking recognizable elements from the songs and contorting them into almost entirely new compositions - some more minimally than others, and some even more drawn out and intricate than their studio counterparts by comparison. They're all decidedly laidback in some sense, but it's just excellent fucking work. The recording is great, sounding not unlike "Selfless" at all. Since this was recorded right around the time of both "Selfless" and "Merciless" that comes as no great surprise, but the sound definitely has a similar ethereal sort quality to it (as did "Selfless"), as opposed to the almost insane heaviness of the "Merciless" EP. The layout is superb as well. Simple, but beautiful, with lots of blank white space and some fucking excellent photography (all tinted in dull browns) that really works well with the overall feel of the release. You have to see these images for yourself, as usual they're in line with Godflesh's visual appeal, but this is quite possibly the best a Godflesh release has ever looked. All of the text is in metallic gold ink, further making things jump out. Excellent. This isn't such a bad way to go out, what with this being their final release and all... even if it is old material. These guys will be sorely missed... they were totally one of the greatest bands ever. (8/10)
Running time - 50:46, Tracks: 8
[Notable tracks: Messiah, Wilderness of Mirrors, Messiah Dub, Sungod Dub]
Relapse Records - http://www.relapse.com

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