Godflesh – Purge (Review)

Godflesh are a UK industrial post-metal band and this is their ninth album.

Following on from 2017’s Post Self, Purge contains 44 minutes of new material delivered in that inimitable way that only Godlfesh can.

Reaching back to Godflesh’s early days for inspiration, Purge has that classic Godflesh sound of industrial hip hop beats and sparse-yet-catchy metal guitars. It’s an easy blend of influences to like if you’re familiar with the band’s work, and Purge rolls along with infectious groove very enjoyably.

Purge is effortlessly engaging. The songs are built from pure hooks that are hard to stay still to. They have a barely restrained energy to them that’s powered by negativity, yet can feel cathartic and uplifting due to how life-affirming they can be. While it’s undeniably dark music at its core, if it’s making you move then there’s hope for you yet.

Amidst the riffs and beats are moments of beauty, horror, and atmospheric immersion. Squealing melody and absorbing catastrophic distortion collide with inhuman precision to give rise to structured soundscapes that are evocative and weighty. Purge is a journey into fractured darkness, yet you’re likely to emerge stronger and better for having undergone it.

Godflesh’s latest work is an enjoyable listen. If you’re a fan of the band’s style then Purge is simply an album of Godlesh doing what they do so well; hammering out the beats while the guitars build worlds from simple hard-hitting riffs.

Very highly recommended.