Post Self

I am still digesting this album but I have read some reviews of the album that seem to miss the mark. So I am going to pen some initial thoughts here. . .Some reviewers have compared "Post Self" to "Pure" and the previous album, "A World Lit Only by Fire," to Streetcleaner. These really mis-characterize both of the most recent albums. More accurately, "A World Lit Only by Fire" was very much a riff-driven guitars-at-the-front album with its closest kinship to its predecessor, "Hymns." It was a solid return though at times claustrophobic and lacked some of my favorite Godflesh elements (clean vocals, varied tempos, etc.). Post Self, while still knee deep in riffs (it is a Godflesh album), is far more expansive and brings in the full battery of Godflesh soundscapes.Here, the dynamics of bass and guitar here are much more akin to earlier Godflesh efforts - the bass sits at the fore and frequently drives the melody. This is particularly true of earlier tracks. At the same time, there is much more dynamic use of the guitars, which frequently "jangle" atop the bass line. Listen to the song Streetcleaner if you want to get a sense at what I am getting at here. Moreover, Post Self brings more dynamic play with Broaderick's vocals and with tempos. This album has more clean, melodic singing than its predecessor. And there is also greater use of machines. These are all elements that were in place with Godflesh's earliest work (eg, latter half of Streetcleaner album).However, this is not to say the Post Self is derivative of the back-catalog - far from it. There is a certain fresh vibrancy here that I wasn't really getting from the most recent Godflesh releases (both before and after the split) and in general the songs are just more memorable and varied. I highly recommended this album for Godflesh fans of old. It is also a good place for newcomers to start.

The new album by Godflesh seems like a culmination of sorts. Their industrial side is on a bit more display than their metal side (although when the metal comes, it comes in the form of a tank ready to plow over anything in it's way, as expected). There are hints of everything from the early era debut/Streetcleaner/Pure to the most recent efforts, and a little Jesu thrown into the mix. Compelling ideas, crushing drum programming, insistent distorted bass, sparse melodies and eerie guitar textures, and vocals that go from angry to plaintive to droning weaver their way in and out of the album, and create a true work of musical art for the 21st century. There's not a throwaway track on here, there are only supremely moody songs for many different moods. As an owner of all of their work, I'd rank this one right below Streetcleaner in terms of favorites. Pretty incredible, this far in, to see a band achieve such creative heights.

I have been a long time Godflesh fan. I feel they're now doing the best material of their career. A world lit only by fire was crushing and has been in constant rotation for me. Rather then repeat what they did with that album they took a completely different approach and created a much more dynamic and atmospheric album. I was a little disappointed at first because I initially wanted something as heavy as World. But after a few listens everything started clicking. This album is a grower for sure. It does have some heavy tracks as well. But overall the album is more about atmosphere, mood, and layers. This is the Yang to A World's Yin. Favorite track for me is Be God.

Being a long time fan of the band I didn't think they would make an album this great again. Don't get me wrong, I like all their releases. Post Self is just amazing! Most bands this far into their careers can't say that. I put it up their next to StreetCleaner, Pure or Us and Them.

Nice blend of classic, crunchy Godflesh beats, bass and guitar with more experimental tracks ("The Cyclic End" has a Public Image Limited-style vibe, and it's counterpart, "The Infinite End," has almost a Salem "King Night" feel to it). The opening guitar riff is worth price of admission alone!

Decent album. Good to have Godflesh back. Quality followup to their previous release, A World Lit Only by Fire.

All I wanted to say was if you listen to this LP with headphones on, it's a real trip down the rabbit hole!

Great album with a strange vibe, one of their best.

I don't like this as much as the previous two Godflesh albums. There are a few bangers on this, the rest sort of meanders aimlessly. I bet the songs are heavier than a tank live. Broadrick might be spreading himself a bit too thin with all of his projects.Artwork is garbage. It's not even minimalism as art direction - it's simply LAZY. No credits, no information whatsoever and the tracks on the CD aren't even titled (it's track 1, track 2). It blows my mind no one could be bothered to spend one minute and name the tracks. I bought both the CD and LP but had I known that artwork was almost non-existent, I'd have gotten a download instead.

1996年辺りからNine inch nails､Ministryなどと共に脚光を浴びたIndustrial metalの古参Godflesh｡本作はクリアーで抜けのいいレコーディングも手伝ってキャリア１のクールネスとヘヴィネスを体感できる快作となった｡というより完全無欠な名作｡素晴らしい！

A world only lit by fire got me seriously reintegrated in the fandom of Godflesh. I enjoyed Streetcleaner and everything else they released afterward but really got on board again when they returned with 8 strings.The first thing that struck me about the album was how much vibe and atmosphere it has. Seriously, this record is moody! The gigantic guitars are less emphasized on this record than the previous album but soundscapes and noises are haunting and effective and just as heavy in a different way. Absolute essential release from the right here!

Great album.

Godflesh waren noch nie bekannt dafür, besonders angenehme Musik zu machen. Das hat sich auch auf "Post Self", dem zweiten Album seit der Reunion im Jahr 2010, nicht geändert. Das Duo Justin K. Broadrick (Gesang, Gitarre, Programmierung) und Ben Green (Bass) wühlt diesmal tief im Industrial-Genre: Neben dem programmierten Schlagzeug gibt es jede Menge elektronische Spielereien auf "Post Self". Aber natürlich dürfen auch der grollende, verzerrte Bass, dissonante Gitarrenriffs, Post-Punk-Einschübe und Broadricks Gesang, der zwischen fiesen Growls und unheilvollem, melodiearmem Klargesang pendelt, nicht fehlen. Mit so was wie Hooklines braucht man Godflesh gar nicht erst zu kommen, einprägsam ist absolut gar nichts von "Post Self". Es ist ein sperriger, tonnenschwerer Brocken, der aber nie in puren Lärm abdriftet und somit die Nerven nicht zu sehr in Mitleidenschaft zieht. Natürlich ist das kein Album für einen romantischen Abend vor dem Kamin oder eine Grillparty, aber das sollte ja eigentlich klar sein. Die Zielgruppe wird jedenfalls höchstwahrscheinlich nicht enttäuscht sein.