Justin Broadrick

My journey into rock/metal started with Alanis morissette. True fact that. along the way though, I found a lot of other bands, Slayer, Slipknot, etc and then I started using Napster. Before Metallica decided to be bellends and ruin napster, I used to use it for downloading random bands. Id buy a copy of Kerrang, and pick names in there, influences  on other bands etc, and then id download a selection of thier songs. In this early period of my musical journey so to speak, I found bands such as The Gathering, Neurosis, and others. Often, a lot of these bands I didnt fully research until years later. Somewhere along the way, I got into the band ISIS. This is around about 10 years ago now. ISIS blew me away at the time, and in some ways, still do. I remember thinking they sounded like Dillinger escape plan, but slowed down, and with prettier bits. my taste back then was a bit of a strange mixture of metal, and I hadnt fully explored the original bands from the 70s. I would later do this, and that would change my taste dramatically. However, in this period of being madly into ISIS, I recall that they did a 7" record I didnt own, but did have on mp3. This was the sawblade EP, and on it was a cover of Godfleshs Streetcleaner.

I then decided to explore Godflesh. The reason I have put this blog together is to show appreciation for the influence Justin broadrick has had on my music taste.

Godfleshs streetcleaner album is a Viseral, nihilistic, caustic, heavy as hell and dark album. at the time, It went a little over my head I must admit. but eventually, after trying the other albums, the charm of the album wore its way in and I went through a period of being mad into Godflesh, and I dont think that period ever ended. However, It became glaringly obvious to me that I had gotten into the band a bit late really. I remember them doing a Kerrang christmas show with Fear factory and Devin Townsend and being into them, but I couldnt go. Nottingham was slightly unobtainable for me at that point in time. So I missed thier live shows and then they split up.

Still, didnt stop me getting into the discography. few years later, after him splitting up Godflesh, he put out the first Jesu EP. This EP was important to me because it came out my first year of university. In fact, during his first few Jesu years, he was pretty prolific, so I followed this and Jesu became a bit of a personal soundtrack to my time living in Leicester. Really good times. Creative too, used some Jesu in college work, made a music video of Streetcleaner. During this time, I saw him play live first time with Jesu, he supported Mono. Both bands put in excellent sets, and I remember meeting Adam. Saw Jesu once or twice since, not always perfect, but still pretty decent.

Seeing Godflesh reform and play London was a fantastic night, Goatsnake supporting too!

So Ive pretty much followed his musical career. Final is excellent music to use for film projects, oddly enough, electronica. Techno Animal, Fall of because, Head of David, early Napalm death, Pale Sketcher....Theres so many great acts and good music to come from one man. From researching and
reading interviews, he has pretty much inadvertently gotten me another of my favourite bands, Killing Joke. Killing joke have been a big influence on my music taste too. they played Roadburn this year, and I met Justin. He was a really friendly, approachable chap. saw him play with JKFlesh and it was fantastic. Posthuman is one of the best albums of 2012.

All in all, in Summary, id just say thanks to justin really, got me into some great bands, created some awesome music. Dudes a good man. Massive kudos, and I think hes a very underappreciated musician. Sorry if this sounds a bit fanboy! haha!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54DkLXzlYrY&playnext=1&list=PLEE3E1FFC174926C3&feature=results_video