November 2024 Feature Release - The Sphere Edition

So just like that we find that a new month is upon us which of course means that we’ll be nominating a brand new monthly feature release for each clan. This essentially means that we’re asking you to rate, review & discuss our chosen features for no other reason than because we enjoy the process & banter. We’re really looking forward to hearing your thoughts on our chosen releases so don’t be shy.

This month's feature release for The Sphere, nominated by me (Shadowdoom9 (Andi)), is last year's 9th album by Birmingham's industrial metal pioneers Godflesh, Purge. It marked their first album in 6 years and a return to their earlier form. So it's time for some of us to check this out and witness Justin Broadrick and Ben Green continue their journey. A year late, but better late than never, right?

https://metal.academy/releases/45158

Here's my review summary:

The title is already a giveaway about the modern updates provided to the concepts of their 1992 album Pure. Long-time fans and pretty much anyone familiar with the band's earlier material can definitely recognize the Pure sound, almost like these two albums can be connected! I'm sure some listeners can recognize some of the more classic tracks from the Pure album. Broadrick and Green's task at hand since the beginning is to unleash the robotic rhythms that have shaped up industrial metal. Also looking back at the 80s/90s is the occasional hip-hop-ish groove that can ensure the album's variety without sounding too odd. Many of the tracks throw back to the glory days of Streetcleaner with the hammering and screeching guitars alongside the harsh vocals of Broadrick. The diversity in the heaviness adds to their bleak aura. Purge is not an album that I would expect to have that past glory, while it comes close to being the best album of the new era!

4.5/5.

Recommended tracks: "Land Lord", "Army of Non", "The Father", "You are the Judge, the Jury, and the Executioner"

For fans of: GOD, Jesu, Ministry