Band Review :: Godspeed you Black Emperor!

Band Review :: Godspeed you Black Emperor!
Posted :: Sep 19, 2004 by Impact

Godspeed You Black Emperor!
Necessary Album: Lift Your fists like Antennas To Heaven
Genre: Epic
Locale of Origin: Canada
Website: http://www.brainwashed.com/godspeed/main.html

If any band were to ever be described as apocalyptic, it would be Godspeed You Black Emperor! The band plays with an intensity that one would only expect to find in a world ridden with plague, famine, war, and death. In fact, one of their songs was used in the movie “28 days later.”.

The band's songs are completely instrumental, with the exception of random monologues once in a while. Each one starts of with a slow, quiet, and usually eerie melody, which ever so slowly grows into an all-out, screaming, wailing, explosive groove. Patience is definitely the key with this band as very few of their songs are under fifteen minutes long. If you are able sit through it, you will find yourself listening to some of the most intense music you have ever heard; extraordinary buildups and loud hollow melodies screaming from the entourage of instruments playing in unison.

I had the luxury of seeing GSYBE live at St. Andrews hall in Detroit. As with most bands worth listening to, seeing GSYBE live is the only way to fully understand them. Their set up was massive and consisted of two drummers, two bassists, three guitarists, and two ladies playing stringed instruments ( I believe a cello and a violin). Their performance was pure energy and music – none of the members jumped around or showed off; they just swayed back and forth with their music, even at the peak moments. Also, odd and interesting video clips were projected onto the wall behind them, which added to the effect of the show.

The band is not currently recording or touring because their members are also involved in over a dozen other bands. Their most recent album was Yanqui u.x.o. in 2002. The one I recommend listening to, my favorite album, is their two disc album -Lift your skinny fists like antennas toward heaven. The tracks “Sleep” and “Storm” are very breathtaking. F#A# (infinity), another of their albums, is also a masterpiece. The shining moments being a 7/8 drum groove on the third track.

GSYBE are very unique and original, but they are not for everyone to listen to. Most people would probably not understand or appreciate the music, but I strongly recommend that everyone at least check them out. If you are one of the few that can get into their music, you will be very, very enlightened.