Pure

As a Godflesh fanatic, I found it logical to explore the back catalouge of this amazing band. As far as I'm concerned, this album remains GF's most underratted albums. It's takes the soul-wrecking drum machine-based metal of their previous release, the almighty 'Streetcleaner,' and expands on it, creating a more atmospheric sound, one that is more... "pure."

Justin Broadrick has crafted a more experimental take on the industrial-fused sound he and C.G. Green, GF's longtime bassist, originally crafted while not losing none of the first release's massive heaviness. It's still got the extremely distorted guitars, the robot-like drums, and the evil sounding, maniputlated vocals, provided by Broadrick himself. But while the first album was based an punishing the listener with an uncertainty that was darkly familiar to the world we live in, this album gives us a more personal feeling that pushes those who listen to explore the dark side of... oursleves.

First off, lets examine the percussion. 'Streetcleaner' featured a more realistic drum tone, while 'Pure' offers a drum tone that is more industrial sounding and is much harsher and punishing than that of the previous albums sound. It's pretty extreme, but thats just what Broadrick and Green are after: pure aural punishment. And thats what we, the feeble listener, proudly receive.

Next up, how about those guitar tones? I've never heard anything more grating. I mean, Norwegian black metal has got nothing on this. I think Broadrick's Whitehouse influences were beginning to seep in at the time. It certainly sounds like harsh noise. It's compliments the percussion quite well, though. They blend together well, just like on 'Streetcleaner.' While the first album's tones were sludgy and muddy, these tones are screeching and scooped, holding a stark contrast to the debut's sounds.

This whole album is one massive experience, just like 'Streetcleaner.' It tests the listener's ability to stand the extreme sounds of this album. The riffs are harsh, the percussion is punishing, and the vocals simply drip with supressed feelings coming forth. This album is seriously something else.