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This would sound like a blasphemous thing to say now, but I can remember back when I originally heard them, I completely hated Godflesh. I had been taken in by the whole grindcore scene before it ever had really become that well known to most people outside of Europe, and spent a great deal of cash picking up import Earache releases. The Grindcrusher Compilation featured many of these, and of course, Godflesh as well, but in my opinion, they were too slow and needed to play at 1,000 MPH to get my attention. However, a faithful 10-hour car trip where the driver accidentally forgot every piece of music, save for Streetcleaner, would change my mind. Why review the CD now? Why not? Godflesh may be gone, but there are still plenty of people who have never taken the chance to listen to them. Streetcleaner may very well be the bleakest, darkest, most barren sounding CD that the band ever released in their career, and even today remains a classic. The opening track, “Like Rats” is just a mere taste of the slow churning sonic onslaught that you’re in for. It’s one of those relentless tracks that just doesn’t let up, nor does the following gem, “Like Rats,” a seven minute journey into sheer hatred filled with bizarre guitar work and ear rupturing feedback. Of course, those are the two most well known tracks on the disc, but there are others that are equally as impressive. I’ve long been partial to “Dream Long Dead,” another brooding and unrelenting track as well as “Life is Easy,” another of Justin’s trips into his sheer despise for society, at least vocally. The track also has some of the most impressive feedback out of any of the tracks on the disc. And of course, there’s the title track, “Streetcleaner,” a dismal song that’s aided by the samples of convicted serial killer Henry Lee Lucas. The CD version contains four bonus tracks that you won’t find of the cassette version or on the vinyl. It should also be noted that while the CD is still in print, those that are collectors of records should note that Earache at one point released a picture disc, although there are some claims that they really did not and it is a bootleg, that is highly sought after by collector's. With only two members, Justin Broadrick and GC Green, better known to some as Benny, as well as a drum machine and a few sessions with guest guitarist Paul Neville, Streetcleaner proves that great music is more than possible with a completely stripped down arrangement. You don’t need slick studio polishing to make it work; you just need the innovation as well as a stark statement to have it work. Streetcleaner is a very dark album, and still a classic after all these years. - mike -
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