BIRD EATER
Utah
(Exigent)

JESU
Lifeline
(Hydra Head)

EVILE
Enter the Grave
(Earache)

STINKING LIZAVETA
Scream of the Iron Iconoclast
(At a Loss)

WOLVES IN THE
THRONE ROOM
Two Hunters
(Southern Lord)

RED FANG
S/T 

(Wantage)

PURE SOUNDART
Emo is Dead

(Lockjaw)

MORE REVIEWS

Justin Broadrick’s extreme past gives him great advantage over the competition. Unlike any other artist currently making this sort of material, Broadrick’s underground pedigree guarantees him coverage in both extreme/underground and commercial press. Had he not been part of the early Napalm Death line up and 50% of the vastly influential Godflesh (and therefore being instrumental part in the early development of grindcore and industrial music), would his work as Jesu be featured in quality rags such as Decibel and Terrorizer magazine? I think not. All his output under the current Jesu brand contains literally zero extreme value and there are no metal or hardcore remnants left present. Nothing audible at least. But the man deserves it; Broadrick’s influence in metal music is everywhere these days, but while every other thinking headbanger fantasizes and climaxes with amalgamations of ethereal post rock and the obligatory heavy guitar moments, Broadrick simply ignores the latter and this way goes straight for the heart.

Like his previous material under the idea of Jesu, Lifeline continues the path of dense mid tempo beauty. Jesu’s songs sort of float in midair and are totally dream-like passages of drenched sonic colors, swirling string work, angelic vocals and simplified electronic beats. The material is quite astonishing too; “Storm Comin’ On” features Jarboe on vocals and it sounds as if it was created up in the sky. Think about angelic value here, but there is subliminal heaviness to this and all the other tracks.   If there is a reason (outside of Broarick’s past) that would make this worthy of metal press coverage is the undeterred intensity of each and every one of the songs.  Lifeline is a short four song EP and serves as reassurance that Broadrick is not only the boldest musician to come out of extreme music world, but also one of the most talented and prolific cats in the woodwork. 

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