There are not many releases I was so anxiously awaiting in reflected silence than the first output of JESU, the band arisen out of the ashes of legendary Godflesh.

What to expect? Music in the veins of “new noise bands” like Isis and Cult Of Luna, which – without any doubt – tend to Godflesh stuff? An upgrade of the typical Godflesh style or something more electronic as Broadrick creates in one of his side projects with Kevin Martin (The Bug, God), like Techno Animal for example? Something completely different?

Of course, the unique guitar sound of Jason K. Broadrick (who has recorded this EP all alone) reminds of Godflesh and his melodically melancholic singing of good old Pure times.
Ok, that surely was to expect! But surprisingly most general influences that result in the music of JESU comes from Broadrick’s ambient project Final. Both of the songs - Heart Ache and Ruined (around 20 minutes each) expose such a majestic grandeur and serenity, I have hardly ever heard before. Without sounding constructed and experienced, pure creativity reigns and the will to bring something new and different into being.

Directly striking are the multiplicity of grandiose melodies which have been more deconstructed in Godflesh. In JESU tunes are minimalist, piling up over minutes, just to end up in the middle of nowhere or being taken over by mighty guitar walls.
Just giving an example of what kind of incredible atmosphere gets created: the singing sets in after 8 minutes, for just two lines. Afterwards ambient-like soundscapes take over again. Likewise new are piano, keyboard and acoustic guitar parts, being unbelievable harmonious and giving a slight soundtrack-like touch to the music that accompanies the film in your head.

Close your eyes and enjoy! Anyway, this CD is a MUST-HAVE for all Godflesh fans, and for everybody else who is into atmospherically intense and melancholy-draped sounds and who is not bothered by odd noise parts. A debut full-length is set to be released in September via Hydrahead with – as I have heard – partaking members from Swans, Prong and Killing Joke.

This rating is definitely not made for this magazine! That’s for sure! ;)