Godsticks – ‘Emergence’ [Review]
Godsticks are fast becoming A Name in the prog world, and rightly so. Previous efforts Spiral Vendetta and The Envisage Conundrum have led the three-piece into the world of stages shared with the Aristocrats and the Mike Keneally Band, thanks to a double whammy of pristine musicianship and engaging compositional skill. Over time, Godsticks have edged closer and closer to the guitar-driven world of Fucking Badass Rock & Metal – and on Emergence, they’ve finally and firmly planted their flag left of that territory’s centre.
Emergence has a restless quality to it that reflects its creators’ recent evolution. Stylistically it feels uncertain, as if it’s not quite sure what it’s supposed to be – but at the same time, the musicianship on display is confident and self-assertive. Taken together, these aspects lend a nervous anxiety to Emergence‘s track listing – and if that was the point, then it’s fucking genius.
Below The Belt sets out Godsticks’ stall, with long and winding lyrical roads passing through chunky riff-canyons and crossing precipitous rhythmic crevices before Ruin flips into fragmentary keys, direct and vulnerable lyrics, and anxiety-ridden trills. More than anything, Godsticks in 2015 are all about massive grooves – and personal favourite Much Sinister digs into a prize-winning one, owing much to Joe Satriani rhythm guitar-wise; Devin Townsend in terms of rich harmonies, excellent arrangements, and just enough grandiosity; and even Steve Vai when the lead lines beyond 3:30 start to trickle in. Much Sinister manages to merge multiple influences into a truly stunning track.
Exit Stage Right gives us furry and hypersyncopated riffage, melted-ice soloing, and guttural wah work; All That Remains is a powerful breakup song, silky acoustic guitars, peaceful percussion, and heavenly backing vocals; Hopeless Situation twitches with panic-attack energy; and TMMP Highlight Number Two / darkly oppressive multi-meter behemoth One Percent kicks things up a notch with heavy and dirty bass and a downright brutal outro riff. Title track Emergence is a real odd one out, feeling too much like a work in progress; Leave Or Be Left is a short-lived interlude that to be brutally honest could easily have been cut out – and final track Lack Of Scrutiny suddenly leaps back to form with funky Aristocrats-esque riffs, Lydian tonalities, more Vailike melodies lurking languidly beneath the surface, exotic horns, an intense and tastefully embellished guitar solo, and a confidently strident close.
Overall, it’s clear that Godsticks are intent on doing their own thing and forcing themselves to evolve – and fair play to them. After all, bands should do whatever the fuck they like – and Emergence is a very cool, idiosyncratic album. It’s definitely one to dig into if you’re prog-curious – but (and it’s a pretty minor but) Godsticks’ best work is definitely still ahead of them. For now, though, Emergence is more than merely good enough.
TMMP RATING: 80%
Links
Emergence drops September 4.
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