Jesu - Piety.

This must be what it's like to watch stars die in space…

Justin K. Broadrick. A genius by any other name. Is there anything he can’t do? He’s been a justifiable force in music since the 80’s, always finding ways to further sonic possibilities with his unique welding of industrial architecture onto tectonic riffage for a crushing result. Hey, we like the guy, whether it’s in the form of Godflesh, Head Of David, his contribution to early Napalm Death or in the massive, pop-drone that is Jesu.

‘Piety’ is the latest release from Broadrick, part of a double with ‘Pity’ being the other track. As can be customary for Jesu releases, it clocks in at over 17 minutes so don’t put it on if you have errands, it deserves your fullest attention! ‘Piety’ builds from an electronic echo, a pulsing wave reverberating in your ear boxes as you raise your eyes skyward. Guitars and drums kick in like lead from a forge, molten and burning, almost smoking. 

The synths come back as the song drives on at a shimmering, glacial pace. This must be what it's like to watch stars die in space, all the energy building slowly to a final crescendo that implodes in the void, coming to dust and then emptiness. Jesu’s ability to create a complex soundscape with an almost shoegaze punk veneer is legendary (listen to the song ‘Friends Are Evil’ to see what we mean). 

In the last third of the track, the atmosphere shifts slightly as the power drones and distortion dies away to leave a reverb-drenched motif playing out to the end. Palpable in its introspectiveness, its loneliness, the experience is reminiscent of Boards Of Canada, the warped tremolo delay sound adding to the effect. Then it’s over. The perfect soundtrack to traversing through the rings of Saturn. Screw it; we are pressing repeat.