Jesu walks

If modern heavy metal were a map of the world, and the oceans were its various genres, then Jesu’s Justin Broadrick would be Sir Francis Drake. He’s conquered the world, and now he’s back at home fucking the queen.

Broadrick started in the mid-’80s with grindcore progenitors Napalm Death. At that point his music was about pure, unbridled speed and aggression. He shortly moved on to his most famous band, industrial pioneers Godflesh.

Godflesh was a drum-machine-driven, pummeling-guitar-doom band. Their fearsome early releases still stand today as some of the most terrifying music ever put to tape. As Godflesh developed, slowly but surely the music became less extreme. Broadrick started experimenting with techno and dance music, still with that heavy flair, but not with the same power as his earlier work.

In 2001, on the eve of a U.S. tour, Broadrick shut Godflesh down forever. He was done.

Not long after, a new musical project formed from the remnants of Broadrick’s artistic muse. His new music was still heavy, but instead of shying away from emotional depth, he embraced it–and Jesu was born.

Jesu’s music is a swirling mess of fuzzy guitars and bass, plodding along slow rhythms and drawn-out atmospheric melodies. It’s beautiful and serene.

On the first self-titled Jesu album from 2005, Broadrick established his sound, though there were moments when it wasn’t clear whether we were listening to a modern-day Godflesh, or a real, complete new band.

Jesu’s next release, the 2006 EP Silver, showed Broadrick further pushing his pop-sensibilities onto the heavy guitar format, with genuine catchiness seeping through the haze.

2007 should be considered the year of purging for Jesu. With no fewer than five releases since February, including sophomore album Conqueror and the recently released Lifeline EP, it’s clear that Broadrick is preparing to start anew from his post-Godflesh recording binge.

Let’s hope that this time, Jesu makes it last.

Jesu will be playing at Hawthorne Theatre this Saturday, Nov. 3. Tickets are $14.