Godhead At the Edge of the World
by Justin Gaines
Staff Writer
Those of us who had written Godhead off as a bunch of gothic-industrial Marilyn Manson hangers-on should be pleasantly surprised by the band’s latest effort At the Edge of the World. Godhead’s sound still features a heavy electronic presence, but the band took a decidedly melodic turn with their seventh studio album.
Take away the industrial elements, and At the Edge of the World could almost pass as a Talisman album. Godhead (and vocalist Jason Miller in particular) does surprisingly well as a straightforward modern rock band. Once you get past the first track or two, the songs on At the Edge of the World are very well-written, very melodic, and (and this may be a first) aren’t bogged down my so much electronic baggage that they lose their power. To be sure, those electronic elements are still present; they just aren’t as pronounced. Highlights include “Stay Back”, “Soldier’s Song” and the title track, but the whole album is pretty solid overall.
At the Edge of the World is an album that will please modern rock fans a lot quicker than it will goth kids. Those old school Godhead fans who actually like the techno-industrial style also have plenty to enjoy in the album’s final five tracks, which are beat-heavy, distortion-laden alternate mixes of some of the album’s better songs.
Lineup:
Jason Miller: Vocals, Guitar
Mike Miller: Guitar
Ullrich “Method” Hepperlin: Bass, Programming
Ty Smith: Drums
Label: Driven Music Group
Track Listing:
1. Approaching the Edge (Intro)
2. The Puppet
3. Stay Back
4. Just Take Anything
5. Hero
6. The Decline
7. Edge of the World
8. Closing the Door
9. Soldier’s Song
10. Consumption
11. Become the Sky
12. And Ever
13. The Origin of Suffering
14. Stay Back (Assemblage Mix)
15. Consumption (Melt Mix)
16. Soldier’s Song (Sold-Your-Soul Mix)
17. Closing the Door (Cursed Mix)
18. Edge of the World (Fat Acid Mix)
Online: Official site
Hardrock Haven Rating: 7/10