Streetcleaner is the debut studio album by English industrial metal band Godflesh. It was released on 13 November 1989 through Earache Records and was reissued with a second disc of previously unreleased material on 21 June 2010. The album is widely acclaimed by critics and is often cited as a landmark release in industrial metal; though not the genre’s first release, Streetcleaner helped define what industrial metal would become.
The album was recorded at Southern Studios in Derbyshire, England, and produced by Justin Broadrick and Paul Neville. The album’s sound is characterized by its heavy, distorted guitars, pounding drums, and bleak, atmospheric atmosphere. The lyrics are often dark and introspective, dealing with themes of alienation, violence, and despair.
Streetcleaner was a critical and commercial success, reaching number 11 on the UK Independent Albums Chart. The album has been praised by critics for its innovative sound and its powerful, emotional impact. It has been cited as an influence by many other bands, including Tool, Nine Inch Nails, and Slipknot.
The album’s title track, “Streetcleaner,” is a nine-minute epic that sets the tone for the rest of the album. The song is a slow, grinding assault that builds to a crushing climax. The lyrics are a bleak meditation on the urban landscape and the human condition.
Other notable tracks on the album include “Like Rats,” “Christbait Rising,” and “Pulp.” “Like Rats” is a blistering attack that showcases the band’s raw power. “Christbait Rising” is a dark, atmospheric track that builds to a crescendo of noise and distortion. “Pulp” is a slow, grinding track that is both hypnotic and unsettling.
Streetcleaner is a landmark album that helped define the sound of industrial metal. The album is a powerful, emotional experience that is sure to leave a lasting impression.
Legacy
Streetcleaner is considered to be one of the most influential albums in the history of industrial metal. The album’s heavy, distorted guitars, pounding drums, and bleak, atmospheric atmosphere have been cited as an influence by many other bands, including Tool, Nine Inch Nails, and Slipknot.
In 2010, Streetcleaner was reissued with a second disc of previously unreleased material. The reissue also included a DVD with a documentary on the making of the album, as well as live footage and interviews.
Streetcleaner is a classic album that continues to be influential today. The album is a must-have for any fan of industrial metal.
