Slavestate

Slavestate is the second EP by English industrial metal band Godflesh. It was released in July 1991 through Earache Records. The EP saw the band experimenting with more samples and electronic sounds than their predominantly industrial metal prior releases.[1]

Slavestate
EP by
Godflesh
ReleasedJuly 1991
RecordedFebruary–March 1991
StudioAvalanche Studios
Genre
Length
  • 22:10 (original EP)
  • 58:15 (CD release)
Label
ProducerJustin Broadrick
Godflesh chronology
Streetcleaner
(1989)		 Slavestate
(1991)		 Cold World
(1991)

Composition

With Slavestate, Godflesh sought to diversify their metal-dominated sound by introducing elements of dance music and electronic body music.[2][3] Still, the music retained the harsh guitar and vocals of frontman Justin Broadrick, as well as the extreme aspects of Godflesh.[4] Ira A. Robbins of Trouser Press wrote, "The four-song Slavestate EP finds the band charging full-on into an industrial-dance realm, giving Streetcleaner's lurch-and-crunch the twist of a rhythmic basis."[5] The EP's title track contains a sample of the song "Stakker Humanoid" by Brian Dougans.[2][6]

On Slavestate's shift in style, Broadrick said:

I wanted to use dance elements within the realm of Godflesh. We got some shit from people, but we also accessed a whole new audience [...] All four of our records are different. Now there's the techno audience that likes Slavestate.[7]

Release

Slavestate was initially released as a four-song EP. A three-song remix EP titled Slavestate Remixes saw a limited vinyl release in September that same year.[8] The remixes were later appended to all further issues of Slavestate. The CD release also included the tracks from the follow-up "Slateman" single. In August 2009, Slavestate was reissued as part of a triple-CD package which also included the EP Cold World (1991) and the band's second studio album, Pure (1992).[9]

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[2]

Slavestate received lukewarm reviews, with the exception of the song "Meltdown", which was singled out as a highlight.[2][4] Ned Raggett of AllMusic appreciated the change in pace from Godflesh's heavy, metal-focused music, but was ultimately unimpressed.[2] Writing for The Quietus, Noel Gardner thought the introduction of electronic and dance elements was clunky but somewhat admirable.[4] Broadrick was disappointed by the EP's contemporary reception, saying it "should have received far more acclaim than it did."[10] In 1997, Metal Hammer retrospectively described the EP as "cutting edge".[11]

Accolades
Year Publication Country Accolade Rank
2016DecibelUnited States "The Top 30 Albums of 1991"17[12]

Track listing
Original EP
No.TitleLength
1."Slavestate"3:58
2."Perfect Skin"7:37
3."Someone Somewhere Scorned"4:47
4."Meltdown"5:48
Total length:22:10
Slavestate Remixes
No.TitleLength
5."Slavestate" (Radio Slave)5:00
6."Slavestate" (Total State Mix)8:29
7."Perfect Skin" (Dub)12:15
Total length:47:54
"Slateman" single
No.TitleLength
8."Slateman"5:56
9."Wound '91"4:24
Total length:58:14

Personnel

Credits adapted from liner notes.[13]

References
  1. Gore, Joe (December 1991). "Profile–Godflesh: Justin Broadrick's industrial metal meltdown". Guitar Player. 25: 27–28.
  2. Raggett, Ned. "Slavestate – Godflesh". AllMusic. Retrieved January 21, 2018.
  3. Collepiccolo, Luca (April 1992). "Godflesh – Into the Void". Blast! (in Italian): 12–15.
  4. Gardner, Noel. "Godflesh – Slavestate, Pure, Cold World Reissues". The Quietus. Retrieved January 21, 2018.
  5. Robbins, Ira A. (1991). The Trouser Press record guide. Collier Books. pp. 283. ISBN 0020363613. Slateman godflesh.
  6. Broadrick, Justin (21 April 2018). "EX.406 Justin Broadrick – Kicking against the pricks with the Birmingham prodigy". Resident Advisor (Interview). Interviewed by Holly Dicker. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
  7. Pettigrew, Jason (June 1992). "Godflesh – Louder Than Life". Alternative Press. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
  8. Slavestate Remixes (vinyl liner notes). Godflesh. Earache Records. 1991. MOSH 30T(R). Retrieved April 4, 2018.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. "Slavestate". godflesh.com. Crumbling Flesh. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
  10. "Godflesh". Convulsion Online. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
  11. "Godflesh Sing in Dub". Metal Hammer. July 1997. Retrieved 30 December 2018.
  12. Bonazelli, Andrew (5 February 2016). "The Top 30 Albums of 1991". Decibel. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  13. Slavestate (CD liner notes). Godflesh. Earache Records. 1991. MOSH 30. Retrieved April 4, 2018.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
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