OneMetal.com NEWS:
Godflesh’s landmark debut ‘Streetcleaner’ to be remastered

Back in 1990, two lads from Birmingham and an Alesis-16 drum machine came together to release an album that was to stand as a towering achievement in the fields of both metal and industrial music. Those two lads? Guitarist/vocalist Justin K. Broadrick, formerly of Napalm Death and Head of David, and bassist Benny Green. The band? Godflesh, renowned for their uncompromisingly punishing music and for influencing countless artists throughout the years, Fear Factory not least amongst them. The album? Streetcleaner.

Now, twenty years down the line, Streetcleaner is due to receive a thorough polishing-up and a re-release, just in time for the band’s reformation at the next Hellfest (after the release of 2001’s Hymns, Ben Green announced his departure, and despite Green being replaced by Killing Joke/Prong’s Paul Raven, Justin Broadrick announced Godflesh’s dissolution in spring 2002, going on to his next project, Jesu).

The initial news from Earache Records read thusly:

GODFLESH working on Streetcleaner V 2.0 – revamped, revised and re-worked version of the original w/ bonuses. Instores for Hellfest.

After some online speculation as to the exact nature of this re-release, Justin Broadrick said the following on his blog:

I have had a few questions / assumptions on Twitter regarding the news that the Godflesh ‘Streetcleaner’ LP is being reworked. The truth is that I am finally remastering the album, there are no remixes / re-recordings or such nonsense. Additionally, I am hoping to compile an extra discs worth of rough and original mixes from the ‘Streetcleaner’ studio sessions, also rehearsal versions, etc. More news as I compile this. If all goes to plan, this will be a very exciting and much needed update of the ‘Streetcleaner’ LP. Planned for release on Earache in June 2010 to coincide with Godflesh at Hellfest.

So, in June 2010, those who missed out on the grinding, oppressive grandeur of Godflesh first time around get an opportunity to listen to a remastered version of the album that provided the inspiration for much metallic output that utilises samples and industrial soundscapes, whilst those of us who loved the album first time round get a bonus disc full of unreleased additions. Roll on June…