Godflesh is about to be over. Justin K. Broadrick, the visionary auteur who has fronted the industrial metal band since founding it with bandmate B.C. Green in Birmingham, UK in 1988, revealed in a detailed Instagram message that recent health issues have precipitated the end of the project.
Three weeks ago Broadrick, 57, had surgery to repair an inguinal hernia, which required a six-inch incision in his groin. "This unfortunately was not keyhole surgery," he writes. Recovery has been difficult. "If I continue to perform and shout/scream as I do with Godflesh, then I am at high risk for more hernias, and blowing out my abdominal wall entirely," Broadrick writes. Thus, "Godflesh live ended the day of my surgery, and upon the surgeon making this statement."
He'll continue to record and perform with Jesu and JK Flesh, which are less physically demanding. Furthermore, "In the near future, a new solo project will emerge, further exploring the parameters of heavy/ugly music, featuring my guitars and electronics, and of course vocals, but NOT shouted vocals!"
As for Godflesh, Wales-based Broadrick has been mixing new album DECAY with plans for release this summer and has written one more album that he hopes to record before the end of the year. "After that there will continue to be GODFLESH dub albums, live albums, and so on, but no new studio releases nor performances."
Here's Broadrick's full message:
I’ve dreaded sharing this news, partly due to the threat of
insensitive and/or negative comments, combined simply with the general anxiety of it all, I am also exhausted,
but I’ve left comments on.So, 3 weeks ago I had significant open abdominal surgery for a inguinal hernia that was close
to an emergency.I am still in shock from the process, and as someone with diagnosed Autism and C-PTSD,
open surgery is absolutely debilitating, not that it is easier for anyone of course.I had a huge hernia, and for it to be repaired, I had to endure a 6 inch incision in my groin.
This unfortunately was not keyhole surgery.
I have a very weak abdominal wall, which at being 57 yrs old this year, is not going to improve.
If I continue to perform and shout/scream as I do with Godflesh, then I am at high risk for
more hernias, and blowing out my abdominal wall entirely.Godflesh live ended the day of my surgery, and upon the surgeon making this statement.
I am now just about walking freely, but with little pace, albeit extremely carefully.
The full healing process is approximately 6 months.
Fortunately, my other projects do not require screaming/shouting nor a physically demanding
performance; jesu and JK FLESH shows remain.I have been mixing, what will be the penultimate GODFLESH album - ‘DECAY’, for
release on Relapse in hopefully July/Aug, mixes are being completed imminently.The album is basically done.
I’ve had the final GODFLESH studio album written, for almost a year and half now, that will
be recorded and completed late 2026.After that there will continue to be GODFLESH dub albums, live albums, and so on,
but no new studio releases nor performances.In the near future, a new solo project will emerge, further exploring the parameters
of heavy/ugly music, featuring my guitars and electronics, and of course vocals, but
NOT shouted vocals!Regarding GODFLESH in Athens, Gr, please contact the promotion for details, etc.
There will be an official announcement via my agency/management regarding this
ASAP.Thank you for your understanding.
Take care out there.
Justin
This means Godflesh's concert last Oct. 30 at Scala in London was their final performance. Good luck to Broadrick as he recovers.
