Released in 1989, Streetcleaner by Godflesh is, in my view, the best album ever. Period. Hailing from Birmingham, England—the birthplace of countless heavy music pioneers—Godflesh crafted this unrelenting masterpiece in the post-industrial desolation of their hometown. Founding members Justin Broadrick and G.C. Green brought unique influences to the project: Broadrick had previously played in Napalm Death, where he helped shape grindcore’s early sound, while Green’s bass-playing brought a raw, mechanical edge inspired by punk, dub, and probably The Stranglers.
The album’s influences extend far beyond traditional rock boundaries. Drawing from industrial pioneers like Throbbing Gristle, the cold minimalism of post-punk bands such as Killing Joke, the crushing weight of early Swans, and the ridiculously heavy basslines of The Stranglers, Streetcleaner merges these disparate elements into a punishing, dystopian soundscape. Every track is a relentless assault, pounding with drum machines, grinding basslines, and Broadrick’s anguished vocals. Tracks like “Like Rats” and “Christbait Rising” exude urban decay, capturing the bleakness of an industrial landscape. There’s no respite, no uplifting chorus, no compromise—just raw, oppressive power.
What sets Streetcleaner apart is its purity of vision. This isn’t just music; it’s an uncompromising statement. Few albums achieve this level of emotional weight and sonic devastation. For anyone seeking the heaviest, most impactful music ever created, Streetcleaner is essential listening. It’s more than an album; it’s an experience, a descent into transcendent heaviness that has no equal.
Sterling Mosh 
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