New Jesu Album; Interview With Justin Broadrick

2006-11-22 , Story by: Kory Grow, www.cmj.com/
 
On Feburary 20, 2007, Jesu will release their second full-length, Conqueror, through Hydra Head. As the immediate successor to industro-pioneers Godflesh, the trio, which consists of Justin K. Broadrick, sometime Swans drummer Ted Parsons and ex-Cable Regime bassist Diarmuid Dalton, has created their most beautifully epic album yet, full of catchy hooks, clean vocals and a bunch of other sounds not typically associated with Broadrick or Jesu. In a recent interview with CMJ, Broadrick said, "It’s really pop. It’s way more pop than, say, the first actual Jesu album, which is actually like a black hole of depression. But it’s still very emotional and very depressing."

Jesu worked hard to make this album more of a "band" outing, and ended up with eight songs that total about 60 minutes. "It’s not like the first album, [which] by my own admission, drags intentionally," says Broadrick. "The first album was pushed to the max at 75 minutes and, intentionally, I wanted it to be use it as you wish. But for those who listen from start to finish that’s fine, but I wouldn’t[laughs]. But this album you can take in one session, I think, and it’s very melodramatic."

Broadrick is also quite proud that "there’s some quite short songs on there as well"—At least two or three songs at five and a half minutes. "I think there’s only one song that’s around 10," he says.

In other Jesu news, Broadrick has said that a US tour is possibly—finally!—in the works on his blog saying, "Jesu WILL hopefully be touring the U.S.A. beginning late Feb ending early April 2007 in support of the Conqueror album release in mid Feb 2007. More info soon... " Also coming soon are a slew of other Jesu releases, inclulding a Hydra Head/Temporary Residence limited-edition split release between Jesu (Broadrick only) and Eluvium, a Jesu and Battle Of Mice split for Robotic Empire and a limited Jesu 12-inch EP with two songs, "Sun Down" and "Sun Rise" for Aurora Borealis. Broadrick has also started a group called Grey Machine with former Head Of David collaborator Dave Cochrane.