Jesu (band)

Infobox musical artist
Name = Jesu
Img_capt = Justin Broadrick (l), Diarmuid Dalton
Img_size =
Landscape =
Background = group_or_band
Alias =
Origin = Abergele, Wales, United Kingdom
Genre = Experimental rock
Ambient
Post-metal
Shoegazing
Drone metal
Years_active = 2003–present
Label = Hydra Head
Daymare
Avalanche
Aurora Borealis
TRL
Dry Run
Associated_acts =
URL = [http://www.avalancheinc.co.uk/jesu.html Official website]
Current_members = Justin Broadrick
Diarmuid Dalton
Ted Parsons
Past_members =

Jesu is an experimental rock band formed in 2003 by Justin Broadrick following the breakup of Godflesh. Jesu was the name of the last song on the final Godflesh release, "Hymns", and Broadrick decided to adopt it as the name of his new project.

Jesu's sound is heavily layered and textured, drawing from and incorporating an eclectic mix of influences, ranging from ambient music, post-metal and drone doom, to shoegazing, downtempo and industrial music. Their recent releases have been described as "avant-pop" and avant-garde doom.

Biography

Their first release, the "Heart Ache" EP, was released in 2004 and featured Broadrick performing all of the instruments and vocals alone. It was followed in 2005 by the full-length self-titled LP, which featured the addition of bassist Diarmuid Dalton and drummer Ted Parsons, although not every song features both members.

With their third release, 2006's four song "Silver" EP, Jesu took a more melodic and layered approach, gaining comparison to shoegazing band My Bloody Valentine. [Jurek, Thom. " [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:u7ge4j478wau~T1 Silver] ". "All Music Guide". Retrieved August 3, 2006.] The majority of this release feature Broadrick and Dalton, with Parsons joining them for the title track.

The full lineup recorded the second full-length album, "Conqueror", which was released on February 20, 2007 in the United States, February 19 in the United Kingdom and Europe, and on February 2 in Japan. Broadrick and Dalton recorded the "Sun Down / Sun Rise" EP without Parsons for an April 23 release. The EP had seen release in Japan where it had been packaged as a bonus CD for the "Conqueror" album. Jesu returned as a solo act with the release of the split 12" album with Eluvium, released on July 5, 2007.

October 2007 saw the release of "Pale Sketches", a collection of unreleased Jesu songs performed entirely by Broadrick and recorded between 2000 and 2007. The album was released on Broadrick's own label, Avalanche. That same month, a four song EP entitled "Lifeline", once again featuring Broadrick as the sole member, was released by Hydra Head in the United States and Daymare in Japan.

The band made their United States live debut in March 2007 as an opening act for Isis, although work permit problems caused them to miss the first three weeks of the tour. Neither Parsons nor Dalton were able to participate in the tour and were temporarily replaced by Danny Walker (of Intronaut) and long-time Broadrick collaborator Dave Cochrane (God, Ice), respectively. During this tour, Jesu also made its South by Southwest debut as part of a Hydra Head Records showcase.

In late 2007, the band embarked on headlining tours of the United Kingdom, Japan, Europe and the United States. During this tour, Phil Petrocelli of Seattle band, Black Noise Cannon, took over as the band's touring drummer.

Jesu released their second split release, this time with Japanese post-rock band, Envy, through Daymare Records on July 11, 2008.

Future releases

On August 12, 2008, another split 12", this time with Battle of Mice, will be released by Robotic Empire. The album had first been announced in 2006 but was delayed while awaiting cover art.

On September 9, 2008, Hydra Head will release "Why Are We Not Perfect", a CDEP that will feature the Jesu songs originally only available on the Eluvium split vinyl album, as well as two new remixes. Daymare will release the album in Japan, with an additional third remix not available on the American release.

On September 23, 2008, Dwell Records will release "Like Black Holes in The Sky: The Tribute to Syd Barrett" which features Jesu covering Pink Floyd's "Chapter 24". Jesu has also contributed a cover track of The Cure's "The Funeral Party" to "Perfect As Cats: A Tribute to The Cure", to be released by Manimal Vinyl in October, 2008.

Remixes

Using the Jesu name, Broadrick has also contributed remixed versions of songs by such bands as N.I.C., Agoraphobic Nosebleed, Explosions in the Sky, Pelican, Fog, Maninkari, Pyramids, and Genghis Tron.

Members

Current members

*Justin Broadrick – guitar, vocals, programming, bass guitar on "Heart Ache, seven-string guitar live and on the "Silver" EP"
*Diarmuid Dalton – bass guitar
*Ted Parsons – drums, percussion

Touring members

*Danny Walker – drums
*Dave Cochrane – bass guitar
*Phil Petrocelli – drums

ession musicians

*Paul Neville – extra guitar ("Man/Woman", "Jesu")
*Jarboe – vocals ("Storm Comin' On", "Lifeline" EP)

Discography

References

External links

* [http://www.avalancheinc.co.uk/jesu.html Official website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/officialjesu Official Myspace profile]
* [http://www.689eyes.com/godflesh/index.html In The Flesh: extensive fan website]
* [http://jesuband.org Fan Site / Detailed Discography]
*
* [http://www.metal-archives.com/band.php?id=21392 Jesu] at Encyclopaedia Metallum
*
* [http://www.lambgoat.com/features/interviews/jesu.aspx Jesu at lambgoat.com]
* [http://www.exclaim.ca/musicreviews/generalreview.aspx?csid1=125&csid2=846&fid1=33131 Jesu at exclaim]