Justin Broadrick, frontman of the industrial metal band Godflesh, has announced that the group will end its activities soon following doctor's orders after undergoing surgery for a hernia. The band will stop live performances immediately and complete its two remaining albums before concluding. Broadrick plans to continue music through other projects that do not require intense vocal strain.
Justin Broadrick shared a detailed statement on Instagram explaining the decision to wind down Godflesh. He recently had open abdominal surgery to repair an inguinal hernia, described as nearly an emergency situation. The procedure involved a 6-inch incision in his groin, as it was not keyhole surgery. At 57 years old, Broadrick noted his abdominal wall is weak and unlikely to strengthen.
His surgeon advised against shouting or screaming to avoid risks of further hernias or complete abdominal wall failure. Broadrick stated, “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.” As a result, the band halted live shows immediately, with last year's European performances marking their final ones.
Godflesh, formed in 1988 in Birmingham, England, by Broadrick and B.C. Green, has released nine studio albums to date. They have already recorded their penultimate album, Decay, a follow-up to 2023's Purge, set for release on Relapse Records at the end of summer, pending mixing. Their final full-length LP, written about a year and a half ago, is scheduled for recording near the end of this year. After these releases, no new studio albums or performances are planned, though occasional dubs or live albums might appear.
Broadrick intends to persist in music with Jesu and JK Flesh, projects that avoid screaming or demanding physicality. He also aims to launch a new solo venture exploring heavy music with guitars, electronics, and non-shouted vocals.
