Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Luciferian Towers
(Constellation)

Revered, uncompromising, austere, devotional, apocalyptic. These are just some of the words that come to mind when I think about the long-running, experimental post-rock band known as Godspeed You! Black Emperor out of Montreal. Though they’ve been a band since the mid 90’s, they only show 5 albums and 3 singles to their name. Their fanbase is strong and passionate and they were overjoyed when the band returned after a 10 year hiatus for 2012’s Allelujah! Don't Bend Ascend. Suffice to say when a new album is announced by GYBE, it’s a big deal.
They continued in 2015 with Asunder, Sweet And Other Distress and now just 2 years later we have another new LP, their 6th: Luciferian Towers. GYBE is notorious for little press contact, rare touring and hardly any information at all. We do know that the band was inspired to record new music and the frightening political climate appears to be a chief inspiration. Among the 4 song titles such as “Anthem For No State” and “Bosses Hang” are statements like “what we need now is shovels, wells and barricades” and “the forest is burning and soon they’ll hunt us like wolves.” It’s pretty clear that GYBE is ready for the world to be undone. 
Musically, those ideas and sentiments are echoed overtly. Lush dissonance swells from the outset as the band settles into “Undoing A Luciferian Towers.” Doom-laden percussion, guitar feedback and a massive dynamic pulse surround fallen trumpets, woodwinds and cello. It’s a din like no other band can conjure and it’s certainly a forecast of what’s to come. They create dark chambers of cathartic squall on the supreme and majestic “Anthem For No State.” The song begins to take on a militaristic slant with ratchet-like drumming by Aidan Girt, searing violin work by Sophie Trudeau and menacing guitar distortions by longtime co-leader Efrim Menuck. 
It was never really a question as to whether or not Luciferian Towers would be good. Of course it is. The only question is are you ready for it? (Dom)
Check out a track here.