Godspeed You! Black Emperor

For the film, see God Speed You! Black Emperor.

Godspeed You! Black Emperor
Godspeed You! Black Emperor performing live at Roadburn Festival in 2018. From left to right: Menuck, Pezzente, Girt, Amar and Trudeau.
Godspeed You! Black Emperor performing live at Roadburn Festival in 2018. From left to right: Menuck, Pezzente, Girt, Amar and Trudeau.
Background information
Also known as
  • Godspeed You Black Emperor!
  • Godspeed
  • GY!BE
  • God's Pee
  • Pee'd Emp'ror
OriginMontreal, Quebec, Canada
Genres
DiscographyGodspeed You! Black Emperor discography
Years active
  • 1994–2003
  • 2010–present
Labels
Members
Past members
  • Mark Littlefair
  • Thea Pratt
  • Bruce Cawdron
  • Norsola Johnson
  • Roger Tellier-Craig
  • Grayson Walker
  • Christophe
  • Fluffy Erskine
Websitebrainwashed.com/godspeed/

Godspeed You! Black Emperor (sometimes abbreviated to GY!BE or Godspeed)[1][2] is a Canadian post-rock band that originated in Montreal, Quebec, in 1994. The group releases recordings through Constellation, an independent record label also located in Montreal.

The group released their debut album F♯ A♯ ∞, in 1997 and toured regularly from 1998 to 2003. Their second album Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven (2000) received critical acclaim and has been named as one of the best albums of the decade.[3] Following the release of Yanqui U.X.O. (2002), the band went on hiatus in 2003 to pursue other musical interests.

The band was rumored to have broken up, but reformed in 2010.[4][5] Their first post-reunion album Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend! (2012) won the 2013 Polaris Music Prize. This was followed by Asunder, Sweet and Other Distress (2015), Luciferian Towers (2017), G_d's Pee at State's End! (2021) and No Title as of 13 February 2024 28,340 Dead (2024).

The band has a dedicated cult following and is renowned for being influential in the post-rock genre.[6][7][8][9] Their music, mainly instrumental in nature, has been noted for its contrasts between ambient soundscapes and chaotic crescendos; use of field recordings and spoken word monologues; and focus on dystopian, anarchist and anti-war themes. Members of the group have formed a number of side projects, including Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra-La-La Band, Fly Pan Am, HṚṢṬA, Esmerine, and Set Fire to Flames.

  1. ^ Henderson, Stuart (October 11, 2012). "Noted and Notable: New GY!BE and More, PopMatters". Popmatters.com. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  2. ^ "Godspeed You! Black Emperor". Cstrecords.com. Archived from the original on June 21, 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  3. ^ Greer, Nick (June 11, 2010). "Top 100 Albums of the Decade". Sputnikmusic. Archived from the original on February 28, 2022. Retrieved July 28, 2019.
  4. ^ "Godspeed You! Black Emperor quit over Iraq". NME. 2008. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved February 17, 2008.
  5. ^ Phillips, Amy (February 11, 2008). "Godspeed Still on Hiatus, Not Completely Broken Up". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on February 12, 2008. Retrieved October 8, 2009.
  6. ^ "Just Announced: Post-rock cult faves Godspeed You! Black Emperor headlining Union Transfer | The Key". Thekey.xpn.org. September 16, 2013. Archived from the original on September 8, 2017. Retrieved April 18, 2014.
  7. ^ Andre Paine (November 22, 2013). "Godspeed You! Black Emperor, O2 Academy Brixton – music review – Music – Going Out – London Evening Standard". Standard.co.uk. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved April 18, 2014.
  8. ^ Gabrielle Dominique. "Listen To The New Godspeed You! Black Emperor LP". Cmj.com. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved April 18, 2014.
  9. ^ "Review: Godspeed You! Black Emperor – Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend!". Hangout.altsounds.com. Archived from the original on March 18, 2013. Retrieved April 18, 2014.