My recommendations 2006:Silver EP by Jesu

Jesu: Silver EP
Hydrahead 4/11/2006

Critics have attempted to pigeonhole Jesu into various categories, usually some kind of subgenre of metal. Perhaps critics are unwilling or unable to see Justin Broadrick's new band in any other light because he was in Napalm Death and Godflesh. To me, Jesu sounds more similar to dark ambient acts of the mid 90s than any metal I've ever heard. Like Lycia, as well as every other band signed to Projekt in the 90s, Jesu uses slow, grinding drones to form the foundations of melodies. Unlike Black Tape for a Blue Girl and their sound-alikes, however, Jesu does it without becoming monotonous. I suppose this is because, despite how slowly the songs unfurl, there are distinct verses, bridges and choruses - all absent from most dark ambient. As much as I loved that kind of music ten years ago, I could only take so much of it, even then. Jesu, on the other hand, leaves me wanting more.