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Artists like Godspeed You Black Emperor — and the music that made them

Post-Rock · 1994–present
Orchestral post-rock epics that soundtracks civilization's beautiful collapse
Godspeed You! Black Emperor crafts sprawling instrumental compositions that blend post-rock, drone, and classical elements into cinematic soundscapes of apocalyptic beauty. Their politically-charged, anonymous collective approach and marathon compositions have made them the most influential post-rock band of the past three decades.
Essential tracks
►Storm
►East Hastings
►Sleep
Did you know
They famously declined a Polaris Music Prize in 2013 with a note calling it a 'stolen Native land' money grab
The band records in a defunct church they converted into a studio in Montreal
Their track 'East Hastings' became widely known as the theme music for the zombie film '28 Days Later'
“Apocalyptic orchestral drones building to earth-shaking crescendos of collective catharsis.”
2
generations
of influence
If you like Godspeed You Black Emperor, try these
Swans
They share the same commitment to overwhelming volume and ritualistic repetition that builds to transcendent peaks.
1980s · Experimental Rock
Sunn O)))
Their drone-heavy compositions create similar feelings of dread and sublime beauty through extended sonic exploration.
1990s · Drone Metal
Sigur Rós
They craft equally epic soundscapes with bowed guitars and orchestral arrangements that evoke similar emotional landscapes.
1990s · Post-Rock
Earth
Their minimalist approach to heavy music shares the same patience for letting single ideas develop over vast timeframes.
1990s · Drone Metal
Neurosis
They combine crushing heaviness with atmospheric passages and apocalyptic themes in extended compositional forms.
1980s · Post-Metal
A Silver Mt. Zion
This related project explores similar political themes with chamber arrangements and Efrim Menuck's haunting vocals.
2000s · Experimental Rock
But where did the sound actually come from?
Influence tree
Trace Godspeed You Black Emperor's roots back through history
Every sound has a source. Click any node to hear the connection.
Godspeed You! Black Emperor
1994–present
Glenn Branca
1970s–2010s
cited
Rhys Chatham
1970s–present
cited
Slint
1986–1992
cited
The Velvet Underground
1965–1973
cited
Neu!
1971–1975
sonic
Ennio Morricone
1960s–2020
sonic
La Monte Young
1960s–present
movement
Tony Conrad
1960s–2016
movement
↑ Click any influence node to see the connection and where to start listening.
What makes the sound
Sonic elements
Bowed guitar drones and feedback
Field recordings and spoken word samples
Orchestral arrangements with strings and brass
Extreme dynamic shifts from whisper to roar
Start with these tracks
F♯ A♯ ∞
Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven
The Dead Flag Blues
East Hastings
About this page

Music like Godspeed You Black Emperor — Godspeed You! Black Emperor crafts sprawling instrumental compositions that blend post-rock, drone, and classical elements into cinematic soundscapes of apocalyptic beauty. Their politically-charged, anonymous collective approach and marathon compositions have made them the most influential post-rock band of the past three decades.

Artists like Godspeed You Black Emperor today include Swans, Sunn O))), Sigur Rós, Earth.

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