Luciferian Towers is the sixth studio album by Godspeed You! Black Emperor (GY!BE), inviting listeners into a profound exploration of political and artistic themes. Released on September 22, 2017, the album was recorded at Hotel2Tango and The Pines studios in Montreal and released under the Constellation Records label. The album features instrumental compositions that reflect both the band’s melodic focus and its steadfast political stance.
Spanning a total runtime of 44 minutes and 4 seconds, the album comprises eight tracks. "Bosses Hang" and "Anthem for No State" each unfold across three parts, continuing the band’s tradition of epic, layered compositions. The opening track, "Undoing a Luciferian Towers," introduces the album with an unconventional mix of saxophone and trumpet, infusing the soundscape with fresh energy.
Upon release, the band issued a manifesto outlining the creative process behind the album and their demands, including the abolition of borders, dismantling the prison-industrial complex, and recognizing healthcare, housing, food, and water as fundamental human rights. This declaration positions the album as both a musical experience and a political statement.
Luciferian Towers is more than a melodic album; it serves as a critique of contemporary social and political issues. Each track invites the listener on a journey from melancholy to hope, with the band aiming to tell a story that transcends music itself. The contributions of guest musicians, particularly on Undoing a Luciferian Towers, expand the album’s sonic palette, offering a fresh perspective within the band’s established framework. The dramatic crescendos and layered arrangements mirror the group’s political stance, emphasizing the urgency of their message.
Critically acclaimed, the album was described by Pitchfork as one of the band’s most melodically driven and positively charged works.
Album Line-Up
The line-up showcases the band’s extensive instrumental range, while contributions from guest musicians add a unique texture to the album.
- Thierry Amar – Double bass, bass guitar
- David Bryant – Electric guitar, MG-One
- Aidan Girt – Drums
- Timothy Herzog – Drums
- Efrim Manuel Menuck – Electric guitar, organ, OP-1
- Mike Moya – Electric guitar
- Mauro Pezzente – Bass guitar
- Sophie Trudeau – Violin, organ
Guest Musicians
- Bonnie Kane – Saxophone, flute, electronics
- Craig Pedersen – Trumpet
Tracklist
- Undoing a Luciferian Towers – (7:48): A dramatic and compelling opening track. The addition of saxophone and trumpet brings a fresh dimension to the band’s established sound.
- Bosses Hang, Pt. I – (4:40): The first part of this suite introduces driving guitar melodies and rhythmic intensity.
- Bosses Hang, Pt. II – (4:41): A more minimalist section that strengthens the composition’s emotional depth.
- Bosses Hang, Pt. III – (5:25): The final part culminates in a burst of energy, delivering an epic conclusion to the suite.
- Fam/Famine – (6:45): A highly experimental and atmospheric track that bridges the album’s sections.
- Anthem for No State, Pt. I – (3:06): A subtle and poignant introduction, hinting at the suite’s broader narrative.
- Anthem for No State, Pt. II – (2:56): The middle section heightens tension with its melancholic tones.
- Anthem for No State, Pt. III – (8:37): The album’s climactic piece, blending melodic crescendos and thematic resolution.
