Since hitting the progressive music scene in 2009, Godsticks have caused a bit of a stir. Self-styled purveyors of progressive rock/pop, Godsticks have been notoriously difficult to pigeon-hole, and one of the few new bands who can claim to possess their very own style and sound. As written by one reviewer upon release of their first EP:
“In a world where a plethora of new albums are issued each year, coming across an act where influences are hard to place - or even find - is an eye-opener in itself".
Formed in 2006, and initially a cover band performing complex progressive music, they began to immerse themselves in song-writing and develop their own unique style - borne out of a desire to create song arrangements they wanted to hear, but that were never present in the music of their influences.
The band released their eponymously titled EP at the beginning of 2009, not really expecting any reaction: thinking that the music may have been a little left-field in terms of composition. They couldn’t have been more surprised with the response it received. Unaware at the sheer size of the progressive-rock community, the EP received incredible reviews, with the band being considered “a refreshing approach to the contemporary prog music scene”.
The sheer originality of the music was greeted with delight and not the reproach initially feared, with ‘imaginative’ and ‘original’ frequently used to describe the band – two words that Godsticks are proud to be associated with.
It was fortunate that the CD was released at a time when progressive music was beginning to experience a revived interest. They featured on the CD of the very first edition of ‘Classic Rock Presents Prog’ in March 2009 and continue to enjoy a great relationship with the progressive community. 2009 culminated in the band being voted in the top 5 best new bands in the inaugural ‘Classic Rock Presents Prog’ poll.
In July 2010, the band released their debut album ‘Spiral Vendetta’ – the culmination of 16 months of writing, 4 months of rehearsal, and 2 months in the studio – it was worth the effort with the results already being described as ‘mesmerising’. The very first review of the album eloquently sums up both the album and band:
"Spiral Vendetta has it all in spades with chops, emotion, musicality and imagination, the songs pack a breathtaking amount into concise pieces and the album in no way outstays its welcome."
