View source for Godspeed You! Black Emperor

{{short description|Canadian post-rock band}}
{{For|the film|God Speed You! Black Emperor{{!}}''God Speed You! Black Emperor''}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2017}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=November 2014}}
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
| name              = Godspeed You! Black Emperor
| image             = Godspeed_You!_Black_Emperor_@_Roadburn_Festival_2018-04-21_003.jpg
| caption           = Godspeed You! Black Emperor performing live at [[Roadburn Festival]] in 2018
| landscape         = yes
| alias             = {{hlist|Godspeed You Black Emperor!|Godspeed|GY!BE|God's Pee|Pee'd Emp'ror}}
| origin            = [[Montreal]], [[Quebec]], Canada
| genre             = {{hlist|[[Post-rock]]|[[drone music|drone]]}}
| discography       = [[Godspeed You! Black Emperor discography]]
| years_active      = {{hlist|1994–2003|2010–present}}
| label             = {{hlist|[[Constellation Records (Canada)|Constellation]]|[[Kranky (record label)|Kranky]]}}
| website           = {{URL|https://brainwashed.com/godspeed/}}
| current_members   = *[[Efrim Menuck]]
*[[Mauro Pezzente]]
*[[Mike Moya]]
*[[Sophie Trudeau (musician)|Sophie Trudeau]]
*[[Thierry Amar]]
*[[David Bryant (musician)|David Bryant]]
*[[Karl Lemieux]]
*[[Aidan Girt]]
*Tim Herzog
*Philippe Léonard
| past_members      = *Mark Littlefair
*Thea Pratt
*Bruce Cawdron
*Norsola Johnson
*Roger Tellier-Craig
*Grayson Walker
*Christophe Comte
*Fluffy Erskine
}}

'''Godspeed You! Black Emperor''' (sometimes abbreviated to '''GY!BE''' or '''Godspeed''')<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/164159-noted-and-notable-2495807397.html|title=Noted and Notable: New GY!BE and More, PopMatters|first=Stuart|last=Henderson|website=Popmatters.com|date=October 11, 2012|accessdate=May 18, 2021|archive-date=June 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624205318/https://www.popmatters.com/164159-noted-and-notable-2495807397.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cstrecords.com/pages/godspeed-you-black-emperor|title=Godspeed You! Black Emperor|website=Cstrecords.com|access-date=May 18, 2021|archive-date=June 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210621075247/https://cstrecords.com/pages/godspeed-you-black-emperor|url-status=live}}</ref> is a Canadian [[post-rock]] collective that originated in [[Montreal]], [[Quebec]] in 1994. The group releases recordings through [[Constellation Records (Canada)|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.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Greer |first1=Nick |title=Top 100 Albums of the Decade |url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/blog/2010/06/11/top-100-albums-of-the-decade-10-1/ |website=Sputnikmusic |access-date=28 July 2019 |date=11 June 2010 |archive-date=February 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228221517/https://www.sputnikmusic.com/blog/2010/06/11/top-100-albums-of-the-decade-10-1/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Then, 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.<ref name="nmemis">{{cite web |title=Godspeed You! Black Emperor quit over Iraq |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/godspeed-you-black-emperor-12-1329786 |date=February 9, 2008|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624205643/https://www.nme.com/news/music/godspeed-you-black-emperor-12-1329786 |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |access-date=February 17, 2008 |publisher=NME}}</ref><ref name="pitchforkhiatus">{{cite web |last=Phillips |first=Amy |date=February 11, 2008 |title=Godspeed Still on Hiatus, Not Completely Broken Up |url=http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/48600-godspeed-still-on-hiatus-not-completely-broken-up |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080212174307/http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/48600-godspeed-still-on-hiatus-not-completely-broken-up |archive-date=February 12, 2008 |access-date=October 8, 2009 |website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thekey.xpn.org/2013/09/16/just-announced-post-rock-cult-faves-godspeed-you-black-emperor-headlining-union-transfer/ |title=Just Announced: Post-rock cult faves Godspeed You! Black Emperor headlining Union Transfer &#124; The Key |publisher=Thekey.xpn.org |date=September 16, 2013 |access-date=April 18, 2014 |archive-date=September 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908201444/http://thekey.xpn.org/2013/09/16/just-announced-post-rock-cult-faves-godspeed-you-black-emperor-headlining-union-transfer/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Andre Paine |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/goingout/music/godspeed-you-black-emperor-o2-academy-brixton--music-review-8957052.html |title=Godspeed You! Black Emperor, O2 Academy Brixton – music review – Music – Going Out – London Evening Standard |publisher=Standard.co.uk |date=November 22, 2013 |access-date=April 18, 2014 |archive-date=February 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222204318/http://www.standard.co.uk/goingout/music/godspeed-you-black-emperor-o2-academy-brixton--music-review-8957052.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Dominique|first=Gabrielle |url=http://www.cmj.com/news/stream-godspeed-you-black-emperors-first-album-in-10-years/ |title=Listen To The New Godspeed You! Black Emperor LP |publisher=Cmj.com |date=October 8, 2012|access-date=April 18, 2014 |archive-date=February 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222062011/http://www.cmj.com/news/stream-godspeed-you-black-emperors-first-album-in-10-years/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://hangout.altsounds.com/reviews/153386-review-godspeed-black-emperor-allelujah-bend-ascend.html |title=Review: Godspeed You! Black Emperor – Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend! |publisher=Hangout.altsounds.com |access-date=April 18, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130318152256/http://hangout.altsounds.com/reviews/153386-review-godspeed-black-emperor-allelujah-bend-ascend.html |archive-date=March 18, 2013 }}</ref> Their music, mainly instrumental in nature, has been noted for its contrasts between ambient soundscapes and chaotic [[crescendo|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 project]]s, including [[Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra-La-La Band]], [[Fly Pan Am]], [[Hrsta]], [[Esmerine]], and [[Set Fire to Flames]].

==History==

=== First run (1994–2003) ===
Godspeed You! Black Emperor was formed in 1994 in [[Montreal]], [[Quebec]], by [[Efrim Menuck]] ([[Electric guitar|guitar]]), [[Mike Moya]] (guitar), and [[Mauro Pezzente]] ([[Bass guitar|bass]]).<ref name="Wire">{{cite web|url=http://www.brainwashed.com/godspeed/wire.html|title=Interview in The Wire|year=1998|author=David Keenan|access-date=May 27, 2011|archive-date=April 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150417150659/http://www.brainwashed.com/godspeed/wire.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Larkin2011">Colin Larkin. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=_NNmFiUnSmUC&pg=PA1439 The Encyclopedia of Popular Music] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004150344/https://books.google.com/books?id=_NNmFiUnSmUC&pg=PA1439#v=onepage&q&f=false |date=October 4, 2023 }}''. Omnibus Press; 27 May 2011. {{ISBN|978-0-85712-595-8}}. p. 1439.</ref> The band took its name from ''[[God Speed You! Black Emperor]]'', a 1976 Japanese [[black-and-white]] [[Documentary film|documentary]] by director [[Mitsuo Yanagimachi]], which follows the exploits of a [[Bōsōzoku|Japanese biker gang]], the Black Emperors.<ref name="Wire" /> The band initially assembled after being offered a supporting act for another local band named Steak 72.<ref name="wire2">{{cite web|url=http://brainwashed.com/godspeed/wire2.html|title=Godspeed You Black Emperor! interview with ''The Wire''|access-date=February 24, 2009|year=2000|author=Keenan, David|work=brainwashed.com|archive-date=April 19, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150419174954/http://www.brainwashed.com/godspeed/wire2.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Thereafter, the trio performed live on a few separate occasions. Previously, the name "God Speed You Black Emperor!" had been used by Menuck on a limited cassette entitled ''[[All Lights Fucked on the Hairy Amp Drooling]]'' that had been recorded the year prior, with limited contributions by Pezzente on bass, although it would not be until 1994 that the actual band formed. 

The band expanded and continued to perform live. According to Menuck, joining the group was simple: "It was like if anyone knew anybody who played an instrument and seemed like an okay person, they would sort of join up."<ref name="brainwashed1">{{cite web|url=http://brainwashed.com/godspeed/deadmetheney/interviews/amazeine.htm|title=Godspeed You! Black Emperor interview with ''aMAZEzine!''|access-date=February 14, 2009|year=1998|author=St-Jacques, Marie-Douche|work=aMAZEzine|archive-date=March 9, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090309193447/http://www.brainwashed.com/godspeed/deadmetheney/interviews/amazeine.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The group's number of members frequently changed during this time. Local musicians would often join the band for a handful of performances, then depart. The revolving door nature of the group's membership frequently caused it strain before the release of ''[[F♯ A♯ ∞]]''.<ref name="brainwashed1" /> After that release, the group stabilized around a nine-person lineup with Menuck, Moya and [[David Bryant (musician)|David Bryant]] on guitars, Pezzente and Thierry Amar on bass guitars, Aidan Girt and Bruce Cawdron on drums, and Sophie Trudeau and Norsola Johnson on violin and cello respectively. Moya would depart in 1998 to focus on [[HṚṢṬA]], being replaced by Roger Tellier-Craig of [[Fly Pan Am]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Godspeed You ! Black Emperor en concert en France : Tournée 2015|url=https://www.evous.fr/Godspeed-You-Black-Emperor-en-concert-en-France-1135503.html|website=evous|date=April 23, 2015|access-date=October 31, 2017|archive-date=November 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107005644/https://www.evous.fr/Godspeed-You-Black-Emperor-en-concert-en-France-1135503.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Tellier-Craig left in 2004 to devote more time to Fly Pan Am.<ref>{{cite web |date=August 23, 2012 |title=Former Godspeed You! Black Emperor guitarist preps new cassette |url=http://www.factmag.com/2012/08/23/former-godspeed-you-black-emperor-guitarist-preps-new-cassette/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170529093656/http://www.factmag.com/2012/08/23/former-godspeed-you-black-emperor-guitarist-preps-new-cassette/ |archive-date=May 29, 2017 |access-date=October 31, 2017 |website=Fact Mag}}</ref> In 2002, the band released their third album ''[[Yanqui U.X.O.]]'', which was recorded in [[Chicago]] and engineered by [[Steve Albini]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Richardson |first=Mark |date=2010-04-23 |title=Back on the Rails: Seven Thoughts on the Return of Godspeed You! Black Emperor |url=https://pitchfork.com/features/resonant-frequency/7796-resonant-frequency-69/ |access-date=2024-09-02 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}</ref>

The group was once misconstrued as being a band of [[terrorists]].<ref name="cstimages">{{cite web|url=http://cstrecords.com/cst_images/gybeimages_web.jpg |title=Godspeed You! Black Emperor Collage |access-date=November 26, 2006 |author1=Steve Biehr |author2=Marion Bornas |author3=Stefan Claudius |format=jpg |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927191401/http://cstrecords.com/cst_images/gybeimages_web.jpg |archive-date=September 27, 2007 }}</ref><ref name="ardmoreite">{{cite news|url=http://ardmoreite.com/stories/031603/loc_band_release.shtml |title=Band Members Released After Terrorist Report|access-date=November 26, 2006|newspaper=The Daily Ardmoreite|author=Biehr, Steve |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20050208194407/http://ardmoreite.com/stories/031603/loc_band_release.shtml |archive-date = February 8, 2005}}</ref> After stopping at a local gas station for fuel in the town of [[Ardmore, Oklahoma]], during their 2003 tour of the United States, the station attendant working that day believed the group of Canadians to be terrorists. She quickly passed a note to another customer asking them to call the police. When the local police appeared, the group was held until it could be questioned by the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]]. Although the police were suspicious of the band's anti-government documents and some photos it had (such as those of oil rigs), they found no incriminating evidence. After [[background check]]s were run, the ensemble was released from custody and continued on its way to its next show in [[St. Louis, MO|Saint Louis]]. [[Efrim Menuck]] later spoke to the crowd during their appearance in Missouri about what happened to them and speculated that their origin was a motive for being released quickly ("It's a good thing we're nice white kids from Canada").<ref name="2003-03-16">{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/gybe2003-03-16.shn|title=Godspeed You Black Emperor! at Mississippi Nights (2003-03-16)|access-date=December 24, 2006|publisher=Internet Archive|year=2003|author=Godspeed You Black Emperor!|work=Live Music Archive|format=shn}}</ref> The incident was mentioned in [[Michael Moore]]'s book ''[[Dude, Where's My Country?]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Five Noteworthy Facts You May Not Know About Godspeed You! Black Emperor|url=http://exclaim.ca/music/article/five_noteworthy_facts_you_may_not_know_about_godspeed_you_black_emperor|website=Exclaim|date=April 23, 2015|access-date=October 31, 2017|archive-date=November 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107014517/http://exclaim.ca/music/article/five_noteworthy_facts_you_may_not_know_about_godspeed_you_black_emperor|url-status=live}}</ref>

In July 2003, Constellation Records posted a note on their website reading: "godspeed will be on hiatus for the better part of a year, while the band members work on their many other projects".<ref name=":1" />

=== Reunion (2010–present) ===
On April 9, 2010, the band announced it was reuniting for an [[All Tomorrow's Parties (music festival)|All Tomorrow's Parties]] music event in the UK as well as further US dates.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Godspeed You! Black Emperor to curate Nightmare Before Christmas, December 2010! - On Sale Now |url=https://www.atpfestival.com/recordings/news/view/1004090900|access-date=2024-09-02 |website=All Tomorrow's Parties |language=en}}</ref> "after a decade's retreat, god's pee has decided to roll again", read the statement.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Godspeed You ! Black Emperor to curate The Nightmare Before Christmas |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/latest-news/godspeed-you-black-emperor-to-curate-the-nightmare-before-christmas-27294 |date=April 9, 2010|access-date=2024-09-02 |website=The Line of Best Fit |language=en-US}}</ref> Mike Moya re-joined the band for the reunion, while original cellist Norsola Johnson declined to participate. The band played a full North American and European tour in 2011, and more dates in the UK including an appearance at the ATP '[[All Tomorrow's Parties (music festival)|I'll Be Your Mirror]]' music festival in London.

The following year, the band appeared at the [[Pitchfork Music Festival]] in Chicago, [[Coachella (festival)|Coachella]] in California, and the [[All Tomorrow's Parties (festival)|All Tomorrow's Parties]] I'll Be Your Mirror festival in New York.<ref name="atpibym2012">{{cite web |url=http://www.atpfestival.com/events/ibymusa2012.php |title=I'll Be Your Mirror USA 2012 curated by Greg Dulli & ATP – All Tomorrow's Parties |publisher=Atpfestival.com |access-date=April 18, 2014 |archive-date=April 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140412165414/http://www.atpfestival.com/events/ibymusa2012.php |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Pelly |first=Jenn |date=2012-01-09 |title=Coachella Announces Lineup |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/44978-coachella-announces-lineup/ |access-date=2024-02-28 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}</ref> Drummer Timothy Herzog began touring with the band after the departure of Bruce Cawdron.

{{quote box |align=right |salign=right |width=33% |author=– Godspeed You! Black Emperor, in response to winning the [[2013 Polaris Music Prize]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Statement from Godspeed You! Black Emperor on Polaris|url=http://cstrecords.com/statement-from-godspeed-you-black-emperor-on-polaris/|publisher=[[Constellation Records (Canada)|Constellation Records]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130925144621/http://cstrecords.com/statement-from-godspeed-you-black-emperor-on-polaris/|archive-date=September 25, 2013|df=mdy-all}}</ref> |quote="3 quick bullet-points that almost anybody could agree on maybe=

-holding a gala during a time of austerity and normalized decline is a weird thing to do.

-organizing a gala just so musicians can compete against each other for a novelty-sized cheque doesn’t serve the cause of righteous music at all.

-asking the toyota motor company to help cover the tab for that gala, during a summer where the melting northern ice caps are live-streaming on the internet, IS FUCKING INSANE, and comes across as tone-deaf to the current horrifying malaise."}}

In 2013, the band won the [[Polaris Music Prize]] for their fourth album ''[['Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend!]]'', but it criticized the cost of the ceremony during the time of [[austerity]], stating, "Maybe the next celebration should happen in a cruddier hall, without the corporate banners and culture overlords."<ref name="Polaris">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-24231672 |title=Godspeed You! Black Emperor criticise Polaris prize |access-date=September 25, 2013 |newspaper=BBC News |date=September 24, 2013 |archive-date=September 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130924191414/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-24231672 |url-status=live }}</ref> The band's fifth album ''[[Asunder, Sweet and Other Distress]]'' was released on March 31, 2015, and the sixth album ''[[Luciferian Towers]]'' came out on September 22, 2017.

In August 2019, the band played new songs tentatively titled "Glaciers" and "Cliff".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-08-26 |title=Concert Review: Godspeed You! Black Emperor/Marisa Anderson |url=https://spectrumculture.com/2019/08/25/concert-review-godspeed-you-black-emperor-marisa-anderson/ |access-date=2024-09-02 |website=Spectrum Culture |language=en-US}}</ref> They would appear on the band's seventh album ''[[G_d's Pee at State's End!]],'' which was released on April 2, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Godspeed You! Black Emperor – G_d's Pee AT STATE'S END! |url=http://cstrecords.com/products/godspeed-you-black-emperor-g_d-s-pee-at-state-s-end/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303155137/http://cstrecords.com/products/godspeed-you-black-emperor-g_d-s-pee-at-state-s-end/ |archive-date=March 3, 2021 |access-date=2021-03-03 |website=Constellation |language=en-US}}</ref>

In February 2022, a copy of ''[[All Lights Fucked on the Hairy Amp Drooling]]'' was posted to [[4chan]]'s music board, [[/mu/]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bobkin |first=Matt |date=February 4, 2022 |title=Did Godspeed You! Black Emperor's Long-Lost Cassette Finally Leak? |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/godspeed_you_black_emperor_all_lights_fucked_hairy_amp_drooling_2022_leak |access-date=February 4, 2022 |website=[[Exclaim!]] |archive-date=February 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204234222/https://exclaim.ca/music/article/godspeed_you_black_emperor_all_lights_fucked_hairy_amp_drooling_2022_leak |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2022-02-05|title=Godspeed You! Black Emperor's Lost Debut Album Appears To Surface Online After 27 Years|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2175137/godspeed-you-black-emperors-lost-debut-album-appears-to-surface-online-after-27-years/news/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=[[Stereogum]]|language=en|archive-date=August 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220801223716/https://www.stereogum.com/2175137/godspeed-you-black-emperors-lost-debut-album-appears-to-surface-online-after-27-years/news/|url-status=live}}</ref> The band eventually uploaded the full audio of the tape to its official [[Bandcamp]] page on February 14.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://godspeedyoublackemperor.bandcamp.com/album/all-lights-fucked-on-the-hairy-amp-drooling | title=All lights fucked on the hairy amp drooling, by Godspeed You! Black Emperor | access-date=February 14, 2022 | archive-date=February 15, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215003528/https://godspeedyoublackemperor.bandcamp.com/album/all-lights-fucked-on-the-hairy-amp-drooling | url-status=live }}</ref>

On February 24, 2024, the band debuted three new untitled songs at the [[Knockdown Center]] in [[New York City]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pearis |first=Bill |title=Godspeed You! Black Emperor debuted 3 new songs at tour kickoff at Knockdown Center (listen ++ pics, 2024 dates) |url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/godspeed-you-black-emperor-debuted-3-new-songs-at-tour-kickoff-at-knockdown-center-listen-pics-2024-dates/ |access-date=2024-02-28 |website=BrooklynVegan |language=en-US}}</ref> On August 28, 2024, the band announced its eighth album, ''[[No Title as of 13 February 2024 28,340 Dead]]'', supported by the lead single "Grey Rubble – Green Shoots".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Strauss |first=Matthew |date=2024-08-28 |title=Godspeed You! Black Emperor Announce New Album "No Title As of 13 February 2024 28,340 Dead", Share Song |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/godspeed-you-black-emperor-announce-new-album-no-title-as-of-13-february-2024-28340-dead-share-song-listen/ |access-date=2024-09-02 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}</ref> Its title references the death toll of Palestinians in the [[Gaza Strip]] during the [[Gaza war]] at the time of the album's conception.<ref name=":2">{{cite web |last1=LaPierre |first1=Megan |title=Godspeed You! Black Emperor Announce New Album '"NO TITLE AS OF 13 FEBRUARY 2024 28,340 DEAD"' |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/there-appears-to-be-a-new-godspeed-you-black-emperor-album |website=Exclaim |access-date=28 August 2024}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Berman |first=Stuart |title=Godspeed You! Black Emperor: "NO TITLE AS OF 13 FEBRUARY 2024 28,340 DEAD" |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/godspeed-you-black-emperor-no-title-as-of-13-february-2024/ |access-date=2024-10-22 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}</ref>

In August 2025, the band removed most of their discography from major streaming services, including [[Spotify]], [[Tidal (service)|Tidal]], and [[Deezer]]. Their two albums released through [[Kranky (record label)|Kranky]]—''[[F♯ A♯ ∞]]'' (1998) and ''[[Lift Your Skinny Fists like Antennas to Heaven|Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven]]'' (2000)—remained temporarily available on [[Apple Music]] but were scheduled for removal. A representative for Kranky stated that the label allows artists to determine how their music is distributed. The band's catalog continued to be available for purchase and streaming through [[Bandcamp]]. The decision followed similar actions taken by [[Deerhoof]], [[Xiu Xiu]], and [[King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard]], who had withdrawn their music from Spotify earlier in 2025. Those groups cited concerns regarding investments made by Spotify chief executive officer [[Daniel Ek]] through his fund Prima Materia, which has financed [[Helsing (company)|Helsing]], a defense company developing artificial intelligence software for military applications.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Green |first=Walden |date=2025-08-17 |title=Godspeed You! Black Emperor Remove Music From Streaming Services |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/godspeed-you-black-emperor-remove-music-from-streaming-services/ |access-date=2025-08-17 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Abby |date=2025-08-17 |title=Godspeed You! Black Emperor Pull Music From Streaming Services |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2319616/godspeed-you-black-emperor-pull-music-from-streaming-services/ |website=Stereogum}}</ref>

==Live concerts==
[[File:Godspeed You Black Emperor! - London Nov 20003.jpg|thumb|The band performing in London in 2000]]
Film loop projections are an important aspect of the group's live performances, explained by [[Efrim Menuck]] as "[putting] the whole into context".<ref name="oorinterview">{{cite web|url=http://brainwashed.com/godspeed/oor.html|title=Interview with Godspeed You Black Emperor!|access-date=December 24, 2006|publisher=OOR|year=2001|author=Visser, Menno|work=OOR Magazine|archive-date=December 12, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061212043959/http://www.brainwashed.com/godspeed/oor.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The band is [[Bootleg recording|taper]]-friendly; they allow audience members to record their live performances, and fans often release new material before the band makes an official recording.<ref name="archive1">{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/gybe2003-05-14.shnf|title=Godspeed You Black Emperor! at L'Olympic (2003-05-14)|access-date=December 17, 2006|publisher=Internet Archive|year=2003|author=Godspeed You Black Emperor!|work=Live Music Archive|format=shnf}}</ref>

The band toured Australia and New Zealand for the first time in February 2013, including a performance at the [[All Tomorrow's Parties (music festival)|All Tomorrow's Parties]] I'll Be Your Mirror festival in Melbourne. They toured China for the first time in April 2013, giving performances in Shanghai and Beijing,<ref>{{cite web|title=Godspeed You! Black Emperor China Tour|url=http://www.spli-t.com/gybe/en/|website=Spli-t|date=April 1, 2013|access-date=October 31, 2017|archive-date=March 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150308004827/http://www.spli-t.com/gybe/en/|url-status=live}}</ref> and revisited China in March 2016.<ref>{{cite web |title=Godspeed You! Black Emperor |url=http://www.smartshanghai.com/wire/music/incoming-godspeed-you-black-emperor |website=Smart Shanghai |date=December 7, 2015 |access-date=October 31, 2017 |archive-date=November 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107022920/http://www.smartshanghai.com/wire/music/incoming-godspeed-you-black-emperor |url-status=live }}</ref>

The band supported [[Nine Inch Nails]] on its [[Twenty Thirteen Tour|Tension tour]] in October 2013.<ref name="nintour">{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/51053-nine-inch-nails-announce-massive-tour-with-godspeed-you-black-emperor/|title=Nine Inch Nails Announce Massive Tour With Godspeed You! Black Emperor|access-date=June 6, 2013|year=2013|author=Minsker, Evan|work=Pitchfork|archive-date=June 8, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130608172439/http://pitchfork.com/news/51053-nine-inch-nails-announce-massive-tour-with-godspeed-you-black-emperor/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2015 and 2016, the band performed numerous concert and festival shows around the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.setlist.fm/setlists/godspeed-you-black-emperor-63d69a73.html|title=Godspeed You! Black Emperor Concert Setlists|website=setlist.fm|access-date=October 31, 2017|archive-date=August 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801195136/https://www.setlist.fm/setlists/godspeed-you-black-emperor-63d69a73.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Two new songs were previewed in many of the shows picking up the fan titles "Buildings" and "Railroads" from the projections that accompanied them. The band also lent live performances of their songs to a revival of the 2005 work "monumental" by Canadian dance troupe [[Holy Body Tattoo]] in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bam.org/dance/2016/monumental|title=monumental|website=BAM.org|access-date=October 31, 2017|archive-date=August 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801113721/http://www.bam.org/dance/2016/monumental|url-status=live}}</ref>

The band is set to perform in ten countries across Europe and North America in 2024 and 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Godspeed You! Black Emperor |url=https://cstrecords.com/pages/godspeed-you-black-emperor?shpxid=46b055c5-1d2f-4995-a72a-809517ab42b8 |access-date=2024-08-15 |website=Constellation |language=en}}</ref>

== Politics ==
''[[The Guardian]]'' wrote that Godspeed You! Black Emperor "don't simply espouse [[anti-capitalism]] but embody it, rejecting the selfish individualism at its core", pointing out how the band's operation as a collective challenges traditional notions of hierarchy. In a 2012 interview, Menuck said, "All music is political, right? You either make music that pleases the king and his court, or you make music for the serfs outside the walls ... We started making this noise together when we were young and broke. Whatever politics we had were born out of living through a time when the dominant narrative was that everything was fine."<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Costa |first=Maddy |date=2012-10-11 |title=Godspeed You! Black Emperor: 'You make music for the king and his court, or for the serfs outside the walls' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/oct/11/godspeed-you-black-emperor-interview |access-date=2024-02-28 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Several of its songs also incorporate voice samples which express political sentiments, most notably "The Dead Flag Blues" (on ''F♯ A♯ ∞'') and "BBF3" (on ''[[Slow Riot for New Zerø Kanada]]'').

In 2014, Menuck identified himself as an [[Anarchism|anarchist]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Rubsam |first=Rob |date=April 2014 |title=The Rumpus Interview with Efrim Menuck |url=http://therumpus.net/2014/04/the-rumpus-interview-with-efrim-menuck/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140525232305/http://therumpus.net/2014/04/the-rumpus-interview-with-efrim-menuck/ |archive-date=May 25, 2014 |access-date=May 25, 2014 |publisher=The Rumpus}}</ref> This perspective has influenced the band's political activism.<ref>{{cite web |last=Richardson |first=Mark |title="Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend!" Review |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/17283-allelujah-dont-bend-ascend/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140520031951/http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/17283-allelujah-dont-bend-ascend/? |archive-date=May 20, 2014 |access-date=May 6, 2014 |publisher=Pitchfork.com}}</ref> The back cover of ''[[Yanqui U.X.O.]]'' depicts the relationships of several [[Music industry#Sales statistics|major record labels]] to the [[military–industrial complex]].<ref>{{cite web |date=May 25, 2007 |title=EMI Defies Fate as Predicted on Godspeed You! Black Emperor's Yanqui U.X.O., Bought Out By Terra Firma for $4.7 Billion; Sorry Warner Music Group |url=https://www.tinymixtapes.com/news/emi-defies-fate-predicted-godspeed-you-black-emperors-yanqui-uxo-bought-out-te |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107012432/https://www.tinymixtapes.com/news/emi-defies-fate-predicted-godspeed-you-black-emperors-yanqui-uxo-bought-out-te |archive-date=November 7, 2017 |access-date=October 31, 2017 |website=Tiny Mix Tapes}}</ref> The liner notes of [['Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend!|''<nowiki/>'Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend!'']] criticize anti-environmentalist economic development and student protest suppression.<ref name=":0" /> 

Menuck is a vocal critic of Israeli policy towards Palestinians.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Christopher J. |title=Can There Be a Guernica for Gaza? |url=https://jacobin.com/2024/11/godspeed-you-black-emperor-gaza |access-date=2025-01-02 |website=Jacobin |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mitchell |first=Paul |date=2008-03-06 |title=A Silver Mt. Zion: Hi, How Are You, Efrim Menuck? |url=https://www.theskinny.co.uk/music/interviews/a-silver-mt-zion-hi-how-are-you-efrim-menuck |access-date=2025-01-02 |website=The Skinny |language=en}}</ref> The [[liner notes]] to ''[[Yanqui U.X.O.]]'' (2002) describe the song "09-15-00" as "[[Ariel Sharon]] surrounded by 1,000 [[Israel Defense Forces|Israeli soldiers]] marching on [[Temple Mount|al-Haram Ash-Sharif]] & provoking another [[Second Intifada|Intifada]]".<ref>{{cite web |date=June 25, 2013 |title=Godspeed You! Black Emperor, 'Yanqui U.X.O.' (Constellation) |url=https://www.spin.com/2003/06/godspeed-you-black-emperor-yanqui-uxo-constellation/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107022355/https://www.spin.com/2003/06/godspeed-you-black-emperor-yanqui-uxo-constellation/ |archive-date=November 7, 2017 |access-date=October 31, 2017 |website=Spin}}</ref> The title of ''[[No Title as of 13 February 2024 28,340 Dead]]'' references the death toll of Palestinians in the [[Gaza Strip]] during the [[Gaza war]] at the time of the album's conception.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /> In 2021, the band joined more than 600 other musicians in pledging to [[Boycotts of Israel|boycott Israel]] until it ends its occupation of Palestinian territories.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-05-28 |title=More than 600 musicians sign letter pledging to boycott Israel |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israel-boycott-musicians-pledge-stand-solidarity-palestine |access-date=2025-01-02 |website=Middle East Eye |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last= |first= |date=2021-05-27 |title=Questlove, Run the Jewels, Rage Against the Machine & More Urge Artists to Boycott Israel in Open Letter |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/israel-boycott-artists-open-letter-palestine-9579426/ |access-date=2025-01-02 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Members==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
'''Current'''
* [[Efrim Menuck]] – guitar, [[tape loops]], keyboards {{small|(1994–2003, 2010–present)}}
* [[Mauro Pezzente]] – bass guitar {{small|(1994–2003, 2010–present)}}
* [[Mike Moya]] – guitar {{small|(1994–1998, 2010–present)}}
* [[Thierry Amar]] – double bass, bass guitar {{small|(1997–2003, 2010–present)}}
* [[David Bryant (musician)|David Bryant]] – guitar, tape loops, synthesizer {{small|(1997–2003, 2010–present)}}
* [[Aidan Girt]] – drums, percussion {{small|(1997–2003, 2010–present)}}
* [[Sophie Trudeau (musician)|Sophie Trudeau]] – violin {{small|(1997–2003, 2010–present)}}
* [[Karl Lemieux]] – [[film projection]]s {{small|(2010–present)}}
* Timothy Herzog – drums, percussion {{small|(2012–present)}}
* Philippe Léonard – [[film projection]]s {{small|(2015–present)}}
{{col-2}}
'''Former'''
* Thea Pratt – [[French horn]] {{small|(1995–1997)}}
* [[Dano LeBlanc]] – drums {{small|(1995; died 2023)}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Dano LeBlanc obituary |url=https://funerairepassagefuneral.ca/en/daniel-omer-dano-leblanc/ |website=Passage Funeral Cooperative |access-date=8 February 2025}}</ref>
* Jesse Pratt – violin {{small|(before 1997)}}
* Bruce Cawdron – drums, percussion  {{small|(1997–2003, 2010–2012)}}
* Norsola Johnson – cello {{small|(1997–2003)}}
* Grayson Walker<ref name="mirror1">{{cite web |url=http://www.montrealmirror.com/ARCHIVES/2003/082103/music4.html |title=Easy Being Green: Frog Eyes Whip Up a Colourful Cabaret |access-date=April 8, 2009 |publisher=Montreal Mirror |year=2003 |author=Carpenter, Lorraine |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090816172436/http://www.montrealmirror.com/ARCHIVES/2003/082103/music4.html |archive-date=August 16, 2009 }}</ref> – [[accordion]] {{small|(1997)}}
* Christophe Comte – violin {{small|(1997; died 2023)}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Christophe Comte Obituary |url=https://mountroyalcem.com/obituary/10076-christophe-comte/#/ |website=Mount Royal Commemorative Services |access-date=8 February 2025}}</ref>
* Roger Tellier-Craig – guitar {{small|(1998–2003)}}
* Flux Lux (Ken Doolittle, Debby Salvador) – film projections {{small|(1996–1997)}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Hors du Plateau, une salle non conformiste |publisher=La presse |author=Ben Saâdoune, Mora |year=1997 |url=https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/2183407?docsearchtext=flux%20lux |website=BAnQ numérique |access-date=7 November 2025}}</ref>
* Lee Schnaiberg – film projections {{small|(1997–1998)}}
* Mark Littlefair – film projections {{small|(1998–2000)}}
* Jean-Sébastian Truchy – film projections {{small|(2000-2002)}}
* Fluffy Erskine – film projections {{small|(2003)}}
{{col-end}}
'''Timeline'''
<div class="left">
{{#tag:timeline|
ImageSize = width:900 height:auto barincrement:20
PlotArea = left:95 bottom:95 top:0 right:10
Alignbars = justify
DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy
Period = from:01/01/1994 till:{{#time:m/d/Y}}
TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy
Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:4
ScaleMajor = increment:2 start:1994
ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1995

Colors =
 id:guitar   value:green         legend:Guitar
 id:keys     value:purple        legend:Keyboards
 id:violin   value:drabgreen     legend:Violin
 id:bass     value:blue          legend:Bass_guitar
 id:double   value:darkblue      legend:Double_bass
 id:drums    value:orange        legend:Drums,_percussion
 id:cello    value:skyblue       legend:Cello	
 id:french   value:yelloworange  legend:French_horn
 id:films    value:gray(0.4)	 legend:Film_projections
 id:acc      value:lightpurple   legend:Accordion
 id:Lines1   value:black         legend:Studio_album
 id:Lines2   value:gray(0.80)    legend:Other_release
 id:bars     value:gray(0.95)

BackgroundColors = bars:bars

LineData =
 layer:back
 at:12/01/1994 color:Lines2
 at:08/14/1997 color:Lines1
 at:03/08/1999 color:Lines2
 at:09/12/2000 color:Lines1
 at:11/04/2002 color:Lines1
 at:10/01/2012 color:Lines1
 at:03/31/2015 color:Lines1
 at:09/22/2017 color:Lines1
 at:04/02/2021 color:Lines1
 at:10/04/2024 color:Lines1

BarData =
 bar:Efrim     text:"Efrim Menuck"
 bar:David     text:"David Bryant"
 bar:Mike      text:"Mike Moya"
 bar:Roger     text:"Roger Tellier-Craig"
 bar:Mauro     text:"Mauro Pezzente"
 bar:Thierry   text:"Thierry Amar"
 bar:Aidan     text:"Aidan Girt"
 bar:Bruce     text:"Bruce Cawdron"
 bar:Timothy   text:"Timothy Herzog"
 bar:Sophie    text:"Sophie Trudeau"
 bar:Christophe text:"Christophe Comte"
 bar:Norsola   text:"Norsola Johnson"
 bar:Thea      text:"Thea Pratt"
 bar:Grayson   text:"Grayson Walker"
 bar:Flux      text:"Flux Lux"
 bar:Schnaiberg text:"Lee Schnaiberg"
 bar:Mark      text:"Mark Littlefair"
 bar:Fluffy    text:"Fluffy Erskine"
 bar:Karl      text:"Karl Lemieux"
 bar:Philippe  text:"Philippe Leonard"


PlotData=
 width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4)
 bar:Efrim      from:start      till:06/04/2003 color:guitar
 bar:Efrim      from:12/03/2010 till:end        color:guitar
 bar:Efrim      from:start      till:06/04/2003 color:keys    width:3
 bar:Efrim      from:12/03/2010 till:end        color:keys    width:3
 bar:David      from:01/01/1997 till:06/04/2003 color:guitar
 bar:David      from:12/03/2010 till:end        color:guitar
 bar:David      from:12/03/2010 till:end        color:keys    width:3
 bar:Mike       from:01/01/1995 till:01/01/1999 color:guitar
 bar:Mike       from:12/03/2010 till:end        color:guitar
 bar:Roger      from:01/01/1999 till:06/04/2003 color:guitar
 bar:Sophie     from:01/01/1999 till:06/04/2003 color:violin
 bar:Sophie     from:12/03/2010 till:end        color:violin
 bar:Christophe from:01/01/1997 till:01/01/1998 color:violin
 bar:Mauro      from:start      till:06/04/2003 color:bass
 bar:Mauro      from:12/03/2010 till:end        color:bass 
 bar:Thierry    from:01/01/1997 till:06/04/2003 color:double
 bar:Thierry    from:01/01/1997 till:06/04/2003 color:bass    width:3
 bar:Thierry    from:12/03/2010 till:end        color:double
 bar:Thierry    from:12/03/2010 till:end        color:bass    width:3
 bar:Aidan      from:01/01/1997 till:06/04/2003 color:drums
 bar:Aidan      from:12/03/2010 till:end        color:drums
 bar:Bruce      from:01/01/1997 till:06/04/2003 color:drums
 bar:Bruce      from:12/03/2010 till:04/13/2012 color:drums
 bar:Timothy    from:04/14/2012 till:end        color:drums
 bar:Norsola    from:01/01/1997 till:06/04/2003 color:cello
 bar:Thea       from:06/01/1995 till:12/31/1997 color:french
 bar:Flux       from:01/01/1996 till:02/22/1997 color:films
 bar:Schnaiberg from:02/22/1997 till:01/01/1998 color:films
 bar:Mark       from:01/01/1998 till:06/01/2001 color:films
 bar:Fluffy     from:06/01/2000 till:06/04/2003 color:films
 bar:Karl       from:12/03/2010 till:end        color:films
 bar:Philippe   from:05/03/2015 till:end        color:films
 bar:Grayson    from:01/01/1997 till:12/31/1997 color:acc

}}
</div>

{|
| [[File:Godspeed You Black Emperor! - London Nov 20001.jpg|thumb|200px|upright|alt=Efrim Menuck playing the guitar on his lap|Efrim Menuck]]
| [[File:Godspeed You Black Emperor! - London Nov 20004.jpg|thumb|200px|upright|alt=Mauro Pezzente playing bass guitar|Mauro Pezzente]]
| [[File:Godspeed_You!_Black_Emperor_@_Roadburn_Festival_2018-04-21_004.jpg|thumb|200px|upright|alt=David Bryant playing guitar|David Bryant]]
| [[File:Sophie Trudeau Oct 2012.jpg|thumb|140px|upright|alt=Sophie Trudeau playing the violin|Sophie Trudeau]]
|-
|[[File:Godspeed You! Black Emperor @ Roadburn Festival 2018-04-21 001.jpg|thumb|200px|Mike Moya]]
|
|
|
|}

==Discography==
{{Main|Godspeed You! Black Emperor discography}}

'''Studio albums'''
*''[[F♯ A♯ ∞]]'' (1997)
*''[[Lift Your Skinny Fists like Antennas to Heaven]]'' (2000)
*''[[Yanqui U.X.O.]]'' (2002)
*''[['Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend!]]'' (2012)
*''[[Asunder, Sweet and Other Distress]]'' (2015)
*''[[Luciferian Towers]]'' (2017)
*''[[G_d's Pee at State's End!]]'' (2021)
*''[[No Title as of 13 February 2024 28,340 Dead]]'' (2024)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{wikiquote}}
* {{Official website}}
* [https://cstrecords.com/pages/godspeed-you-black-emperor Godspeed You! Black Emperor] on [[Constellation Records (Canada)|Constellation Records]]
*{{Allmusic}}
* {{Bandcamp}}
*{{Discogs artist}}
*{{MusicBrainz artist}}

{{Godspeed You! Black Emperor|state=expanded}}
{{Portal bar|Music|Canada|Anarchism}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Godspeed You Black Emperor}}
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1994]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2003]]
[[Category:Musical groups reestablished in 2010]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Montreal]]
[[Category:Canadian post-rock groups]]
[[Category:Musical collectives]]
[[Category:Anti-corporate activism]]
[[Category:Constellation Records (Canada) artists]]
[[Category:Polaris Music Prize winners]]
[[Category:1994 establishments in Quebec]]
[[Category:Kranky (record label) artists]]