Godflesh was formed in 1988 in Birmingham, England by Justin Broadrick (guitar, vocals, and programming) and Ben Green (bass). They mixed industrial drum machine beats with discordant guitar and depth-charge bass. Although much of their work is inspired by the music of Swans, Big Black, Black Sabbath and, to a lesser extent, Throbbing Gristle, they were one of the first bands to pioneer the sound of industrial rock, influencing the other well known industrial rock bands Ministry, Pitchshifter and Fear Factory. Their music also influenced bands in the sludge scene, most prominently Isis.