The latest from this Montreal band arrives per usual like a cryptic, doom-saying tract from an off-the-grid art cult – more or less what it is. Also per usual, it uses low-fi sound bites, neoclassical strings and neometal guitars in long, lyricless pieces that drone and crest spectacularly. During an eight-year hiatus, its approach shaped indie vernacular, from top students Explosions in the Sky to countless art-metal bands and even scene cousins Arcade Fire. Time and apocalyptic evidence have caught up with them. But Godspeed's music remains as deep, angry, tender, ecstatic and uncompromising as ever. 

Listen to 'Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend!'

“Oh Sherrie”

Steve Perry's girlfriend Sherrie Swafford was actually in the studio when Perry began writing this song--his lone Top Ten hit as a solo act--with two co-writers. The trio began at midnight one night with just "Oh, Sherrie!" and "hold on, hold on." Three hours later, they had a complete song. Swafford, however, had to wait until the next day to hear it. "Sherrie actually got tired and went to bed," Perry said. She also appeared in the video, but their relationship did not hold on for long.