With Slavestate, Godflesh sought to diversify their metal-dominated sound by introducing elements of dance music and electronic body music.[2][3] Still, the music retained the harsh guitar and vocals of frontman Justin Broadrick, as well as the extreme aspects of Godflesh.[4] Ira A. Robbins of Trouser Press wrote, "The four-song Slavestate EP finds the band charging full-on into an industrial-dance realm, giving Streetcleaner's lurch-and-crunch the twist of a rhythmic basis."[5] The EP's title track contains a sample of the song "Stakker Humanoid" by Brian Dougans.[2][6]
On Slavestate's shift in style, Broadrick said:
I wanted to use dance elements within the realm of Godflesh. We got some shit from people, but we also accessed a whole new audience [...] All four of our records are different. Now there's the techno audience that likes Slavestate.[7]
Release
Slavestate was initially released as a four-song EP. A three-song remix EP titled Slavestate Remixes saw a limited vinyl release in September that same year.[8] The remixes were later appended to all further issues of Slavestate. The CD release also included the tracks from the follow-up "Slateman" single. In August 2009, Slavestate was reissued as part of a triple-CD package which also included the EP Cold World (1991) and the band's second studio album, Pure (1992).[9]
Slavestate received lukewarm reviews, with the exception of the song "Meltdown", which was singled out as a highlight.[2][4] Ned Raggett of AllMusic appreciated the change in pace from Godflesh's heavy, metal-focused music, but was ultimately unimpressed.[2] Writing for The Quietus, Noel Gardner thought the introduction of electronic and dance elements was clunky but somewhat admirable.[4] Broadrick was disappointed by the EP's contemporary reception, saying it "should have received far more acclaim than it did."[10] In 1997, Metal Hammer retrospectively described the EP as "cutting edge".[11]
