God originally consisted of Kevin Martin on tenor saxophone and vocals and Nigel Armstrong on guitar.[3] The pairing came together after the pair, along with Andy Rendall (Admass) relocated from Weymouth to London, and Fall frontman Mark E. Smith asked Martin if he wanted to contribute to Smith's 1988 Disparate Cognescenti compilation.[4] In late 1988, Martin met Justin Broadrick, whose project Godflesh he had heard on John Peel'sRadio 1 show.[5] Broadrick began working with Martin and served as a producer for God's early releases before joining as a member.