Located on the outskirts of Boone, Iowa, hidden in an old warehouse, surrounded by pegboard walls, and buried among towers of speakers is one of the most powerful bands in the Des Moines scene. Godkillgod.

Empty cans and cigarette butts litter the floor, but right now that is of no concern to the band. The only thing that matters is hammering out each song on its set list until it is perfected for the band’s return from the dead show this Saturday at the Rock Island Club.

It wasn’t long ago that the warehouse that has been the group’s headquarters for just over three years was without the constant barrage of the heavy guitars and pulsing electronics of Godkillgod. After a very successful summer and fall, which saw the group receiving attention from record labels, the band abruptly called it quits, much to the dismay of fans across the area.

“I don’t know what happened, I just woke up one day and we didn’t have a band anymore,” guitarist Jay Lyons says with a smile.

According to Godkillgod’s other guitarist, Taco, the main reasons for the breakup were relatively simple, frustration and overreaction.

“I got a little frustrated with the way the band was going at this point. There were certain elements in the band that I wasn’t happy with,” recalls Taco. “I guess I was really overreacting, and just kind of said ‘screw it.'”

But GodKillgod has since regrouped and is back for more with the addition of DJ Destrukt and former Junk Poet drummer Greg Strauvers to the lineup of previously existing members that include vocalist Graham Jennings, bassist Cornbread, and guitarists Taco and Jay, the band looks to be as strong as ever. Taco even goes as far as to say that in terms of tightness, Greg might be the best drummer in Des Moines.

DJ Destrukt is the one member missing from tonight’s practice session but with good reason — he’s at home in Canada. Taco met Destrukt via an online Ensoniq Asr-X discussion list, and they work together by uploading and downloading on the Internet. Taco and Destrukt handle all the programming and sampling for the group.

“Thank God for the Internet because we wouldn’t have such a creative member without it,” says Taco.

Sampling and electronics are a big part of Godkillgod’s repertoire of music. The group takes great pride in its ability to fuse all kinds of different elements into its metal-based music. And when it comes to influences among members, a virtual tornado of styles is the only way to describe the vast variety of styles that come into play.

Jimi Hendrix, Pantera, Crash Alley, David Bowie, Duran Duran,and Trent Reznor are just a few of the group’s wide variety of influences.

“I would say my influences could go anywhere from ’50s music all the way up to now,” comments lead singer Graham. “I try to incorporate anything I hear into what I do as well as try to be original.”

Jay can sum up his influences with an even broader range.

“When people ask me what influences me, now I want to say anything that is sound. You can turn anything into music,” says the former Junk Poet guitarist.

Watching the band practice as it grinds through its set for Saturday’s show, it’s obvious that Godkillgod isn’t just another “metal” band. The group pushes the limits, and tries to not write songs based around heaviness alone. Each member is becoming more focused on the electronic aspect of the music, but don’t expect Fatboy Slim.

Judging by the new material the band is in the process of rehearsing, the heavy guitar and powerful vocals are still there, but plenty of electronic groove is mixed in.

“We try to write music that really isn’t about just being that word — that h word — heavy,” says Taco.

Graham adds, “We’re not even necessarily one particular genre of music. We try to attract every type of person.”

Attracting fans after its period of hiatus shouldn’t be that much of a problem for the band. Before the breakup, the band had gained major momentum by playing at both of Mancow’s Lazer Luaus, and it opened for 35″ Mudder at Mudder’s label showcase last fall.

A constant buzz is growing through the scene as to what the band will be like for its return. But the group is quite confident that the fan following will still be there.

“There’s all these rumors out there like that we’re going to be like Orgy and stuff like that,” says Taco.

“Just as cute,” cracks Graham before Taco can finish.

“The kids are still there, and the people that liked us before are all around,” adds Taco. “It’s kind of funny. When we broke up there was such an outpouring of ‘What the hell are you guys doing,’ so I think it will still be there.”