Gojira is an extreme metal band formed in 1996 in Bayonne, France. The band was known as Godzilla until 2001. Gojira is composed of Joe Duplantier on vocals and rhythm guitar, his brother Mario Duplantier on drums, Christian Andreu on lead guitar and Jean-Michel Labadie on bass. Since its first studio album, Gojira has had no changes in lineup, and has released four studio albums, one live album, one single, and one DVD. Their new EP will be released in 2011.
Gojira, known for their environmentally-themed lyrics, "have risen from utmost obscurity during the first half of their career to widespread global recognition in the second, including regular mention amongst the genre's leading new millennium upstarts", according to Allmusic.[1]
History
Early years and Terra Incognita (1996−2002)
Gojira was formed in 1996 in Ondres, France, a village close to Bayonne, by brothers Joe Duplantier (guitar, vocals) and drummer Mario Duplantier, guitarist Christian Andreu, and bassist Jean-Michel Labadie. The band started touring and recording under the name Godzilla and released their demos Victim, Possessed, and Saturate in 1996, 1997, and 1999, respectively.[2] After touring, supporting Cannibal Corpse, Edge of Sanity, Impaled Nazarene and supporting Immortal in September 1999,[3] legal problems forced Godzilla to change their name. They changed their name to Gojira, the rōmaji spelling of the fictional monster Godzilla.[4] Their last demo, Wisdom Comes, and their debut album Terra Incognita were released under the new name in 2000 and 2001, respectively.
The Link and From Mars to Sirius (2003−2007)
The band released their second studio album in 2003, The Link (reissued in 2007 with remastered audio and new booklet artwork).[5] After the success of the first two albums and their live performances they made a DVD in Bordeaux produced by Gabriel Editions. Since May 19, 2004, The Link Alive has been on sale in France.[3] In 2005, Gojira decided to sign with French-based Listenable Records to help give them exposure outside of France with the album From Mars to Sirius.[2]
Gojira was featured on Children of Bodom's US tour in late 2006, joining Amon Amarth and Sanctity as the openers.[6] Furthermore, Gojira supported Trivium on the UK dates of their European tour in 2007 with Sanctity and Annihilator.[7] Later they supported Lamb of God on their 2007 American tour along with Trivium and Machine Head.[8] In late 2007 they took part in the Radio Rebellion Tour, featuring co-headliners Behemoth and Job for a Cowboy, as well as Beneath the Massacre.[9] In October 2007, Listenable Records re-released Gojira's 1997 demo Possessed in a limited edition.[10]
Cavalera Conspiracy and The Way of All Flesh (2008−2010)
Joe Duplantier was invited by the founders of influential Brazilian band Sepultura, brothers Max and Igor Cavalera, to join their new band Cavalera Conspiracy as a bassist. The album Inflikted was released in March 2008 and a tour followed in mid-2008.[11]
Gojira's latest album, The Way of All Flesh, was released on October 13 in Europe via Listenable Records and October 14 in North America through Prosthetic Records in 2008.[12] On July 25th, 2008, the band announced the track listing and revealed the final cover art for the record.[13] Joe Duplantier told Revolver magazine, "I would say that it's the logical next album. It's more intense, more brutal, and more melodic at the same time — it's more everything! I'm very happy with the new songs and the recording is very good. I think it was a good thing for us to come to the States to work with Logan on the drum tracking because it really brought something — it's more tight, it's more powerful. I'm very positive about the new production, and even the writing is more straight to the point, more one tempo. We still have a lot of double bass, very fast, and at the same time there are melodies."[12] Joe Duplantier also stated about the album: "This record is a lot darker — like, a lot darker, I would say. The music is darker and more violent."[14] The album will be "more intense, more brutal, and more melodic" than its predecessor.[15] "That's the theme — it's about death itself," he explained. "It's also about the immortality of the soul. That's the main subject for us".[14]
Randy Blythe from the American band Lamb of God appeared as a guest vocalist on the song "Adoration for None"[16] The album took four months to write and record, and three months to mix.[17] On March 17th, 2009, the band's first North American headlining tour was announced. Opening bands were The Chariot and Car Bomb.[18] Gojira accompanied Metallica on their tour September 14 - October 18,[19] performing before Lamb of God. Gojira entered a Los Angeles, California-area studio in early November, 2010, with producer Logan Mader to begin recording a new non-profit four-song EP, the proceeds from which will benefit Sea Shepherd, an anti-whaling organization.[20] According to Joe Duplantier, the EP will feature guest appearances from the international metal scene.[21]
DVD, new material (2011-)
Gojira have recently issued an update on the progress on their next studio album, which as of March 15th, 2011, they are half way through writing and are excited about their new material. In the same update, Gojira also stated that they are currently working on a live DVD with a bonus section called 'The Way of All Flesh From the Inside'.
Musical style and lyrical themes
Gojira's sound is not easily classifiable[3] as they blend several styles.[22] Genres that have been associated with Gojira are technical death metal,[23] thrash metal and progressive metal. Gojira have been influenced by metal artists such as Gorguts, Death, Morbid Angel, Meshuggah, Voivod, Metallica, and Neurosis.[24][25]
Gojira plays a technical and rhythmic style of heavy metal with precision drumming, unusual rhythm patterns, and start-and-stop riffs. Gojira has also been known to incorporate textured atmospheric elements and instrumental songs into their music.[5] Gojira songs have progressive and uncommon song structures, rarely conforming to standard verse, chorus, verse songwriting.[5] The vocal style is varied, ranging from the screamed style often employed in extreme metal, with the death growl style predominantly used in death metal, in addition to clean vocals and higher screams. Often at times, death metal growls and clean vocals are mixed to create an aggressive but melodic effect.[22][24]
The members of the band were raised in Bayonne, a city on the south west coast of France (French Basque Country). The surrounding scenic countryside and rugged coastline inspired Gojira's interest in nature and the earth. Gojira uses its lyrics to spread its spiritual beliefs and concerns for the environment.[2]
Band members
- Joe Duplantier − vocals, rhythm guitar
- Mario Duplantier − drums, percussion
- Christian Andreu − lead guitar
- Jean-Michel Labadie - bass
[edit] Discography
- Main article: Gojira discography
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