Gojira is a heavy metal band formed in 1996 in Bayonne, France. The band was known as Godzilla until 2001. The band comprises Joe Duplantier on vocals and guitar, his brother Mario Duplantier on drums, Christian Andreu on guitar and Jean-Michel Labadie on bass. Since its formation, Gojira had no changes in lineup and has released three studio albums and one DVD. The band is known for their environment-related lyrics.

History

Early years and Terra Incognita (1996−2002)

Gojira was formed in 1996 in Bayonne, France, 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 first demo Possessed in 1998. After touring, supporting bands such as Cannibal Corpse, Edge of Sanity, Impaled Nazarene and supporting Immortal in September 1999, legal problems forced Godzilla to change their name. They changed their name to Gojira, the rōmaji spelling of the fictional monster Godzilla. Their debut album Terra Incognita was released under the new name in 2001.

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). 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. 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.

Gojira was featured on Children of Bodom's US tour in late 2006, joining Amon Amarth and Sanctity as the openers. Furthermore, Gojira supported Trivium on the UK dates of their European tour in 2007 with Sanctity and Annihilator. Later they supported Lamb of God on their 2007 American tour along with Trivium and Machine Head. 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.

Cavalera Conspiracy and The Way of All Flesh (2008−present)

Joe Duplantier was invited by 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 follows in mid-2008.

Gojira is working on their new album, The Way of All Flesh, to be released October 13 in Europe via Listenable Records and October 14 in North America through Prosthetic Records in 2008. On July 25th, 2008, the band announced the track listing and revealed the final cover art for the record. 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." 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." The album will be "more intense, more brutal, and more melodic" than its predecessor. "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".

Randy Blythe from the American band Lamb of God will be a guest vocalist on one song of the upcoming album.

Musical style and lyrical themes

Gojira's sound is not easily classifiable as they blend several styles. Genres that have been associated with Gojira are death metal, thrash metal, progressive metal and groove metal. They are often compared to bands like Meshuggah, Mastodon, Sepultura, Neurosis and Morbid Angel. Gojira have been influenced by heavy metal artists such as Death, Morbid Angel, Meshuggah, Metallica, Tool, and Neurosis. Gojira plays a technical and rhythmic style of heavy metal with precision drumming, unusual rhythm patterns, start-and-stop riffs, and breakdowns. Gojira has also been known to incorporate textured atmospheric elements and instrumental songs into their music. Gojira songs have progressive and uncommon song structures and are devoid of standard verse, chorus, verse song writing. The vocal style is somewhere between a hardcore punk shout and a death growl. Often at times, death metal growls and clean vocals are mixed to create an aggressive but melodic effect.

The members of the band were raised in Bayonne, a city on the south west coast of France. 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.

Band members

• Joe Duplantier − vocals, guitar (1996–present)
• Mario Duplantier − drums (1996–present)
• Christian Andreu − guitar (1996–present)
• Jean-Michel Labadie − bass guitar (1996–present)

Discography

Studio albums

• 2001: Terra Incognita
• 2003: The Link
• 2005: From Mars to Sirius
• 2008: The Way of All Flesh

Demos

• 1996: Victim
• 1997: Possessed
• 1999: Saturate
• 2000: Wisdom Comes

Live albums

• 2004: The Link Alive (CD/DVD)

References

• Gojira demos: Metal Archives
• "Gojira stalks city". Worcester Telegram & Gazette. Retrieved on 2008-07-07.
• Ross, Curtis "Gojira Makes A Whale Of A Sound". Tampa Tribune (Tampa, FL). Retrieved on 2008-07-07.

Notes

External links

• Official website
• Gojira at MySpace