Gojira

The Early Years and Terra Incognita (1996–2002)

Gojira was founded in 1996 in Bayonne (France) by brothers Joe Duplantier (guitar, vocals) and Mario Duplantier (drums), guitarist Christian Andreu and bassist Jean-Michel Labadi. The band began performing and writing their tracks initially under the name Godzilla, and also released their first Possessed demo in 1997. ^[2] After a tour involving bands such as Cannibal Corpse , Edge of Sanity , Impaled Nazarene, and Immortal in September 1999 ^[3] , licensing issues forced the group to change its name. The choice fell on the name Gojira, the pronunciation of their former name in Romaji ^[4] . Their debut album Terra Incognita , released under a new name, was released in 2001.

The Link and From Mars to Sirius (2003-2007)

The Link's second studio album was released in 2003. Later, in 2007, a remastered version with a new booklet was released ^[5] . Following the success of the first two albums and successful tours, a DVD was released covering the concert in Bordeaux , produced by Gabriel Editions. Since May 19, 2004, The Link Alive was launched for sale in France ^[3] . In 2005, Gojira signed with Listenable Records to provide the opportunity to sell From Mars to Sirius album outside the country ^[2] .

At the end of 2006, Gojira performed with Children of Bodom on their US tour. The tour was opened by Amon Amarth and Sanctity ^[6] . Subsequently, the group joined Trivium at concerts in the United Kingdom on their 2007 European tour. Sanctity and Annihilator ^[7] also participated in the tour. The group later performed with Lamb of God in 2007 at Trivium and Machine Head ^[8] . At the end of 2007, Gojira took part in the Radio Rebellion Tour, in the company of three other headliners Behemoth , Job for a Cowboy and Beneath the Massacre ^[9] .

Cavalera Conspiracy and The Way of All Flesh (2008−2012)

Joe Duplantier was invited by the founders of the influential Brazilian band Sepultura - brothers Max and Igor Cavalera - to the band Cavalera Conspiracy as a bass player. The album of this group Inflikted was released in March 2008, followed by a tour in support of the album, which took place in mid-2008 ^[10] .

The fourth Gojira album, The Way of All Flesh, was released on October 13, 2008 in Europe with Listenable Records and October 14 in North America with Prosthetic Records ^[11] . On July 25, 2008, the group announced a track list of the album and showed the cover of the disc ^[12] . Joe Duplantier in an interview with Revolver magazine said:

“I would say that this is the next album in a logical sense. He is more intense, more brutal and more melodic at the same time - he is “more" in every way! I am very pleased with the new songs, and the recording quality is very good. I think that a trip to the States and working with Logan on drum parts was very beneficial for us, because he really brought something to the sound. It is more intense, more powerful. I am very positive about the new material and even the lyrics became closer to the point, more than just supporting the tempo of the song. We, as before, have a lot of double barrel, very fast, and at the same time melodic. "

Original text

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 in an interview with Revolver Magazine ^[11]

Joe Duplantier also said about the album:

“This album is much darker. I mean, MUCH more gloomy. The music is darker and tougher. "

Original text

This record is a lot darker - like, a lot darker, I would say. The music is darker and more violent.

- Joe Duplantier ^[13]

Randy Blyth from the American band Lamb of God participated in the recording as a vocalist in the song "Adoration for None" ^[14] .

It took four months to write and record an album, and three more to bring it together ^[15] .

The first North American tour was announced on March 17, 2009, in which Gojira will act as a headliner. The tour began May 1 in Springfield, Virginia and ended May 28 in Dallas, Texas.

In 2010, the band acted as the opening act for Metallica on their Death Magnetic World Tour.

In March 2011, the group announced work on a new album. .

We are writing a new album! We have already written it almost halfway, and we really like this material. This is a big step for us. These songs are original and well reflect what we are today.

- gojira

On June 26, 2012, Roadrunner Records released their fifth Gojira studio album, L'Enfant Sauvage . In support of the new album, Gojira went on a North American tour with bands such as Dethklok and Lamb of God .

Magma (2015-now)

Mario Duplantier said so about working on a new album in an interview in 2015:

We spent 2 months writing new material, new songs. And we are very optimistic about the future. We already like a lot. We want to make a really strong album. I understand that all groups say that, but this time, I think that we will really do it.

In April 2015, the group completed the construction of its Silver Cord Studio in New York. 10 days after the recording began, the mother of the Duplantier brothers fell ill, so work on the album had to be suspended. She later died, which greatly influenced the mood of the entire album.

On June 17 , 2016, the sixth studio album, Magma , was released . Critics generally accepted the album with a rating of 79 on Metacritic .

Gojira was nominated for 2 Grammy Awards in 2016. Magma was nominated for the best rock album , and Silvera for the best metal performance .

The Gojira style combines different genres ^{[3] [16]} : death metal ^[17] , progressive metal and groove metal . The group is often compared to groups such as Meshuggah , Mastodon , Sepultura , Neurosis and Morbid Angel ^{[18] [19]} . Gojira was influenced by such metal bands as Death , Morbid Angel , Meshuggah , Pantera ^[20] , Metallica , Tool and Neurosis ^{[19] [21]} .

Gojira plays a technical and rhythmic version of the metal with precise drums, a non-standard rhythm section, start-and-stop riffs and breakdowns. The group also uses processed sound effects of nature in their songs ^[5] . Songs have a progressive and unusual structure ^[5] . As a vocal, both a clear voice and various extreme vocal techniques are used ^{[16] [19]} .

The band grew up in Bayonne , a city on the southwest coast of France, whose picturesque landscape inspired the group to become interested in nature and the Earth. Gojira uses music to spread her spiritual beliefs and draw attention to environmental issues ^[2] .

• Joe Duplantier - vocals, solo guitar (1996-present)
• Mario Duplantier - Drums (1996 — present)
• Christian Andrew - rhythm guitar (1996 — present)
• Jean-Michel Labadi - bass (1996 — present)

• Hellfest 2013
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  Christian Andreu

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  Jean-michel labadie

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  Joseph Duplantier

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  Mario duplantier

Studio albums

• 2001: Terra Incognita
• 2003: The Link
• 2005: From Mars To Sirius
• 2008: The Way Of All Flesh
• 2012: L'Enfant Sauvage
• 2016: Magma

Demo

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

Live albums

• 2004: The Link Alive (CD / DVD)
• 2012: The Flesh Alive (DVD)

• Official website
• Gojira at Last.fm
• Gojira stalks city (English) , Worcester Telegram & Gazette (November 15, 2007). Date of treatment July 7, 2008.
• Ross, Curtis . Gojira Makes A Whale Of A Sound (English) , Tampa Tribune (Tampa, FL) (March 30, 2007). Archived on May 22, 2015. Date of treatment July 7, 2008.
• Biography at allmusic