Gojira

• Formed: 1996, Bayonne, France
• Genre(s): Death Metal
• Representative Albums: "The Way of All Flesh," "From Mars to Sirius," "Terra Incognita"







Biography

Taking their name from the original Japanese pronunciation of Godzilla, French heavy metal quartet Gojira 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. Originating from the town of Bayonne, on France's southernmost Atlantic Ocean coastline, Gojira recorded the first in a sequence of almost yearly demos in 1996, gradually honing their sound until the year 2000, when bandmembers Joe Duplantier (vocals/guitar), Christian Andreu (guitar), Jean-Michel Labadie (bass), and Mario Duplantier (drums), felt ready to record their first album, Terra Incognita, relying solely on their own devices. And despite its independent status, the aptly named LP made significant waves with its unpredictable blend of death, thrash, groove, progressive, and math metal -- recalling bands as diverse as Pantera, Meshuggah, Suffocation and Sepultura. Still, it took several years (and a curious detour into soundtrack music on 2003's Maciste All Inferno EP) for the metal world to catch on, and even Gojira's second album, The Link, had to be released through tiny independent, Boycott Records, before being reissued by Listenable. (This was followed by 2004's The Link Alive live album and DVD, whose audio component was limited to 500 copies -- a parting shot for Boycott.) Now finally gathering steam, Gojira saw their third full-length, From Mars to Sirius, enter the French charts at number 44, while collecting the most enthusiastic reviews of their career -- a level of acclaim that led, in turn, to numerous key European festival appearances, and lengthy European and North American tours with bands like Obituary, Hatesphere, Children of Bodom, and Machine Head, to name but a few. By the end of the album's long promotional cycle, Gojira were widely acknowledged as a force to be reckoned with, on-stage and in the studio, and their much anticipated fourth LP, The Way of All Flesh (released stateside by Prosthetic Records), made a strong showing by debuting at number 138 on the American charts, in October 2008.


History


Gojira is a French progressive metal band formed in 1996 in Bayonne, France. The band was known as Godzilla until 2001. The band is composed of 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 has had no changes in lineup (particularly rare for an underground band), and has released four studio albums, one live album, one single, and one DVD. The band is known for their environment-related lyrics.

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. 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 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). 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 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.

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. 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 appeared as a guest vocalist on the song "Adoration for None."

The album took four months to write and record, and three months to mix.
On March 17th, 2009, the band's first North American headlining tour was announced. The tour will kick off on May 1st in Springfield, Virginia and wrap up on May 28th in Dallas, Texas. Support for the much-anticipated headlining tour will be provided by The Chariot and Car Bomb.

According to a recent Metallica blog on myspace Gojira will be accompanying them on their tour September 14-October 18. Lamb of God will also serve as an opening act. On Metallica's off days, Gojira will headline shows with Burst and Zoroaster supporting.

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 (technical death metal in particular), 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 (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.

Band members


• Joe Duplantier − vocals, guitar (1996–present)
• Mario Duplantier − drums (1996–present)
• Christian Andreu − guitar (1996–present)
• Jean-Michel Labadie − bass guitar (2000–present)

Former member

• Alexandre Cornillon – bass guitar (1996-2000)

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)

Official page: http://www.gojira-music.com/
Myspace : http://www.myspace.com/gojira