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Undid revision 516237003 by 108.35.189.68 (talk) dude seirously, get a fucking life
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| alias = Godzilla
| alias = Godzilla
| origin = [[Bayonne]], [[France]]
| origin = [[Bayonne]], [[France]]
| genre = [[death metal]], [[progressive metal]], [[groove metal]], [[thrash metal]], [[metalcore]], [[experimental metal]]
| genre = [[Technical death metal]], [[progressive metal]], [[groove metal]], [[thrash metal]], [[experimental metal]]
| years_active = 1996–present
| years_active = 1996–present
| label = [[Roadrunner Records|Roadrunner]]<br/>[[Prosthetic Records|Prosthetic]]<br/>[[Listenable Records|Listenable]] (France)
| label = [[Roadrunner Records|Roadrunner]]<br/>[[Prosthetic Records|Prosthetic]]<br/>[[Listenable Records|Listenable]] (France)

Revision as of 09:34, 6 October 2012

Template:Three other uses

Gojira
Gojira performs at Tuska Open Air Metal Festival in 2006
Gojira performs at Tuska Open Air Metal Festival in 2006
Background information
Also known asGodzilla
OriginBayonne, France
GenresTechnical death metal, progressive metal, groove metal, thrash metal, experimental metal
Years active1996–present
LabelsRoadrunner
Prosthetic
Listenable (France)
MembersJoe Duplantier
Mario Duplantier
Christian Andreu
Jean-Michel Labadie
Websitewww.gojira-music.com

Gojira is a French metal band from Bayonne. Formed in 1996, 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 their first studio album, Gojira has had no changes in lineup, written five studio albums and produced three live DVDs.

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 are from Ondres, France, a village close to Bayonne. Formed by brothers Joe Duplantier (guitar, vocals), drummer Mario Duplantier, guitarist Christian Andreu, and bassist Jean-Michel Labadie, Gojira's music combines elements of Death metal, Groove metal, Thrash metal and Progressive metal. 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 Cannibal Corpse, Edge of Sanity, Impaled Nazarene and supporting Immortal in September 1999,[2] legal problems forced Godzilla to change their name. They changed their name to Gojira, the rōmaji spelling of the fictional monster Godzilla.[3] Their last demo, Wisdom Comes, and their debut album Terra Incognita were released under the new name in 2000 and 2001, respectively.

The band released their second studio album in 2003, The Link (reissued in 2007 with remastered audio and new booklet artwork).[4] 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.[2] 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.[5]

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]

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 25, 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 17, 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]

L'Enfant Sauvage, EP & DVD (2011-present)

Gojira issued an update on the progress on their next studio album, which as of March 15, 2011, they were halfway through writing and were excited about their new material. In the same update, Gojira also stated that they were currently working on a live DVD with a bonus section called 'The Way of All Flesh From the Inside'.

As a preview of the Sea Shepherd EP, Gojira released the song "Of Blood And Salt" in May 2011, featuring Devin Townsend as a guest vocalist and a guest guitar solo performed by Fredrik Thordendal.

Regarding on what the new Gojira material sounds like, Joe Duplantier said:[22]

It's Gojira but wiser and heavier. Our music is always evolving. I hope there is more to come from us! I believe we can get heavier and deeper and more magical than before. I respect everything that's been done before, but I hope we're digging in another direction. It's not a technical direction. It's a more spiritual direction. I think we're getting closer to the core of why we're doing this music. It's hard to describe it. Until I hear the new album it's hard to have a clear vision of it. Fuck it, it's just better!

On October 2, 2011, Gojira explained that the reason their new EP had been delayed was due to the fact that it had been stored on a hard drive which had subsequently failed but that they were working hard to recover it.[23]

On November 8, 2011, Gojira released an update stating they had been acquired by Roadrunner Records and would be releasing the new studio album under their label for a spring 2012 release.

Regarding the new partnership, Joe Duplantier said:[24]

We are so stoked to walk with the legendary Roadrunner. We discovered Sepultura, Machine Head, Death, Fear Factory and so many other great bands thanks to these guys. Roadrunner has been a great source of inspiration for us as metal fans. It's an honor to be part of this family today as a band. We feel we'll get the right support at the right moment in our career. We cannot wait to release our new record and get back on the road.

On April 4, 2012, L'Enfant Sauvage was announced as the title of their Roadrunner Records debut. The title translates to "The Wild Child." The album features 11 tracks, and is scheduled to land at retail on June 26. "When you become a musician, you don't have a boss telling you what to do so you have to be very responsible," singer/guitarist/songwriter Joe Duplantier said, shedding a little light on the title and its meaning. "With freedom comes responsibility so I'm asking myself, 'What is freedom? What does it mean to me?' L'Enfant Sauvage reflects on that. There's no answer though. There's just life and questions."

The title song "L'Enfant Sauvage" was released as a single along with a video to support it followed by a release of the song "Liquid Fire" as free download on Gojira's official website. The album was released June 26, 2012 through Roadrunner Records.

Musical style and lyrical themes

Gojira's sound is not easily classifiable[2] as they blend several styles.[25] Genres that have been associated with Gojira are technical death metal,[26] thrash metal and progressive metal. Gojira have been influenced by metal artists such as Sepultura, Death, Morbid Angel, Meshuggah, Tool, Metallica, Pantera, and Neurosis.[27][28]

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.[4] Gojira songs have progressive and uncommon song structures, rarely using the standard verse, chorus, verse songwriting.[4] 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. At times, death metal growls and clean vocals are mixed to create an aggressive but melodic effect.[25][27]

The members of the band were raised in Bayonne, a city on the south west coast of France (Pyrénées-Atlantiques/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.[5]

Band members

Discography

Main article: Gojira discography

References

  1. ^ Gojira at Allmusic
  2. ^ a b c "Gojira Biography". Metal Storm. Retrieved 2008-05-04.
  3. ^ "Gojira Biography". The Gauntlet. Retrieved 2008-05-04.
  4. ^ a b Lucy Williams. "Gojira Biography". Official Gojira Website. Retrieved 2008-05-04.
  5. ^ "CHILDREN OF BODOM, AMON AMARTH: More North American Tour Dates Announced". Blabbermouth. Retrieved 2008-04-05.
  6. ^ "GOJIRA And SANCTITY Added To TRIVIUM's European Tour". Blabbermouth. Retrieved 2008-04-05.
  7. ^ "LAMB OF GOD, MACHINE HEAD, TRIVIUM, GOJIRA: North American Tour Dates Announced". Blabbermouth. Retrieved 2008-04-05.
  8. ^ "GOJIRA: New Performance Footage Posted Online". Blabbermouth. Retrieved 2008-04-05.
  9. ^ Gojira: 'Xfm Sessions' Recording Posted Online - Oct. 15, 2007, Blabbermouth.net
  10. ^ "Cavalera Conspiracy Biography". Roadrunner Records. Archived from the original on 2008-04-02. Retrieved 2008-05-04.
  11. ^ a b "GOJIRA: New Album Title, Release Date Announced". Blabbermouth. Retrieved 2008-06-06.
  12. ^ "GOJIRA: 'The Way Of All Flesh' Artwork, Track Listing Revealed". Blabbermouth. Retrieved 2008-07-25.
  13. ^ a b "GOJIRA Frontman: 'I'm So Pissed Off With The Situation On Earth Right Now'". Blabbermouth. Retrieved 2008-06-23.
  14. ^ "GOJIRA Frontman Explains New Album Title". Blabbermouth. Retrieved 2008-06-23.
  15. ^ "LAMB OF GOD Frontman To Guest On New GOJIRA Album - July 10, 2008". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 2008-07-20.
  16. ^ Minton, James (2008) "Studio Report - Flesh and Blood", Terrorizer, issue No. 176, November 2008
  17. ^ "GOJIRA: North American Tour Dates Announced". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 2008-03-31.
  18. ^ http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=4689215&blogID=499190534
  19. ^ http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=155324
  20. ^ http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=149044
  21. ^ "Joe Duplantier: 'Our music is always evolving'". Blabbermouth.net. 2011-06-01. Retrieved 2011-06-01.
  22. ^ "Sea Shepard Facebook Update". facebook.com. 2011-10-02.
  23. ^ "Joe Duplantier: 'Working with Roadrunner Records'". gojira-music.com. 2011-11-08. Retrieved 2011-11-23.
  24. ^ a b Simon Milburn. "From Mars to Sirius review". The Metal Forge. Retrieved 2008-04-20.
  25. ^ Lissa Brennan, With French death-metal pioneers Gojira, the lyrics matter as much as the blastbeats, pittsburghcitypaper.ws , October 15, 2009
  26. ^ a b Chad Bowar. "From Mars to Sirius review". About.com. Retrieved 2008-03-14.
  27. ^ "Gojira entry". MySpace. Retrieved 2008-03-14. Morbid Angel, Metallica, Tool, Meshuggah, Neurosis, Death
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