If somehow you didn’t know yet, yes, you
do pronounce the name of Gojira
like the monster it truly is, “Godzilla”. They were formed in
1996 in Bayonne, France under the name Godzilla and changed their name to
the current version Gojira in 2001. Though it is still pronounce the same
as in the movies it was named after.
Gojira’s lineup has been just as strong as their music, with the same
solid lineup since its birth. They have created extreme metal with experimentation
and progression that’s made of fresh ideas and metallic assaults.
While Gojira’s sound is almost indefinable they have been classed
into progressive, death, and thrash. Accurate comparisons include Meshuggah,
Neurosis, and Morbid Angel that are also among the bands influences. Other
influences with bands like Death, Metallica, and Tool, are also valid in
some ways.
Within the 12 tunes and well over an hour of enraged arrangements you can
hear the band’s musical expertise as your listen. Heavy, blistering,
pummeling riffs hit your chest like a machine gun, out to end you life.
Much of the lyrics are brought forth with a yelling, growling, grimace,
and are presented in pissed off in nature. The brutal technical breakdowns
have truly become a signature for the band. Few bands, if any, can create
such hulking brutality. On the other side there are a small amount of calming
instrumentals.
Vocalist/Guitarist Joe Duplantier also produced this album, freshly off
his basswork on the Cavalera Conspiracy disc. Sounds good to me. You can
also attribute this to the mixing and mastering by Logan Mader (Divine Heresy,
Cavalera Conspiracy, and Psycroptic). Also of note is Randy Blythe vocalist
of Lamb of God does guest vocals on “Adoration For None”.
We are lucky to have a band like Gojira today that writes their music in
their distinctive manor, not following everyone else’s style. “The
Way Of All Flesh” treats it’s listeners to a metal delight,
and metalheads as well as their fans will appreciate this record. Look for
more great heaviness for years to come!
Rating: 85
Reviewed By: Jeffrey D. Adkins |
Second Review:
Gojira
is a progressive death 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. Just like all other Gojira albums
it's tough to immediately pin down exactly what's great about Gojira's long-awaited
new album “The Way of All Flesh”. You can’t make a valid
opinion of this album in just one listen. After a few listens, and once
you get into the dark heart of "The Way of All Flesh", it really
hits you. Gojira has reacted to their rising international profile by, if
anything, turning their back on everyone and becoming an even bleaker, more
feral and red-eyed beast. Another thing Gojira's have done thankfully is
to break away from the repetitive formula that too many bands have adopted
in today’s modern metal. Although they have a similar sound on each
song it is still very distinct and there is no confusing them for any other
band. Gojira have managed to put out a worthy successor to “From Mars
to Sirius”. This album “The Way of All Flesh”, without
a doubt, definitely different than “From Mars...”, a lot people
will argue that from “Mars...” is a stronger album. In my opinion
this album is a natural progression from “From Mars to Sirius”
and more intriguing the first spin of "A Sight to Behold", with
its bouncy groove, electronic bass line and robotized vocals is great example
of this. Gojira have a style and sound that not really one designed for
mass appeal (though they do, amazingly, seem to have caught on — score
one for following your own Muse at all costs). I’ve enjoyed it more
than “From Mars to Sirius” because it’s a darker and more
serious the music, its twisted and charred melodies even in the damaged
tunefulness of their vocals keep you interested though, and the lyrical
content is very thought provoking. There's almost something eerie about
the album it's quite a new landscape these madmen have blasted out for the
rest of us. There is some downright brutal metal songs on this album like
the songs “The Art Of Dying” and my personal favourites “Adoration
For None” (with guest vocals from Randy Blythe of Lamb of God) “All
The Tears” and the title track "The Way of All Flesh" even
with its haunting hidden track at the end... From start to finish this is
a killer album another strong contender for album of the years. So go buy
it, go somewhere remote and quiet, throw on some headphones, close your
eyes and just drift away. It's a wild ride.
Oroborous
Toxic Garbage Island
A Sight to Behold
Yama's Messengers
The Silver Cord
All the Tears
Adoration For None
The Art of Dying
Esoteric Surgery
Vacuity
Wolf Down the Earth
The Way of All Flesh
Rating: 90
Reviewed By: Cameron Edney
- http://www.myspace.com/insideout666ints
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