Gojira (band)
French metal band known for environmental and spiritual themes.
Gojira is a French heavy metal band from Ondres, formed as Godzilla in 1996. The band's lineup stabilized with brothers Joe Duplantier (vocals, guitar) and Mario Duplantier (drums), Christian Andreu (guitar, joined 1997), and Jean-Michel Labadie (bass, joined 1998). Known for progressive and technical death metal, their lyrics often address spirituality, philosophy, and environmentalism. The band went from obscurity in their early career to widespread global recognition later, becoming the first French band to top the Billboard Hard Rock Albums chart and performing at the 2024 Summer Olympics opening ceremony in France.
- formed
- 1996
- origin
- Ondres, France
- genre
- Progressive death metal, technical death metal
- years_active
- 1996–present
- label
- Gabriel Editions, Boycott Records–Next Music, Prosthetic Records, Roadrunner Records
- notable_albums
- Terra Incognita (2001), From Mars to Sirius (2005), Magma (2016), Fortitude (2021)
Lore & Background
Gojira began as Godzilla in 1996, founded by brothers Joe and Mario Duplantier with guitarist Christian Andreu. After early demos and lineup changes (bassist Alexandre Cornillon replaced by Jean-Michel Labadie in 1998), the band changed its name to Gojira in 2001 due to legal pressure. Their debut album Terra Incognita (2001) was self-released on their own label Gabriel Editions, and they built a reputation through powerful live performances and DIY distribution. The band acquired Le Studio des Milans in 2002, a converted barn in the Landes forest, where they produced subsequent albums.
Reader's Guide
Gojira's significance lies in their rise from French underground obscurity to international headliners, driven by a consistent lineup and a DIY approach. Their third album From Mars to Sirius (2005) gained critical acclaim in the British metal press, and signing with Prosthetic Records gave them North American visibility. The band's breakthrough came with Magma (2016), which peaked at number 24 on the Billboard 200 and was certified gold in France, marking a shift to a more straightforward style. Fortitude (2021) became the best-selling album in the US during its first week. Gojira has received Grammy nominations for Best Rock Album (Magma) and Best Metal Performance for three singles. Their activism in environmental, human rights, and animal rights causes is integral to their identity, and they made history as the first heavy metal band to perform at an Olympics opening ceremony in 2024.
Did You Know?
- Gojira was originally named Godzilla, after the 1954 kaiju film, but changed the name in 2001 due to legal pressure.
- The band's first two albums were self-released and distributed from the Duplantier parents' kitchen.
- Gojira performed at the 2024 Summer Olympics opening ceremony in France, though they were not the first heavy metal band to do so.
- The band's studio, Le Studio des Milans, was originally a derelict barn rebuilt by the band over two years.
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