Review Summary: Gojira proves that they can create a very competent metal album and improve on songwriting skills.
To recap Gojira in detail: Gojira is a French death metal band who actually do speak English (a big surprise). They've also been known for using eco-themes effectively in their music. Gojira are:
1. Joe Duplantier: Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
2. Christian Andreu: Lead Guitar
3. Jean-Michael Labadie: Bass
4. Mario Duplantier: Drums
Gojira's scorching head banging metal may turn some off, but others, notebly extreme metal or prog metal enthusiasts, will be begging for more. The album opens up with Oroborus, a very groovy and high-quality track. It is probably the most melodic metal song on here too. Then, when you get to tracks like Art of Dying and Adoration for None, then you're really listening to the good Gojira songs. Until then, we have Toxic Garbage Island, which opens up with a pummeling riff that Meshuggah might have tried. It has a great, heartpounding chorus, too. A Sight to Behold is a bit of a failed experiment. While Gojira show a bit of experimentation and creativity, they don't seem to be very cut out for groove metal. They definitely showed this style better in The Link.
The problem I seem to have with the album is that Gojira at times run out of ideas and go for repetitive songwriting. Sure, it's much better than From Mars to Sirius, but it definitely needs work. I got a bit tired of listening to a song and hearing a part that goes on for 30 sec. of the song. They did improve on this a lot, though, from their third offering of their career.
Otherwise, this is a solid album overall. The production was toned down a bit but for more favourable, clean production to songs. Gojira shows us that they can make a good album that sends them up among prog OR extreme metal's more elite groups with outstanding musicianship. I give them applause for what they've done to prog music for us, and they're next album should be able to stand out from their others.
