Gojira: Change Is Not Enough
In 2006, former United States Vice President Al Gore starred in An Inconvenient Truth – a bare bones documentary that followed Al rolling through a slide show depicting the hazards of global warming. It introduced us to terminology like ‘The Keeling Curve’ – a graph used to show the increase of CO2 in the earth’s atmosphere since 1958, and glacier reduction. Though criticised by some as an ill-founded, political sweep – it bought the conversation of climate change to the masses in a widespread manner, the likes of which we had never previously seen.
Reviews were gleefully harrowed. Popular US film critic Roger Ebert even went to the extent of saying, “in 39 years, I have never written these words in a movie review, but here they are: You owe it to yourself to see this film. If you do not, and you have grandchildren, you should explain to them why you decided not to.” Its reception in North America forced the documentary to cross borders, and transcend genres. TV shows like Scrubs dedicated almost a whole episode to the concept, and before long: it felt like every corner of the globe knew of its existence, and overall message.
A year prior, French metal demigods GOJIRA had closed off their breakthrough record From Mars To Sirius with the spiralling sounds of catastrophe on the aptly titled Global Warming. It was less prophetic and more a seven minute lambast of humankind’s inactivity confronting the disaster that we could already see peering at us from the horizon. Neither the Ondres four piece, nor Al Gore were the originators of the discussion, but they were purveyors of it during a time when the world was sleeping at the wheel.
Why then, 16 years later, have we still not fully woken up? It’s a question that haunts GOJIRA powerhouse drummer Mario Duplantier. His shoulders drop and his sigh is heavy as he explains. “We talked about it a long time ago because we knew it was coming – like a lot of people did.” His late mother would sit him, and fellow bandmate/brother Joe down – and explain the perils of how we treat the planet in a way that they could understand. The pride is etched across his face as he recounts the memories.
He hasn’t lost all hope yet. Rising sea levels, CO2 emissions, and melting ice caps haven’t rid GOJIRA of the faith that change is in the offing. Mario name drops the upcoming generation of youth as a motivator for the band, as well as some others closer to home. “My daughter is more conscious than myself,” he says with a skip in his step. “She’s a child and still giving me a lesson. I really, really believe in the new generation because of social media and the internet: everyone is aware of the problem.”
As the conversation deepens, it becomes clear that change is not enough though. Perhaps we need revolution. If we do, GOJIRA are a band we can depend on to lead the charge. Writing about the ills of modern society is one thing, but what are you doing to be the difference? That’s the mindset that has driven the band for two decades now. New album Fortitude doesn’t just point the finger – it lends a helping hand.
Single Amazonia goes beyond verbal gesture. Not only do all proceeds from the track get donated to the APIB (Articulation Of Indigenous Peoples Of Brazil), but two fundraising initiatives have been launched alongside it. For most bands, the direct lyrics of “Our greatest miracle is burning to the ground” would be their part done and dusted. But we’re past the stage of raising awareness, we need action.
Mario doesn’t mix his words, he wants more bands to go further in the battle. “Words are great, but it’s time to act,” he says. “It’s time to put momentum in our planet and society, the individual action is so important. You can change the world just by doing little things. If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem. An action like we’re doing for the Amazon is just the beginning. If you want to change the world, you have to fight for it.”
Fortitude is something of a return to the conversation for GOJIRA. 2016’s Magma was hardly a let off for society, but it told a more personal story of the Duplantier brothers. Written primarily about the tragic loss of their mother, the record demanded something new of the Frenchmen. “After that difficult time I felt stronger than ever,” he explains. “For a human being – losing your Mom can be very tough, but it was a good life lesson, I overcame it.”
There was no time off. Mario and Joe laid their mother to rest, and then returned to the cold winds of New York to work on the record. Stories ran that the two would emotionally break down, and even burst into tears during the process. You’d understand any outfit calling for a 12 month timeout, but GOJIRA fought through. The resilience paid dividends. Magma moved the four piece to worldwide status. Festival headline slots, sell out tours, a lavishing fan base – they had become one of the biggest bands in modern metal.
Arguably, it did even more for the band internally. The dice roll that was tracks like The Shooting Star, with its more tranquil approach – worked wonders. Mario claims it helped fortify their stance, that they could move out of the box if they felt it necessary. “It’s true that we observed the success of Magma, and how a song like The Shooting Star is the favourite of a lot of people.” He acknowledges the band’s self awareness, but he also makes the effort of pointing out their rigorous selection process. If it deviates too far from what they feel GOJIRA is, it won’t make the cut.
“We have an artistic limit in our mind,” he states. “We knew that people that like GOJIRA accept both the softer, and heavier sides. But we are super picky with melodies, we know if it’s too cheesy or not.” Looking in retrospect, Fortitude‘s duo of its title track and The Chant make even more sense now. In the most outlandish moment of GOJIRA‘s career – the two are essentially a seven minute entourage built around one, swinging, spiritual melody. But they’re the kind of bold, anthemic, obtuse tracks that only the quartet could write. And, had it not been for Magma, maybe they wouldn’t have.
Despite its gloomy realism, Fortitude stays true to its namesake. It’s a call for unity in the face of destruction. Mario identifies our lack of spirituality, something he feels has been at a frightening loss for generations, as a concern. GOJIRA aren’t necessarily pushing religion, more the idea that you should believe in, well, anything. Whether that is in fact a deity, yourself, equality, it doesn’t matter. Discover your love and fight for it.
That’s what GOJIRA have done for twenty years. Mario won’t be drawn in on predicting the future of humanity. “I have no idea what is going to happen, it’s in our hands,” he quips. “The planet will be here, it’s just a matter of whether we’re here or not – she doesn’t care. If humankind disappeared, maybe she could then start expressing herself.”
When all is said and done for GOJIRA, us, everyone, some will feel more fulfilled than others. But what Mario and co have fought tooth and nail for since the opening moments of their career – is their knowledge that they did their part. Musically, their imprint on metal was left 16 years ago. And though they will go down as one of the greats of modern metal when it comes to output, GOJIRA‘s biggest impact will always be their fight for our future.
Fortitude is out now via Roadrunner Records.
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