Culture: Gojira @ Brooklyn Steel New York

(Drivebycuriosity) - I am a connoisseur of heavy metal. I really enjoy atmospheric rock music with very heavy riffs. Fortunately my wife shares this taste. This week we went to Brooklyn Steel in  New York to watch a performance by Gojira. This was the third gig by the French band we have seen. We had discovered them @ Chicago´s Open Air festival in July 2016 where they played together with Rammstein, Deafheaven, Slipknot and many other bands (driveby) and we observed another concert in New York in October 2016.

Originally the band had the name Godzilla, but it seems there were copy right issues. Anyway, the original name fits well. Gojira´s music is majestic & violent but beautiful.  The French showed that they can create heavy metal as well as the Scandinavian bands who seem to rule the genre. This week they once again delivered massive walls of sound with atmospheric & melodic elements.

Contrary to popular bands like Rammstein or Slipknot the French refrain from relying upon show effects and focused on the music.  Brothers Joe Duplantier (vocals, guitars) & Mario Duplantier (drums) together with guitarist Christian Andreu & bassist Jean-Michel Labadie mastered their instruments virtuously and inspired masses in front of the stage to crowd surf and mosh (jumping up and down and deliberately colliding with other dancers).

I enjoyed the dramaturgy of the concert. Over the about 90 minutes of their show they increased  intensity, mixing melodic & atmospheric parts with explosive elements. When I thought they had reached their climax an even higher peak followed. Stroboscopic lights and laser beams enhanced the psychedelic impression.

Thank you so much Gojira for this experience. Some day we might see you again.