Beautiful Adoration for All:  Gojira’s Majestic Performance at the Sold Out House of Blues in Las Vegas

 August 2nd, 2019

     Live performances are a unique, sometimes complicated, and most surreal aspect of music.  The chills explode on your pores and skin, the nervous anxious sweat running down your body, unable to keep a straight face as you imagine the lights waning down until showtime; it’s simply like anything else.  For Gojira, this is a standard.  The Progressive Death Metal veterans from Bayonne, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France, keep that level of live intensity on a fairly regular basis, absolutely showing that they take every single note, show, moment, and emotion quite seriously.  The band, currently on tour with Slipknot, had 3 headlining dates in between the Knotfest shows, none in Southern California where I reside, sadly, but a Vegas show being one of them, I bought my ticket as early as April, and anticipating all the way until that 2nd of August, I knew Gojira would not disappoint, as this would be my 8th time seeing the band, third time witnessing headlining, but little did I know what was to be in store this sold out Friday evening.

     Doors were at 7:30, to an extremely crowded line gushing in excitement and wavering in joy for this event.  This was actually my 2nd time at the House of Blues in Las Vegas, seeing ironically, Kvelertak, Gojira, and Mastodon back in 2014.  Fitting to return here for a proper headlining Gojira concert, I must say.

     Opening the show, be it the only opener this evening, Thrash/Groove Metal from Las Vegas:  Hemlock.  Their 26-year, eight full-length album history, goes a long way for old-school Metalheads, including Punk and Crossover fans as well.  My first impressions of Hemlock reminded me of Suicidal Tendencies, that Punk vibe mixed in with 90’s Thrash, giving that heaviness with the swift timing as an accessory.  Bassist/Vocalist and founder Chad Smith gave the crowd all the energy he could, and it was remarkable to see how much the crowd fueled him.  The band as I could tell, wanted to have a grand ol’ time onstage, headbanging fiercely through every chugging breakdown, excitement from the crowd mosh pitting, it definitely had a festive vibe, like those underground Thrash shows for example.  While their energy kept a solid portion of the crowd engaged, some of the music felt less than dynamic, and knowing with this kind of Metal genre, only able to appreciate so much in terms of ability, flickering riff changes and progressions, it just wasn’t something I could completely manage for their 40 minute set.

     I appreciated their energy, longingness in the Metal and concert scene, and I’m positive at a Thrash festival I could enjoy Hemlock considerably more, but anticipating Gojira, the build up could only go so far, as asides their similarity in energy and aggression, there wasn’t too much to compare to.  Hemlock announced at the end of their set that they would be headlining this venue in 3 weeks, and a show on their own, I can see the spirit of their set, truly come to light.  By the time the band said goodbye, a heavy portion of the fans in attendance cheered ragingly, and was great to see a band of this longevity get the proper applause and love they deserved, it just wasn’t 100% great for me, but still enjoyed them a solid amount.  For anyone into a slam fest most pit kind of show, a headlining Hemlock show would be a proper choice.

     30 minutes seemingly past by with nerves, a grand sense of warmth, and anxiously chuckling, knowing full and well what the House of Blues and all 2,000 fans in attendance were about to experience.  9:32 PM, finally, and the gorgeous blue shimmering lights encase the beautiful backdrop of Gojira, vividly detailed and memorable.  As soon as “Oroborus” was blazing in the air, the entire venue screamed epically, the fans unable to contain their astonishment for what Gojira brings, especially live.  The vibe and crowd completely shifted, all I saw were thriving, blissful Metalheads, appreciating every moment and breath for the next monumental 90 minutes. 

     One of the most remarkable aspects of Gojira, is their ability to have this crushing heaviness within each riff played and sparking with crystal clear production and loudness personified.  Your own thoughts weren’t your own anymore, it was to their sound and music, and the feeling was truly captivating.  Present in that observation, “Backbone” and the compelling epic, “Flying Whales”, all displayed from their 2005 magnum opus, From Mars to Sirius.  One of the only albums to ever feel like it was recorded on this ancient cave, eons away from this planet, the deafening tone translates to something beyond surreal, and it is such a soft spot whenever a song from that album is played, and from the chaotic frenzy in the crowd during “Flying Whales”, it was no surprise to see many fans around my age, reminisce that exact personal time period from Gojira. 

     And to that point, I commend them for always keeping a varied setlist in order, despite not hearing “The Heaviest Matter in the Universe”, also from said previous album, it’s still refreshing to see a band constantly vary the live set.  It’s not particularly about hearing the songs you solely want them to play, but for the band to paint the canvas with a unique and different brush often.  Each set a band plays tells a certain story and adventure, and with many groups constantly leaving their set list stale and repetitive, the same story is being told, with doubt and lack of energy for their next tour.  Not Gojira, as they completely grasp the proper traits of an elite live band. 

     Hearing two songs from their 2001 debut, Terra Incognito, was quite the treat.  “Love” was sinister, carnage wrecking madness with their tone collecting every note played onstage, to envelope the audience into the older days of their history.  The songs off Magma sounded especially heavy live, something I admittedly noticed lacked a small amount on album, but absolutely had me smiling in surprise, with “The Shooting Star” having that verse riff bombastic the venue, showing one of the more extreme mosh pits of the night.  The star itself might has well combusted into a sun, as the entire venue was filled with these riveting looking confetti that beautifully sculptured the stage in a captivating, colorful blaze.  I’ve never seen Gojira use this kind of atmosphere within their stage props and lights, but it’s another additional progression in which the band can home in on so easily.  Even with my Google Pixel 3, having the best camera on a phone, taking these pictures, the adoring scenery was all on it’s own, with my quality camera happening to add a few more delicate features and detail.

     Unlike the heavy majority of any bands out there, Gojira has had their same four member core since the very origin of the band.  Guitarist/vocalist Joe Duplantier and his brother, Mario Duplantier, who happens to provide earth shattering drum attacks and flowing technique for the band, create a sonic display of Death Metal, somber tapping riffs, extreme Progressive Metal woven deep in their fans, the eclectic prominent sound of Gojira electrifies the usual sense of what you feel extreme music, is supposed to sound like.  Their collaboration of ideas, melody, technicality, and a deep appreciation of Metal can be felt with every heartbeat sung.  Not ever to be overshadowed, that very same core consists of bassist Jean-Michel Labadie, whose thunderous bass breakdowns found all over tonight’s set, crushed the senses and illuminated the mind within a devastating tone that ignited the guitars, to an extra heavy degree.  Guitarist Christian Andreu kept up with Joe every step of the way, matching the slick scrape-picking harmonic riffs and overall technique Gojira requires every night.  Both of the aforementioned were actually the most energetic onstage, constantly moving all around and headbanging all too happily often.  While most casual Gojira fans will gravitate towards the Duplantier brothers (for outstanding reason, of course), this band knows to use each and every trait, strength and heart of all four band members, and it’s gratifying to see that core at maximum capacity in each and every performance, and song. 

     To everyone’s delight, Gojira announced at the end of the show that they’re roughly halfway done with the new album and exclaimed how proud they were to show us all the final product.  You truly enjoy seeing bands of this level continue to develop their musical craft, style, musicianship, and eager-like wonder, despite all of the massive success they’ve received, especially the last 5 years or so, where their status around the Metal world would be on most of everyone’s top list.  Gojira’s 90-minute headlining set was by far, and so far, the best performance I’ve ever seen from them, as a 14-year fan of the band.  I still consider Suffocation to be the best live band ever, but Gojira is certain in that short list, without a doubt, and this excellent Last Vegas Gojira crowd savored every morsel and feast from tonight’s unforgettable event.  It was also awesome to see Lost in Vegas at the show; two friends from more of a Hip-Hop background, showing real reactions to all types of Metal and breaking them down impressively and soundly, show their love for Gojira, which they’ve said one of their best and favorite bands on their channel, and lives.  Joe shouted them out at the very end, and that kind of respect and friendship, just warms your heart and seeing the good people out there inspire one another.  From this long-time Metal nerd and lifelong, Lost in Vegas is doing a fabulous job, and I look forward to them breaking in some of the even deeper, darker, and higher level of Extreme Metal someday.

     It’s painless and easy to show up and play a show, allowing your own personal egos, self-entitlement, and give as least energy as possible for the most amount of money you want to gain.  It’s a different monster and whole meaning when a quality band absolutely gives their very best to a live performance, through their musical ability, breathtaking songwriting and play, and absolute being true Metalheads from their young age, take it all and bring it back to one of the most harmonious circles I’ve ever witnessed.  Gojira has been doing this since 2001, and their evolution in all facets, has continued to grow in quality ever since.  Their best show I’ve seen thus far, anyone who gets to see them perform, especially headlining, make your life even greater and witness this grand declaration of music.  Best show of 2019 so far, the rest of the calendar has their hands completely full, in competing with that.

1.     Oroborus

2.     Backbone

3.     Stranded

4.     Flying Whales

5.     Love

6.     The Cell

7.     Terra Inc.

8.     Silvera

9.     L’Enfant Sauvage

10.  The Shooting Star

11.  Blow Me Away You (Niverse)

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12.  Mario Duplantier Drum Solo

13.  Toxic Garbage Island

14.  Vacuity

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15.  The Gift of Guilt