For over a decade Gojira has been demolishing the idea that France is just baguettes, berets and an unhealthy obsession with Jerry Lewis. Along with more recent counterparts like Anomalous and Wolves In The Throne Room the four-piece, originally known as Godzilla, is one of metal’s brightest hopes. Their fusion of death metal, thrash and progressive metal with slightly more commercial elements is seamless and doesn’t compromise, ever.
L’Enfant Sauvage is an unrelenting ride from the moment opening track Explosia kicks off. You are greeted by screeching guitar and rapid-fire drumming before the tempo drops off into a more melodic cavern. Before you can stop to breathe the title track is up next. The perfect example of their forward-thinking approach, the track finds them taking what could be a radio hit and smashing it over the head without sacrificing its listenability. Stand-out track Pain Is A Master is heavy on the thrash while remaining melodic. Again they switch things up with a chorus would be perfectly at home on an ’80s power metal effort. The closest L’Enfant Sauvage gets to containing a ballad is the epic Born In Winter, which allows lead singer Joe Duplantier to showcase a more brooding side of his vocal style. From top-to-bottom Gojira once again deliver the goods.
BY ANDREW ‘ HAZARD’ HICKEY
Best Track: The Gift Of Guilt
If You Like These, You’ll Like This: OHMnivalent ANOMALOUS, Celestial Lineage WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM
In A Word: Savage
