16.06.2023 Gojira

Graspop Metal Meeting

Dessel (Belgium)

From one highlight to the next. After Disturbed, it was time to head over to Gojira. The French band has steadily continued their ascent over the years, and after numerous mid‑tier slots, they finally landed a headliner position at a major festival. The area in front of the stage was packed, and anticipation was high for what was about to unfold.
Gojira, active since 1996, truly went all out. The massive screen behind them underscored every song with stunning video sequences, and the lighting setup spared no expense either. Combined with the band’s impressive performance, vocalist and guitarist Joseph Duplantier, supported by his brother Mario on drums, along with Christian Andreu on second guitar and Jean Michel Labadie on bass, it was pure cinematic spectacle. With the opener “Born For One Thing” from their current album “Fortitude”, the direction was immediately clear. Hard‑hitting yet intricate guitar work paired with Mario Duplantier’s phenomenal drumming created a sonic wall no one could escape. As expected, most of the set was built around “Fortitude”, but older works were not forgotten. By the time “Flying Whales” from the 2005 album “From Mars To Sirius” kicked in, the crowd completely lost it, singing loudly, moving as one, and fully immersed. The band barely needed to do anything between songs. The show ran itself.
Over the years, Gojira have evolved from their death‑metal roots, incorporating more and more influences until their sound became highly technical and intricate, far more aligned with progressive metal today. But genre labels are secondary. What matters is whether the music convinces, and it absolutely did. They worked their way through all creative phases, and with “The Gift Of Guilt” from the 2012 album “L’Enfant Sauvage”, the final song arrived far too soon. Everyone gave their all one last time before the final notes echoed across the field accompanied by a burst of confetti.
I first saw them in the afternoon at Wacken Open Air 2018, and even then I found them outstanding. But what they delivered on this evening completely overwhelmed me. The sheer force, the perfectly coordinated stage production, the flawless sound, and the band’s unrestrained joy in performing combined with a crowd that was fully engaged from the first to the last note made it impossible not to be swept away. Even though the band is known for their environmental and nature‑focused themes, this show was the complete opposite: packed with effects, yet never feeling excessive, everything was thoughtfully executed. Gojira have definitively proven that they have arrived at true headliner level. So here’s the clear recommendation: if you ever get the chance to see them nearby or catch them at a festival, just go for it and let yourself be carried away. In my eyes, an absolute must and live even more impressive than on CD or stream.