Gojira frontman Joe Duplantier has given fans an exciting update on the band’s next album, following their groundbreaking performance at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, where they became the first metal band ever to perform at the event.
In a recent interview, Joe provided insight into the French metal band’s upcoming project, building on his brother and Gojira drummer Mario Duplantier’s earlier comments that the new album would be “heavier” than their 2021 release, Fortitude.
“It’s no secret we’re deep into the process,” Joe shared. “But until it’s finished, it’s hard to say what it will become, and frankly, I want it to be a surprise. We’re putting our all into this—every ounce of love and energy—because we want this album to be meaningful and impactful. Our goal is to take a significant step forward, both in songwriting and quality.”
Although the album has been in development for some time, Gojira’s popularity has surged, especially after their high-profile performance at the Paris Olympics. They recently released their cover of “Ah, Ça Ira!” on streaming platforms, furthering their growing influence.
Their Olympic performance, which featured fiery visuals and opera singer Marina Viotti, sparked intense reactions online, with some viewers labeling it as “one of the most memorable moments of 2024,” while others dubbed it a “freakshow.” Gojira even had to address accusations of the performance being “satanic.”
Joe responded to the controversy, saying, “It’s French history. It’s French charm—beheaded people, red wine, and blood all over the place. It’s romantic, it’s normal. There’s nothing satanic about it.”
Despite the backlash, the performance significantly boosted Gojira’s streaming numbers, with their monthly listeners increasing by nearly 50% to just under 2.7 million.
Looking ahead, Gojira will headline next year’s Bloodstock festival alongside Trivium and Machine Head, with Joe Duplantier promising fans a brutal performance to close out the event. “Hold on to your socks,” he warned. “It’s gonna be brutal!”
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