So, Gojira won the Grammy for the Best Metal Performance category this year, and they totally deserved it.
Now, I think that Metal, as a genre, is overlooked entirely. It’s misunderstood by those who are not a part of the community, and there is a lot that those people are missing out on.
I am one of those kids whose Momma has always detested my hobby and interest in such “Ugly Things.” We used to argue (more like intensely discuss) about it a lot and still do sometimes. But I have always understood my Momma and why she doesn’t like it. It IS ugly, and that’s why people like me think it’s fun!
It’s different
It’s Counter Culture
It’s provocative
It’s Punk’s younger and louder baby brother
These “ugly” genres, as Momma would call them, make those who feel outside of the culture feel welcome and like they belong somewhere. It makes you feel like you aren’t alone and like you have a place that’s just as valid as the Pop Girlies. That was certainly my experience when I found Metal, Goth, and Punk, respectively.
I’m not going to sit here and act as though the metal community is a saint-full community that everyone should jump into head first, but I will stand by the music is made and the valid creative expression that it is. There are extremes on all sides, always, and unfortunately, those big stereotypes get attached to things, and it then takes a long time for those who are NOT a part of the problem to detach from it. This is true within any group of people. On either side of the extreme, you have those who live in the middle and love it there, but hate that they are still roped into the REAL ugly that can exists within the culture.
But I believe there is more to metal, I always have, and this is where I bring us back to the point: Gojira
Gojira has been one of my favorite metal bands for years. I have followed them closely and seen them perform twice now. The first time was in 2023 on their tour with Mastodon and Lorna Shore, and the second was in 2024 with Spiritbox helping to support Korn. Both performances were incredible and loads of fun. The chops heard on the records stand strong in a live setting and create such a moving experience for those fans who know them. Walking away from those shows, I overheard concert goers discussing the band and how they’ve now got to hear more.
“Gojira is a French metal band that fucks…”
-tends to be my elevator pitch to those with a vague interest.
I think Gojira is pretty much the perfect example of a metal band that people believe is hateful or mean in some way purely because the genre they work in is Metal. But this couldn’t be farther from the truth. Gojira, writes music that play in the technical, thrash, death and progressive metal genres, but the subjects of these songs are almost exclusively about the environment and how we need to take care of the planet we live on. Flying Whales is the iconic and easiest example of this, as well as Ocean Planet off of their 2005 album From Mars to Sirius. Personally, my favorite song by the group has always been The Gift of Guilt from their album L’Enfant Sauvage, as the lyrics speak to living with incessant and plaguing guilt, but making the choice to leave it behind and let this guilt go and move forward to be a better and free person.
SO Gojira is a French metal band that fucks. It’s true, but what they did in 2024 to earn their Grammy Nomination and win is so much bigger than I think some people realize.
Of course, we all know and love the nominees Judas Priest and Metallica. But the “new” kids on the block include Poppy, Knocked Loose, Spirtbox, and Gojira. (I say “new kids” because these groups have been around for forever but haven’t necessarily been in the mainstream spotlight for very long at all. Especially considering Metallica won’t get out of the way. Don’t get me wrong, I love Metallica, I always have and always will. They are so important to myself and the music world as a whole, but…come on.)
Anyway, I’ve been a diehard fan of Poppy and Knocked Loose since I was in high school, same with Spiritbox now that I think about it. I watched Poppy perform her song EAT at the 63rd Grammy Awards, and have seen her live a few times as well. I have also seen Knocked Loose live, and I remember when A Different Shade of Blue dropped. (it was lit) These artists’ collaboration and their further performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! were extremely exciting for the metal scene. Watching both Poppy and lead singer Bryan Garris do heavy screaming vocals on live TV? There couldn’t be anything cooler than that right?!
Except there was… Gojira
Gojira contributed to the opening ceremonies of the 2024 Olympic Games held in Paris.
Ok, I’m sorry do I need to say that differently?
Gojira helped open the Olympics in Paris.
Nope you still don’t get it.
GOJIRA, the FRENCH METAL band, PERFORMED during the opening ceremonies for the Olympics that were TAKING PLACE in THEIR HOME COUNTRY, France.
NOT ONLY did this band perform at the Olympics held in their home country, but they were also performing their own version of the rebellion song Ça Ira. Mind you, all of this takes place while the band members are on the side of a huge historic building that, at one point, held the trialing and sentencing of Mari Antoinette herself. While Gojira performed, imagery of Antoinette’s death was on display on the building as well, fueling the tone of rebellion and strength among the common people of a nation, that France is so closely associated and familiar with.
All of this is to say that a metal band opening for the Olympics is the very definition of Music History being made. I remember I was actively ignoring an extremely important lecture so I could watch this happen live.
I don’t think I need to mention again just how much the Metal genre is out of the mainstream; you all know and agree with that. Metal, being front page news worldwide, taking place on the world’s stage?
Right, and that’s not grammy-worthy.
Just Music 
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