In a recent interview with Chuck Armstrong of Loudwire Nights, GOJIRA guitarist and vocalist Joseph Duplantier provided an update on the progress of their upcoming album, the follow-up to 2021’s “Fortitude.” Duplantier shared (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): “I wish I could reveal more… We’re deep into the process, but until it’s finished, it’s difficult to give specifics. Plus, I want to keep it a surprise. We’re dedicated to creating something meaningful and impactful. Our goal is to advance and elevate our sound with this album, pouring all our love and energy into it.”
In other news, GOJIRA’s historic performance at last month’s Olympic Games opening ceremony is now available on streaming services. The French progressive metal band delivered a surprise rendition of “Ah! Ça Ira,” a song from the French Revolution, featuring opera singer Marina Viotti and symbolic beheaded figures representing Queen Marie Antoinette. The performance was staged outside the Conciergerie, the former prison where Antoinette was held before her execution in 1793.
GOJIRA made headlines as the first metal band ever to perform at the Olympics, and their appearance was one of the most discussed moments of the 2024 Summer Games.
Renowned for bringing French rock to a global stage, GOJIRA has been celebrated as one of metal’s most influential bands. Metal Hammer dubbed them “metal’s most important band” in 2016. The band has received three Grammy nominations: twice in 2017 for “Best Metal Performance” and “Best Rock Album” (“Magma”), and once in 2022 for “Best Metal Performance.”
Their album “Fortitude” debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Albums chart in May 2021 and also topped the Top Current Albums, Current Rock Albums, and Current Hard Music Albums charts. It reached No. 12 on the Billboard 200 and achieved high chart positions globally, including No. 2 in France, No. 6 in the United Kingdom, No. 3 in Australia, No. 8 in Germany, No. 2 in Belgium, No. 4 in the Netherlands, No. 3 in Denmark, No. 4 in Portugal, No. 2 in Finland, and No. 10 in Norway.
