Halestorm’s Lzzy Hale recently praised Gojira for their historic performance at the Olympics, marking the first time a metal band took the stage at such a prestigious event. On Instagram, Hale celebrated the moment as a significant achievement for the metal genre:
“What a great moment for metal, rock, heavy music and therefore the world! I want to personally congratulate Gojira on conquering the opening ceremonies of the Olympics. This, for any musician, is a rite of passage we all write down on our conscious and subconscious bucket lists. And traditionally, for a metal artist to receive this honor is very rare. Not only is this a beautiful moment in time for one of my favorite metal acts of the last 20 years…but this is a win for all of us who consider ourselves lifers on the spectrum of this heavy genre. The entire world got to behold the beauty and power of the music we all love. Thank you for holding the torch so high for all of us. LOVE YOU GOJIRA!”
Controversy Surrounding the Performance
Gojira’s performance, which featured a metal rendition of the French Revolutionary song ‘Ah! Ça Ira!’ and included dramatic elements like beheaded figures and a dark tribute to Marie Antoinette, stirred controversy. Critics, including some high-profile figures like Andrew Tate, labeled it as ‘satanic’ and objected to a metal band performing at the Olympics.
Despite the controversy, the performance was well-received by fans and many first-time listeners, highlighting the powerful impact of Gojira’s music on a global stage.
