Gojira, The Way of All Flesh
There are only a few bands on this orb we call home that have successfully combined the bludgeoning elements of death metal with the more airy influences of progressive metal. Luckily for me, Gojira is one of those bands. With their latest album, the French outfit have made a slight shift from their previous discs, focusing this time around on a more progressive approach to their song writing.
The Way of All Flesh is a well rounded, dynamic album that’s sure to land at the top of many year end lists. Pummeling rhythms intermingle with soulful guitars, progressive keyboard effects and a vicious vocal delivery that fits the overall sound the band has created on this album.
The key to this one, however, is that it truly doesn’t reveal itself after just one listen. I nearly dismissed the release as gimmicky before it took hold of me the third or fourth time around. There’s just so much going on within its depths that there are those that will miss some really innovative metal without giving the album a chance.
Oroborus
The album opener starts off with a memorable and catchy bit of guitar work and steady beat for the first 40 seconds or so before the group settles into a nice groove as the vocals come in. That opening guitar makes an appearance on several occasions throughout the song. The chorus has a melodic edge to it that adds a nice dimension to the band’s sound.
Toxic Garbage Island
The eco-friendly side of the band is really evident on this next track that erupts with big riffs and bruising drums after the calming finish of the album opener. The more aggressive tone is carried through the song as the riffs seem to get beefier as the vocals come in with a bit more vehemence. There are some seriously bludgeoning tempo shifts on this one. It’s a much darker track with a more in your face approach. The song ends with some violent drums and raspier screams.
A Sight to Behold
This one is definitely a bit different than the previous songs. It starts out with some electronic/keyboard rhythms as the vocalizer effected vocals come in. It’s got some catchy guitar work, but it’s got a little too much of a “techno” feel for my liking. I’m digging the message the band is delivering, but not the method. That said there is a great series of riffs, hooks and massive drumming around the 2:50 mark that’ll leave you bruised as the guys shift into full on pummel mode shortly after.
Yama’s Messengers
After the more experimental track, Gojira get back to the basics with massive riffs and crushing rhythms with the start of “Yama’s Messengers.” The opening minute is head banging insanity. I love the drums just after the two minute mark before the band settles back into their cranium cracking groove.
The Silver Cord
“The Silver Cord” starts out with soft guitar and ambiance. This instrumental showcases the band’s prowess and is a nice interlude before the rest of the album.
All the Tears
Pummeling drums and distorted guitars open up this next one along with roaring vocals. There are some brutal blasts of activity throughout that will leave you dazed from repeated blows to the skull. The drum work around the 1:20 mark is bludgeoning with the backing riff work.
Adoration for None
Featuring Lamb of god’s Randy Blythe, “Adoration for None” is full of aggression and frenetic activity. This one is all over the place with guitar squeals, crushing rhythms and layered vocals. Despite the craziness to a few sections of this song, there’s a great groove flowing through it. It’s also one of the harder hitting tracks on the album. I love the burst of activity around the 3:18 mark. The track fades out slowly.
The Art of Dying
“The Art of Dying” starts off with some tribal like morse code and ambient noise that builds for the first minute or so before pummeling rhythms and crushing guitars erupt from the speakers like a tsunami of sound. This continues till around 2:15 when the vocals come in with a different delivery. Shouted vocals are in the distance a bit as things slow down and get thick. This is a pretty damned creative song with a plethora of influences across the metal spectrum.
Esoteric Surgery
After that sludgier approach to their message, Gojia lighten it up a bit with open guitars and double bass as “Esoteric Surgery” gets under way. There are some nice moshing rhythms throughout a track that’s peppered with creative drum work. The groove around the two minute mark is catchy and easy to get into.
Vacuity
Huge drums and wavering guitars get this one off to a thundering start. The vocals are catchy and the beat is infectious. This is a great track with a huge anthemic feel. There’s a nice flurry of activity just before the three minute mark with driving drums that transitions into chugging guitars and a steady rhythm.
Wolf Down the Earth
There’s some slick guitar work in the opening moments of this next song before the group settles in to a bruising pace with heavy drums and driving riffs. There is a boat load of bludgeoning going on throughout this one as heard in the bass lines and drum blasts. There’s a nice slowdown around 2:40 that’s pretty damned catchy. The track ends with some ambient noise and calmness before exploding into the final track.
The Way of All Flesh
The title track starts out aggressively with bruising drums and crushing guitar work. The vocals have a more urgent feel at the band progresses through the track. There’s a some good groove to this one, as well. I can see why they named the album after this song — it’s a monster full of drama, aggression and tempered by just the right amount of melody. Great way to end the disc.
~ ~ ~
I think I’ve finally seen the light with this band. I hadn’t really gotten into them in the past, but I’ll be damned if I don’t jump on their bandwagon now. The Way of All Flesh is an incredible album full of depth, creativity and passion — let’s not forget bruising rhythms and powerful message either. Gojira should be at the top of your list for best acts this year.
Favorite Tracks:
All of them
Additional Notes:
N/A