Used as a vehicle for creativity as devastating an effect as death can have on a person I can also become a vessel for inspiration. Four years since the release of the critically acclaimed L’Enfant Sauvage, the band resolved to set about creating their next masterstroke. Unexpectedly brothers Duplantier lost their mother during the process owing for a total overhaul on the entire blueprint of the album. Cherry picking ten songs, each with their own unique attributes Gojira have opened an exploration in death that we are all thankfully privileged to be a part of.
[tracklist]
- The Shooting Star
- Silvera
- The Cell
- Stranded
- Yellow Stone
- Magma
- Pray
- Only Pain
- Lowlands
- Liberation
[/tracklist][details]
[length]44:00[/length]
[record_label]Roadrunner Records[/record_label]
[release_date]June 17th 2016[/release_date]
[/details]
Exploring maturity in their sound with the more minimalist sections in 2012’s L’Enfant Sauvage with Magma the band capitalise on this simplistic element. Debut single “Stranded” being an epitome of all that the the band have achieved so far. Basing itself on a simple riff, yet always retaining an off center moment owing to Mario Duplantier‘s absolutely inspired choice of rhythmic arrangement. Despite his often barren delivery the passion in brother Joe Duplantier‘s voice in the ethereal final passage of the track is enough to raise hairs on even the most stubborn of napes.
Yet this is merely one facet of the band’s sound, opening with a brilliant choice of “The Shooting Star” immediately setting the tone both emotionally and creatively paints a beautiful esoteric backdrop for Magma bookended by the album’s minute closer “Liberation” featuring simple acoustic guitar and African style drums . Ensuring the listener is made comfortable whilst ironically being outside of their comfort zone. Title track “Magma” features inspired use of pinch harmonics creating a mantra like hum coupled with the iron clad riffing that wanders in from time to time flirtatious with melody in its mid section. Baring teeth no doubt at certain points yet the record is infitely accessible whilst retaining Gojira’s faultless integrity. Stemming all the way back to The Link elements of the band’s past have never left yet by creating urgent, refined moments Magma has created another niche that no other band could fill.
Produced by Joe Duplantier the sound on the record is simply exceptional. Giving songs the likes “Silvera” an arid quality without compromise in musical punch. Nevertheless stand out track “Pray” plays with the positioning of contrast makes for the song to be one of the most sonically destructive yet. Beginning with a simple ride tapping before the arrival of ominous distortion before the atom bomb when the band come into full fruition is exactly Gojira’s modus operandi. Understanding themselves as musicians and their cohesive nature as a band has led them to deliver something infinitely accessible and altogether completely transcendental. Pain ridden, honest and truly urgent Magma is Gojira simultaneously exactly how you would expect to sound whilst sounding quite like nothing the band have done before. Tethered to their earthed roots the band have experienced death and with Magma have crossed over the other side and come back to release the album of their career.
[verdict]Yes[/verdict]
[why]Like the sleeping giants of Vesuvius Gojira’s pain, anger and real despondency boils over at times in the most beautiful of fashions. Refined, reworked and reborn Magma cements Gojira’s potential to spearhead the charge into the future.[/why]
If you like what you read / heard then you can pick up the brand new album here!
