Gojira- Fortitude Album of the Year!

Before listening to this album, the only albums I heard in the Gojira catalog were L’Enfant Sauvage and Magma. But even with only hearing those albums, I could say with complete confidence that this band is something special. Their latest release, Fortitude, is no exception to this! In fact, I love this band even more now. If someone asked me to describe the album in three words, I’d tell them it’s Artsy, Diverse, and Intense. Whoever listens to it is in for a wild ride! It’s not Gojira’s heaviest, but I think that’s a good thing. Good music does not always have to be heavy, and this album proves that statement. It’s sound has a dark melody-driven atmosphere full of exotic sounds and with layers as complex as an onion. Mad props to whoever produced this album!

Born for One thing- Starts album off with a strong, heavy intro full of colorful baselines. I think it’s a good summary of where the band stands/what we get in the album. Love the layers of the song. Bass and drum tracks stand out with the vocals kind of more in the background but in a way that works. AWESOME breakdown at the end. 5/5

Amazonia- So artsy with the effects and didgeridoo! I feel like I’m on a journey in an exotic, native, natural land surrounded by thick green rainforest. Very guitar-driven. Definitely the most experimental song on the album. 5/5

Another World- Driven by very colorful guitar riffs. Vocals are watered down and a little too repetitive for my taste on the verses/chorus, but not bad! The 2:00-2:40 mark is beautiful and brings back that natural feel from the previous song. 3/5

Hold On- Amazing intro! Beautiful vocals. The layering of them fills the room like a choir. The drums are very simple, but compliment the vocals nicely and drive the song. As the song transitions to the verses, the intensity kicks up and leaves the listener on the edge of their seat. Love the solo at the 3:30 mark, which builds up to the amazing final verse. Its all over the place, but in a very beautiful melodic way with very heavy and overdriven bass. My Beautiful, beautiful melody! 5/5

New Found- The verses are nothing too new or exciting from Gojira, but the chorus is what makes this song beautiful. The guitars have a gorgeous melodic pattern, but the vocals against the rhythm of the bass and drums is chaotic, and creates interest! Love that the chorus at the 3:55 mark is just vocals and guitar stripped down. 5/5

Fortitude- Very fitting interlude! Stripped down and full of tribal-sounding drums and tambourine action. I feel like I am back in the same setting of Amazonia but sitting around a fire. The vocals are very simple compliment everything going on. 5/5

The Chant- Super catchy! The vocals carry on from the previous track but with a full band driving them and the bass being the driver of the song. Again, the bass is very overdriven here and I love that! The vocals get a little repetitive, but not bad. I think a little more variation in them would bring the song to the next level though. 4/5

Sphinx- Heavy and full of amazing guitar sweeps! Love it! To me, this song is what the definition of Metalcore is. The vocals are the perfect blend of the deep growls with soulful cleans. My only critique is that the mix sounds a little flat and it takes away from the growls. I think the layers could have been separated a little more. 4/5

Into the Storm- THIS IS THE SONG OF THE YEAR!!! It’s a banger! I think it shows the band’s best abilities. It’s intensity level matches my ideal level of intensity and gives me goosebumps. The chorus is stunning and full of emotion. The overall atmosphere it has is very moving and...my eyes are watering. Is someone chopping onions in here? 10/5 broke my scale!

The Trails- Hauntingly beautiful and chaotic! Love the loud whispers against the spine-chilling melodies of the band throughout and the varying jumps of intensity and delay that happen during the outro. 5/5

Grind- They saved the heaviest for last! This is a total circle pit/mosh song! The verses are very reminiscent of New Found, but not in a way that repeats New Found. That same level of chaotic melody is present. Love the pockets of the song where it’s just the band because they are so artsy-sounding. 5/5

Final thoughts: LOVE IT! To me, this is the album of the year and at the bear minimum, please give Into the Storm a listen. I think this album was the perfect follow up to Magma and I am super stoked to see these guys live this summer. If the album sounds this good recorded, I can only imagine what its tracks would sound like live! 10.2/10