Apart from hypnotizing stellar music, Gojira stands out in the metal community for bringing environmental issues to the forefront. Their message is brought about by some of the heaviest riffs, the most technical drumming, and insane vocal deliveries. They are also one of the best live bands in metal today. They are unique in the way that their music is pretty heavy but accessible to even casual metal fans. And thus, today we shall take a look at the top 10 songs that manage to capture the essence of the band’s entire discography.
10 Best Gojira Songs
10. Sphinx
Straight from their latest album, Sphinx is reminiscent of Gojira’s older material yet sounds completely fresh. With “Sphinx”, the band keeps things simple with precise palm-muting, heavy choruses, atmospheric breakdowns, the signature guitar scrape, epic drumming, and powerful vocals. It’s a fun song to play as well.
9. Esoteric Surgery
Another banger from start to finish. Like always, Gojira manages to bring out a feeling that feels primal and more in tune with the planet with this fantastic track. It starts with chugging brutal heavy riffs and drums that instantly grab you, and then a change in rhythm takes you soaring up and up into the clouds. Your destination arrives when the music turns atmospheric and puts you into a trance-like state.
8. The Gift of Guilt (Live at Brixton)
Brutally beautiful can be one way to describe this song. It has a beautiful yet haunting and hypnotic melody that plays through the song. The breakdown plunges the song into urgency, and Joe’s cries only amplify the beauty of the song and the sadness it carries. The outro is even more majestic. You should listen to the live version to hear how the vocals carry the song’s intensity.
7. The Heaviest Matter of the Universe
Let loose and dive right in, this is how the song immediately invites you before it melts your face away. And when Joe yells out, “Lay down, fall away”, you do exactly what he tells you to cause this song will blow your minds. Every aspect of the song hits hard. And right before the breakdown, a train of pounding drums, and guitars take you to another level from where you only go higher and higher. And suddenly, you fall away as the signature riff leads to the end of the song.
6. The Art of Dying
This song is full of so many twists and turns, it is one of the greatest pieces of modern metal. The tribal-like percussive beating at the start captures your imagination and then leads you to a beautifully brutal beatdown of the drums and guitars. Suddenly the mood shifts, and you find yourself getting sucked into the verses. At this point, you have no idea where the song will take you. And then bam! Another change. The intensity subdues for a moment and amplifies like never before. The song takes you into a deep trance falling deeper and deeper until another change occurs, and the outro finally brings you up to the surface.
5. L’enfant sauvage
French for “wild child”, L’Enfant Sauvage is a masterpiece. If you were to introduce someone to Gojira, this would be the perfect track. With a slightly groovy, pulsating rhythm, powerful soaring vocals, and a neck-snapping breakdown, the song certainly brings out the animalistic side of any listener.
4. Amazonia
With “Amazonia”, Gojira brings the Amazon crisis to the forefront. The song highlights the sheer devastation of Amazon with furious guitar chugs, a solid instrumental section, and a somewhat dissonant chorus along with beautiful cinematography in the music video. And finally, Joe completes the song with a rallying cry — “The greatest miracle / Is burning to the ground.”
3. Silvera
“Silvera” is an example of how Gojira can dial down their death metal aspect yet sound heavy as hell. The lyrics delve into matters of conformity with varying interpretations. It is pretty atmospheric and urgent in its delivery and carries the trademark percussive staccato attacks grandly.
2. Stranded
Coming off from their 2016 release, Magma, Stranded marks a change in the band’s style of music, with more focus on melody and the incorporation of clean vocal parts. However, it still sounds distinctively like Gojira. The signature guitar squeal, palm-muted alternate pickings, and perfectly in-tune bass and drums, it has everything that makes Gojira who they are.
1. Flying Whale
When it comes to the best Gojira songs, this has to be number one for many fans. It starts with a haunting cry of a whale and then enters into a massive riff with the signature Gojira squeal. An apt opening for From Mars to Sirius, the track has become a majestic anthem for the band. Gojira is almost always identified with whales, and this song has a huge part to play.
Best Gojira Songs
What did you think about our list from this phenomenal band? Would there be anything you’d change? If so, let us know!