It’s been almost 4 years since L’Enfant Sauvage came out. Much has changed for me, but not for Gojira, a band with their own unique identity who still speed forward in an ocean of metal bands. It shares the sea with the rest of music where everyone sounds the same and no one dares ostracization. 2016 feels like a continuation of an unsatisfying era saturated in sameness. A time where “they” don’t make good music anymore. It’s easy to fall into this camp. I walk back and forth between the two. One will find Gojira in the optimistic camp that says great, not just good, music can be found if you look hard enough. One said says the ocean seems infinite, while the other says dive below to surface and search. In 2016, great music is rarely accessible. You must scourer Bandcamp, Soundcloud, and know the right people online to find new something before it’s corrupted.
So far Gojira hasn’t been compromised. Maybe I sound pessimistic but I’m prepared to be disappointed again, and again. I assume eventually a band will get lazy, attempt to become more accessible, or commit the worst artistic crime. Selling-out. These are my fears and the fears of many. I can celebrate an artist’s success under the right circumstances. Maybe I should just grow up and get over my standards. Success is tough to achieve, no matter what. I had a shot at doing music full time once so I’ve seen how the business works. Most “artists” these days are motivated by fortune and fame. Our American society conditions us to do so. I don’t blame some of my former peers for chasing that dream. I get it. To earn a high level of success it takes more than just luck. It’s no accident Gojira has continued enjoying their fruits of labor. They have kept my interest and delighted the artistic world with their new single.
“Stranded” sounds repetitive, something new from the band, but realizes its purpose in making you remember it. The gatling chug riff combined with the basic but certain drum beat can’t be denied. Like “Enter Sandman” and “Blood and Thunder” you put down the sandwich, stop whatever else you’re doing, and bang your head. The lyrics are quite mysterious. They deviate from what I’m used to with no mention of whales or the dying ecosystem. It seems personal in nature yet it reveals very little. “Don’t lock the door on me” is the line that stays with me. I can gather the same sentiment. As a whole this single packs the right punch for me and for the band’s endeavors. I look forward to seeing how similar or contrasting it sounds from the rest of the album. This initial tease should hold up until Magma drops on June 17th.
Disaesthetic 