Lister

By Emil Svendsen
Translated by Tanja Cim Olesen

Gojira is known as a pro-organic metal band. But this is actually not the most important thing, front man Joe Duplantier explains.

”The media is always focusing on that side of the story. And we do believe that it is important for people to understand that we are alone on a small planet in an infinite space. We can’t go elsewhere, so we have to take care of the Earth. But that is just one side of Gojira. The other and more important side concerns the question of who we are as human beings: Are we all gone when we die, or does the spirit and memories live on. That kind of questions. It is in fact a quest for finding one’s true self.”

Small efforts matter
Why the relation to the outside world plays an important role in this spiritual connection, Duplantier explains in this way:

”It all starts with a positive change within yourself. In a way, what you do to yourself, you also do to the rest of the world. For instance, if you show respect for another human being, you have saved the world a little. With all the violence and destruction in the world today it’s important that we do something. We behave as silly children and it is time that we grow up and move on to the next level.”

Positive contributions
The intention of saving the world on a small scale constitutes an important element in Gojira’s music.

”Our intention is to be part of a good vibe and this is present everywhere: in the riff, the tone, the harmony and the intro, and we want to be a part of the solution instead of the problem."

Duplantier is fully aware of the fact that he is not the first one to realise that by changing yourself you contribute to changing the world. In that connection he mentions, among others, Martin Luther King and Gandhi. But he still thinks it is important that we remind each other of this fact even though it’s been said many times before. So important that it counterbalances the environmental problems of being a metal band that tours all over the world.

”We do consume a lot of energy by flying around the world, but we believe that we can make positive contributions by sharing our ideas. That is our way of fighting for a better world."