Gojira Were So Extremely Metal For Their 2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony Performance That Made History

Uproxx ^ | July 26, 2024 | Josh Kurp

[DoodleBob]

Lady Gaga put on quite the show at the 2024 Olympics opening ceremony in Paris, but you know what it was missing? Pyrotechnics, headless women in a castle, and a boat carrying an opera singer. Enter: Gojira. The group became the first metal band to ever perform during the opening ceremonies. They were chosen because a) they’re French, and b) they put on a sick show.

The band — made up of vocalist Joe Duplantier, drummer Mario Duplantier, lead guitarist Christian Andreu, and bassist Jean-Michel Labadie — played a cover of “Ah! Ca Ira,” a song that was popular during the French Revolution. “It was a very bloody era of French history, so it was very metal,” Joe told The New York Times, adding that the band wanted to represent “the whole metal community on the world stage.” They succeeded — and found a new fan in Kelly Clarkson, who hosted the ceremony. “This is so cool,” she raved.

You can watch the performance below

This part of #OpeningCeremony with French band Gojira was badass 🤘 pic.twitter.com/v6dWDorPM0

…

According to Forbes, only a select few rock bands — let alone metal bands — have performed during the opening ceremony, including Kiss (2002); Alanis Morisette (2010); and Snow Patrol, The Who, Paul McCartney, and Muse, all in 2012. Could the Super Bowl halftime show be next for Gojira?!

[Tijeras_Slim]

Jim McKay is rolling over in his grave.

[Danie_2023]

“But one must guard against being scrupulous. Not every performance with blood etc is Beelzebub. These elements you cite in the Gojira performance hold for Wagner and AC/DC and Alice Cooper and Iron Maiden and a few horror punk bands like The Undead more, which (as far as I can tell) aren’t demonic. Especially Alice and Bobby Steele who are both religious guys. Really.”

Yeah, well... all that aside... when I see a band, ANY band, playing in front of a façade of a building with special effects that looks like fire shooting up (hellfire, perhaps?) and blood sprayed all over it ... even if it’s just red smoke, I tend to look at it as Demonic. Call me crazy. I realize that they’re harkening back to one of THE most bloodiest points in French history with the beheaded Marie Antoinette and all, but .... I have to ask. WHY???

Even the guy on this YouTube video called it ....a wicked, firey set...

Video - 1:14

https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=gojira+olympic+performance&mid=F32A02800FBCF219339AF32A02800FBCF219339A&FORM=VIRE

“Dr.Deth nailed it: I’m not aware of the band being overtly satanic or anything; they are overtly French. And while they may not be your cup of tea, I’ll take them over Beyoncé.”

My least favorite music genre is heavy metal, next to gangsta rap. Beyonce is just as demonic as the rest, so it’s a tossup. I’m not the kind of Christian that condemns most music as evil, but I do see most heavy metal and gangst rap as such. Again, call me crazy. It’s how I see it.

[Tired of Taxes]

Their music sounds like death metal.

[dfwgator]

Close enough.

[dfwgator]

Craig Ferguson was the only decent night time show host since Carson.

[DoodleBob]

FRiend, I’m not saying you’re crazy…

,

Seriously…

I am not French nor do I play a Frenchman on TV. But perhaps the French view their Revolution the same way we view the Civil War. Over here, we have re-enactments and all kinds of war and violence “celebrations.” Personally, I have zero interest watching a re-enactment, let alone being an actor. But those folks seem to love it.

And the Confederate soldiers…welll…they’re obviously klansmen and Nazis. /sarc.

Do I think they’re demonic? Heck no. But I betcha there are people who feel the Confederate re-enactors are racist.

And that is in THIS country. Can you imagine what foreigners think of Confederate re-enactors?

I view that segment of the ceremony as being by French people, for French people. And just as our Confederate re-enactors aren’t klansmen, I don’t think Hojira et al are demonic.

Now, is it PLAUSIBLE there was demonic influence? Sure. But I live in probable most of the time. I also know a bit about Gojira, and at worst they’re environmentalists. And French.

I also know a bit about contemporary metal. Most of it is garbage, but there are some very creative and awesome bands, such as Sabaton which write songs and albums about military history. People think THEY are Nazis etc.

I stay away from the darker bands and that nonsense. They are pretty open about it. They also suck. There is such balance in nature.

I hope this makes sense. God bless you and have a great evening.

[NWFree]

Never heard of them. They look angry

[Army Air Corps]

😂

[chajin]

[sauropod]

Review

[Mermaid Girl]

That was a goofy, fun song. I miss the 80s.

[Danie_2023]

I stay away from the darker bands and that nonsense. They are pretty open about it. They also suck. There is such balance in nature.

I hope this makes sense. God bless you and have a great evening.

Agreed, And yes, it makes sense. You have a great evening, as well.

[Mermaid Girl]

Sigh... I hate edgy for edgy’s sake. Some marketing twit thinks its cool, and it plays to the squares.

I hate being cutting edge.

But... I’m not even watching the great sportsing event.

I’m watching a Jaws marathon. Started with Jaws 3, then Jaws 2 — and am now watching the sublime original movie.

I’m glad I’m in my mid 50s... that I remember the US when it was great... I have more years behind me than ahead of me, thank G-d.

I will do what I can, and I ache for my daughter and what she will face.

All these hip music acts are just so basic as the kids say.
I’m tired of it all.

[Getready]

The Olympics and it’s opening ceremony and even the most of events are absolutely superfluous.
Faster, higher, stronger won’t last as most athletic achievements are approaching asymptotic limits...U. Bolts record in 100 meter dash set in 2009. Flo Jo Griffiths record in 100 meters set in 1988. For sure these records might be broken...maybe by a few hundredth of a second every 20 or 30 years...
Maybe if we added, disrespectful, shocking, and bizarre to the Olympian goals....there might be a few years left in the dog. Ya’think anyone would care about synchronized swimming....except for the participants.. maybe they should add Rockettes kick dancing lines...maybe pole dancing...

[FamiliarFace]

I don’t mind metal in the right place. This performance by Gojira was ill-timed, IMHO. As for Beyoncé, I agree. Whitney Houston was more impactful. However, my opinion matters not. I’m a nobody.

I did enjoy reading your post.

[DoodleBob]

Fret not, FRiend.

My “hobby” is local music. I go out at least once a month to see if there is anything worthwhile. It’s $10 well-spent. And there ARE really good locals, who are hungry and not stupid. Every now and then, you’ll get a band from out of town that is worth your while.

Check out www.bandcamp.com for new, unsigned acts. Here are few that get you 2-points on your license:

https://scottysaintsandthetruebelievers.bandcamp.com/track/devil-at-my-back

https://maxboras.bandcamp.com/track/absolute-power-2

https://paulmauled.bandcamp.com/track/gyroman

https://savagemagicrecords.bandcamp.com/track/drinking-my-life-away

[Mermaid Girl]

Great stuff!! Thank you!

[chuck allen]

Should have been Rush playing their big hit “Bastiile Day.”

[chuck allen]

Bastille Day

Oops

[DoodleBob]

I agree with your “nobody” opinion about Whitney. When that country singer butchered the Anthem a few weeks back because she was hammered, it made me miss Whitney. And she’s not in my catalog.

Thanks for the kind words.