GOJIRA Frontman: 'We Wanted To Go For Something More Crushing, Direct And Simple'

Sonic Dice conducted an interview with guitarist/vocalist Joseph Duplantier of French progressive metallers GOJIRA at the Norwich stop of the band's recent U.K. tour. A couple of excerpts from the interview follow below.

Sonic Dice: How did you go about writing the "The Way Of All Flesh"?

Joseph: My brother and I wrote it mostly, just jamming together. It was directly after the last tour which lasted three years. It was very, very intense and we did a lot of promotion. So when we came back to France we knew that we wanted to do an album fast and quick. We were tired of playing the same songs, so we were like, "We need to compose it now!" As main composers, Mario and I went straight to work while the other two went back to their families and had a vacation.

Sonic Dice: Did you have any initial intentions when you came to record the album?

Joseph: Yes, we wanted to go in the direction of something powerful. I like dirty sounds, you can feel the acoustics of the drums in the room, but for this album we wanted to go for something more crushing, direct and simple. In the end, it's pretty epic though, so not that simple. I think there are too many songs. I would take off one or two.

Sonic Dice: Out of interest, which two?

Joseph: I don't know! [Laughs] It's very hard. Maybe "Wolf Down The Earth". I love that song, but it's just a bit too long.

Sonic Dice: And France now has it's own metal festival, Hellfest. Has that affected the scene at all?

Joseph: Somehow, yes. For the first time there is something that is happening that is known outside of France. They are still learning how to deal with such big headliners. The organization is difficult. We are one of the first metal bands in France to be able to go and play in the States and the U.K. Not just one gig, but 100 gigs. We have to learn by ourselves because no one has done it before. Non-metal bands have, like DAFT PUNK or JUSTICE. But now with Hellfest, yes. Something is rising in France.

Sonic Dice: You're on the bill for Hellfest, right before SOULFLY!

Joseph: Yes, that's right. Exactly. I'll see Max again. He's such a sweet guy. I'll be very happy to meet him again. He will probably tell me about the next CAVALERA CONSPIRACY album.

Sonic Dice: Yes, you played on their first album. Is it one of your priorities to make sure you're a part of that again?

Joseph: Er, no. I was honoured to be part of the project, but if we've got something going on with GOJIRA that will be my number one priority. It's the project of my life! But if I have time, I'd be honored.

Read the entire interview at www.sonicdice.com.