French heavy metal quartet Gojira took their name from the original Japanese pronunciation of Godzilla, moving from obscurity to global recognition. Their music, blending thrash, death, math, groove, progressive, and post-metal genres, gained mainstream success with albums like L’Enfant Sauvage, Magma, and Fortitude. Hailing from Bayonne, France, the band comprised of Joe Duplantier, Christian Andreu, Jean-Michel Labadie, and Mario Duplantier, started with demos in 1996 and released their first album Terra Incognita in 2000 independently.
Despite initial challenges, Gojira’s unique sound attracted attention, leading to European tours and festival appearances. Subsequent albums like From Mars to Sirius and The Way of All Flesh further solidified their reputation in the metal scene. Signing with major label Roadrunner, the release of L’Enfant Sauvage marked a significant milestone, followed by the Grammy-nominated Magma and the versatile Fortitude, showcasing their evolution and musical prowess.