The Way of All Flesh is available now - Click here to download it from iTunesLet's be honest for a moment. I would not be the person who would hear the new Gojira album is coming out and lose my mind. Turns out the guys in Papa Roach ARE those people - so when I was hanging out at the music video shoot for their upcoming video and they were talking about how much they can't wait for the new Gojira I became intrigued. I instantly sent a note to Monica, one of the coolest publicists on the planet who handles rediculously experimental bands as well as some huge name artists giving her an extremely awesome roster that I hope to present to you on a regular basis.
History aside, let me say that following artists you like and their influences and pleasure-listening is a great way to find new music. Jacoby and I have somewhat similar tastes, we both grew up on punk and metal, Mr. Bungle and Faith No More, and came of age sometime around the Rap Rock era. So when he was raving about Gojira, I knew it was something to follow.
The Way of All Flesh is a fairly extreme metal record - Gojira is considered one of the most extreme French bands. It is a record, however, that I can honestly recommend to anyone who likes their rock with a groove. Yes, you have to get over ominous and growling vocals, and a general lack of melody throughout, but hooks are abound in grooves and guitar lines. On my first full listen to the record, I put my earphones on and started playing Texas Hold 'Em on my iPhone - 45 minutes later I had experienced much of the album and never once been bored.
What keeps the record interesting and listenable, despite that it is generally VERY extreme, is that it is never over-the-top extreme. The screams are not full-on screams but more sinister drones. The lyrical content is thoughtful and thought provoking, decrying the human races unfortunate treatment of our home planet - The Way of All Flesh is to death, but this record is written in the sadness of death by our own hands rather than rejoicing in death as many metal bands choose to do.
Whenever I write a review, I like to ask myself, who is this record for? This record is for people who like fairly extreme metal and perhaps have a penchant for some industrial, but who want a break from senseless screaming and violence and would prefer to spend some time with some more thoughtful headbanging.
