Looking at the history of metal music, we see how some bands have shaped the genre both musically and thematically. Black Sabbath’s rise in the 1970s was groundbreaking in both music and visuals. Today, Gojira seems to be following a similar path after their performance at the Olympics. So, is Gojira the modern-day Black Sabbath?
In this article, we will explore the similarities between the early careers of these two bands.
The Rise and The ‘Satanic’ Image Of Black Sabbath
When Black Sabbath formed in Birmingham in 1968, they quickly stood out with their music and stage shows. Their dark and heavy sound included eerie church bells, powerful riffs, and Ozzy Osbourne’s haunting vocals. This sound gave them a ‘demonic’ and ‘satanic’ reputation.
The band’s self-titled song and album were packed with demonic themes and eventually became a big part of their identity. It also backed up the ‘satanic’ claims, along with their other album covers such as ‘Born Again,’ ‘Sabbath Bloody Sabbath’ and ‘Mob Rules.’
Gojira And The Dark Side Of Metal
Gojira was founded in Bayonne, France, in 1996. The band’s music is known for its technical complexity. As opposed to Black Sabbath, Gojira focuses more on environmental issues and problems. Like Black Sabbath, Gojira’s music creates a dark and intense atmosphere, and this similarity appears in both their stage performances and their music.
The French band’s recent performance at the Olympics 2024 has been described as ‘satanic’ by some viewers. People claimed that they were ‘forcing’ people their satanic beliefs and rituals.
Still, the two bands have many similarities to each other.
The Differences And Similarities
Both Black Sabbath and Gojira have a dark and intense musical style. Black Sabbath’s heavy riffs and Gojira’s technical mastery have a similar effect on listeners.
When it comes to the satanism image, both bands have been seen in a similar light—Black Sabbath in their early years and Gojira more recently. Black Sabbath reinforced this image with their lyrics and album covers, while Gojira’s stage performances and themes caused similar reactions.
Black Sabbath often addresses existential and religious themes in their lyrics, while Gojira talks about environmental and social issues. Even though they cover different topics, both bands make an impact with their deep and thought-provoking lyrics.
Today, Gojira stands out as one of the most influential and innovative bands in modern metal. Much like Black Sabbath did in the 1970s, Gojira is pushing the limits of metal music. It’s possible that one day Gojira could be remembered as a legend just like Black Sabbath.
