Gojira frontman Joe Duplantier recently reflected on the band’s creative process and equipment choices. He revealed that their distinctive sound was never intentionally crafted to be original, as reported by Guitar World.
The guitarist discussed his studio setup and the band’s approach to creating their groundbreaking album “From Mars To Sirius” during the interview.
When asked about his rig in the studio, Duplantier explained his equipment journey and the band’s creative mindset.
“I’d love to say it doesn’t matter and you can do anything with whatever, but it was my Jackson SLS,” Duplantier said. “They weren’t on my radar before, but we were broke at the time. So when Jackson asked if we wanted free guitars the answer was, ‘F*ck yeah!'”
He continued discussing their amplifier choices and evolution over time.
“I used them for years until I got curious,” he said. “Jackson was a big part of our lives. We had Mesa/Boogies on The Link, but switched to Peavey 5150s because a lot of metal bands were using them for crushing tones.”
Duplantier then addressed the common perception about Gojira’s innovative approach to metal music.
“We were not trying to be original,” he explained. “Everyone thinks we were trying to invent something new – but we just wanted to sound fat and modern. The album (‘From Mars To Sirius’) ended up original because we were weird French guys from a village with no scene.”
These comments provide valuable insight into the creative process behind one of metal’s most celebrated albums. The record has continued to influence the genre two decades after its release.
Wikipedia noted that “From Mars To Sirius” was released in 2005 as a concept album addressing environmental themes and the rebirth of a dead planet. The album blended heavy metal with melodic and thematic complexity that set it apart from other releases of its era. The band self-produced the record in their own Studio des Milans. Drum recordings were completed at Le Florida, creating an intimate yet expansive soundstage that helped shape the album’s distinctive character.
The album’s impact on the metal community has been substantial and enduring. Riffology reported that the record was later ranked among Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Metal Albums of All Time, cementing its status as a genre-defining work. The songwriting on the album emphasized more interludes and melodies than the band’s previous efforts. Gojira strived to produce an emotional and atmospheric journey that incorporated space for calm and variation amidst heavier sections.
Duplantier also revealed the accidental origins of one of his most recognizable techniques during the same interview period. The pick scrape—a scraping of the guitar pick along the string—was first unintentionally created during a live performance. It later became a signature element on “From Mars To Sirius.”
“I can’t believe it became a thing,” he said. “It was born by mistake on The Link tour… By the time we recorded From Mars To Sirius, the pick scrape ended up everywhere and became my thing.”
This combination of intentional sound choices and accidental discoveries contributed to a sound that was both fresh and impactful in the metal genre. The organic development of Gojira’s distinctive approach demonstrates how authenticity and experimentation can create lasting artistic influence, even when originality isn’t the primary goal.
