Gojira - L'Enfant Sauvage

French metal band Gojira have certainly come a long way, and with their 5th studio album L'Enfant Sauvage this group have cemented their status as one of the big pioneers of modern day metal. With the 2005 release From Mars To Sirius I always thought it would be impossible to top that near perfect album, but they have come closer than I ever expected with this. It's now 2012 and it's no secret that metal has evolved and changed with each band trying different things to stay away from the dreaded and mostly boring 'Deathcore' label. But Gojira have no need to worry about that because they are one of the most innovative and interesting Metal acts in the world right now.

There newest album is their debut release after signing to Roadrunner Records and although we at first expected an EP release, they have dropped a bomb on us all with L'Enfant Sauvage (The Wild Child). In my opinion and many others I'm sure, them signing to a major label has not affected their heaviness or presentation at all. It's all still there and it's the Gojira we all know and love. The album starts of just as the name of the song reads, Explosia. With punishing drums from Mario Duplantier, who I think is one of the best and more interesting modern day drummers along with Brann Dailor of Mastodon. The riffs on here are absolutely superb and at no point do they become boring or repetive. The Axe is one of the stand out tracks with a riff so catchy and heavy you just can't help getting lost in its intoxicating sound and will have you hitting the repeat button. It's not as experimental or progressive as their previous album 'The Way Of All Flesh' and it doesn't get lost or go off track. The title track and Liquid Fire were the two songs myself and fans got to hear before the albums release and are both songs that will stay in your head and definitely become Gojira greats. One of the other things that impressed me on this album was the well written song structure and the thought out choruses. They make songs such as Born In Winter and Liquid Fire, both with catchy choruses but still remaining heavy and not losing any of their signature elements. The pick slides are here in fine form which I enjoy immensely. On past Gojira albums they have usually reached the sixty to seventy minute mark, but with L'Enfant Sauvage just clocking in at over fifty minutes I think it makes each song more memorable and will have you listening repeatedly.

I recommend this album very highly and I can say officially it's my pick for album of the year 2012. This band is certainly not for everyone much like Meshuggah and I can kind of see why, but this release may very well convert alot of the doubters out there. It doesn't beat 'From Mars To Sirius' and I don't think they were trying to, but in the future this album will definitely still be one of the finest efforts from this great modern day metal success story. For fans of crushing riffs, atmospheric and dark elements, unrelenting and heavy drums all mixed together with massive and rather underrated vocals from Joe Duplantier. This album is worth every cent and will be getting high rotation for quite some time.

Standout tracks: The Axe, Liquid Fire, The Gift Of Guilt, Born In Winter.

9/10