GOJIRA’s JOE DUPLANTIER Talks Representing Metal & “Satanic” Performance At The Olympics

If you have not heard by now, Gojira performed the opening of the Paris Olympics and it was superb. Gojira drummer Mario Duplantier has since expressed his gratitude in an Instagram submit, whereas frontman Joe Duplantier had fairly a bit extra to say in an interview with Rolling Stone.

Duplantier touched on the truth that the Olympic Committee might’ve chosen any greater steel band to carry out the tune “Ah! Ça ira”, and why Gojira was most likely the best selection by way of capturing the world’s consideration.

“I attempt to not suppose an excessive amount of about that as a result of it continues to blow my thoughts [laughs]. The Olympic Committee might have requested actually anyone to play. I am considering of bands like Metallica or AC/DC which are family names and powerhouses in our style that all of us revere and are our heroes. We by no means thought-about ourselves the largest band on this planet that might be worthy to play the Olympics or something like that. It is so bizarre.

“The best way I give it some thought is it is a problem in 2024 to present hope to folks, to indicate one thing unique. Folks have seen the whole lot from touchdown on the moon to A.I. So it was a problem for Paris and the Committee to specific one thing contemporary, new, and unique [by booking us] and likewise present what France is all about.

“A minimum of for our half, the truth that steel and opera had by no means been seen collectively on TV and in entrance of so many individuals earlier than is a press release for the nation of France. It’s saying, ‘Hey, look. We’re nonetheless pushing the boundaries on this planet.’ So congrats to France for placing this collectively.”

Duplantier additionally needed to sadly tackle the entire “Satanism” factor in the identical interview. If you have not been paying consideration, the Parisian Olympics Committee is at the moment below hearth by Christians for 2 issues – a “satanic” efficiency by Gojira even though the entire thing was a tribute to the French Revolution, and that “Ah! Ça ira” is a tune about unity; and a tribute to the Greek God Dionysus that is being referred to as a mockery of The Final Supper (it isn’t).

“It is none of that. It is French historical past. It is French allure, you recognize, beheaded folks, pink wine, and blood everywhere — it is romantic, it is regular. There’s nothing satanic [laughs]. France is a rustic that made a separation between the state and faith throughout the revolution. And it is one thing essential, very pricey to the inspiration of republican France. We name it laïcité. It is when the state will not be spiritual anymore, so due to this fact it is free by way of expression and symbolism. It is all about historical past and details. We do not look too shut carefully at symbolism by way of faith.”