Durf's Weekly Workout # 16: May 7, 2021

When I first decided to do this post every week, the idea was simple: I wanted to listen to more music than I had in years past, and I wanted to write more.  Durf's Weekly Workout is literally just the easiest way for me to do both, incorporating music and writing into my already daily routine of working out.  So now that it's been almost four months, I figured it was time for a check-in from me/update for you on how that's all working out.

As of April 30th, I had listened to 164 albums, EPs, splits, and singles; by the time you read this, there's a very solid chance that I've surpassed my 2020 total of 176 albums listened to.  So it's hard to complain about anything there.  I was curious when I began this quest as to whether or not increasing my musical intake would just lead to my listening to more trash, but quite the opposite has happened.  Sure, there's been a few duds, but the amount of solid or great music that I've listened to this year is almost overwhelming.  My fears of not finding anything new by listening to more music appear to be as dumb as they sound; there is SO MUCH great music being produced right now, and so it makes perfect sense that listening to more music in general would reveal more of that great stuff to me.  I've also become a lot more open to a few genres (hello, grindcore!) that I've normally shied away from, which is definitely a cool feeling.

New Gif: Gojira - "From Mars to Gifius"

Check out more of our gifs on our gif page!

- Mick

We'll Do It Live Fridays: Gojira - "A Sight to Behold"

It's been a long, long time since we've done one of these, but the time is right for a return.  We know you can find live performances of bands anywhere and everywhere on the internet now, and we appreciate you watching this one here.  Have a great weekend; we'll be back next week.

Gojira - Magma

If you're reading this review and already know of Gojira, chances are good that Gojira doesn't need to prove anything to you anymore. While simultaneously being one of the most impressive live metal bands on the planet, they have also crafted an ever-evolving discography that's filled to the brim with more heavy rhythms and unique guitar slides than you could ever know what to do with (I guess except headbang to). 2005's From Mars to Sirius was a pinnacle for the band; showing that progressively minded compositions and destructively heavy metal stylings don't have to be mutually exclusive. Magma, however, showcases the band going back to square one, in some respects. Their latest offering still has its heavy moments, but it's evident that the overall emphasis is placed on the simplifying the rhythmic tendencies that have contributed to the foundation Gojira's sound since their inception.

Albums of the Year, Then and Now (2008-2012)

Welcome to Part II of my retrospective look at my top albums from past years, where I see if they still hold that lofty position or have fallen prey to the ravages of time.  If you missed Part I, where I looked at albums from 2003-2007, check it out here.  If you’re ready to continue and see the albums from 2008-2012, then onward to the Time Machine!

Exclusive Interview: Mario Duplantier (Gojira)

Gojira opening for Slayer is a show that Durf and I felt, as metal fans, we were obligated to go see. Luckily enough, we were also able to catch up with Mario Duplantier, Gojira's drummer, beforehand. We chatted with Mario about his thoughts on the current tour, their latest album, the French metal scene, and much more. Check the interview out after the break!

Review: Gojira - L'Enfant Sauvage

There's a certain aura that radiates from Gojira that is at once both staggering and esoteric. The niche the Frenchmen have carved for themselves has the tell tale signs of workmanship from a truly groundbreaking act; often imitated, never duplicated. Their growth from underground darlings to groove metal superheroes has been an exercise in understanding what it is that the heavy music world wants from its torchbearers.  But therein lies the enigmatic position which Gojira currently hold; where do vanguards turn next when their contemporaries have adopted the now auspicious template that they themselves have woven? The answer is modestly self evident; back to the wild where they found their ingenuity in the first place. And that's precisely what Joe and Mario Duplantier and company have done with L'Enfant Sauvage, which shows that even veteran pathfinders find themselves toiling to find their footing in the infantile stages of a new sojourn.

Read the rest after the jumpy.

We'll Do It Live Fridays: The Whales Have Come Back (Again)

There's no real specific rhyme or reason as to why Gojira is making a repeat appearance on our infamous WDILF posts, other than the fact that their live performances are second to none.  While listening with another friend to their newest track from the upcoming Sea Sheperd ep, "Of Blood And Salt" (which features the likes of Devin Townsend and Fredrik Thordendal), my friend made a very astute observation about their music in general.  "I feel like if I were listening to it while fighting a bear, I'd win."  Truer words probably have never been spoken.

I dare you to watch the live vid after the break and tell me that it doesn't get your adrenaline flowing at least a little bit.

Oh Boy, There's a New Gojira Track......Let the Headbanging Commence

So let's first rejoice in the fact that we now have a brand new Gojira track to viciously headbang to.  Secondly, let's rejoice even more that Devin Townsend and Fredrik Thordendal (Meshuggah guitarist) are guests on it.  This track will be featured on Gojira's upcoming ep, Sea Sheperd, which still has yet to receive an official release date.  The benefits of that ep will go entirely towards an anti-whaling organization named Sea Sheperd.

-Mick