Gojira - The Way Of All Flesh - review
Gojira - The Way Of All Flesh - review
Tracklist
01. Oroborus02. Toxic Garbage Island
03. A Sight To Behold
04. Yama's Messengers
05. The Silver Cord
06. All The Tears
07. Adoration For None
08. The Art Of Dying
09. Esoteric Surgery
10. Vacuity
11. Wolf Down The Earth
12. The Way Of All Flesh
A review by
jupitreas October 15, 2008
Gojira plays a hybrid style that seems to be inspired by a number of other bands' music. The angular, rhythmic riffs remind me of Meshuggah and Textures, the clinical drums and precise kick drum work brings to mind Raymond Herrera of Fear Factory, while the fondness for heavy mid-tempo structures echo that provided by many a groove thrash band, including Lamb Of God, the vocalist of which is conveniently featured as a guest performer on "Adoration For None". Those familiar with the forgotten American band Beyond will also pick up an uncanny resemblance between their 1995 album Reassemble and the sound that Gojira pursues on The Way Of All Flesh. This amalgam of influences results in an album that one needs to train themselves to enjoy, a status highlighted by the fact that the album also contains overtly ecological lyrics, which is an approach that not everybody needs to agree with or even find intriguing. Another issue is that the album is not an entirely consistent effort, with some songs being less memorable than others.
With all this said, Gojira still manages to infuse each and every song with some sort of interesting break, riff, groove or otherwise intriguing element. Case in point - "Yama's Messengers", an otherwise quite repetitive and even redundant mid-tempo stomper, is saved by the crescendoing blast beats that appear towards the end of the track. Likewise, the failed attempt at a more robotic sound that can be heard in "A Sight To Behold" is saved by the great breaks featured in this song. Luckily, the vast majority of the remainder of this album is very impressive, with the real excellent tracks being located in the second half. From "The Art Of Dying" till the end, we are treated to an essentially flawless combination of groove and brutality, highlighted by intelligent song writing. These 5 tracks alone will make this album an immense success.
So there we have it - The Way Of All Flesh could certainly use some pruning and more consistency; however, even in its current state it is a more than listenable and powerful record. I think the fans and the curious will be more than happy to overlook the small faults, while I hope that the next album will not contain any at all.
Rating:
10
10
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Rating:
10 |
I wrote in my review of The Link that every Gojira album has a certain atmosphere and feel to it; while the progressive groove/death formula remains, the vibe is ever changing. Well, with The Way Of All Flesh, it doesn't take too long to realize what vibe [band]Gojira are going for: frigid, tundra-like dread. Frontman Joe Duplantier once said in an interview with Total Guitar magazine that the entire album is the band's reflection on the concept of death and its many facets: the taboo of it, the inevitability of it, and the repercussions of it. And considering how doomy and dark much of the record is musically, there's no doubt that this concept had a huge impact on its writing and recording. From the very beginning, the tightly-coiled melodic guitar tapping of "Oroborus" immediately conjures images that suggest both vitality and despair in equal measure, and that's a pattern that continues throughout. But that's not the only tone "Oroborus" sets for the album... it also sets the tone by being an exceptionally high-quality opener for Gojira's best album. Read more ›› |
Comments
Comments:
19
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| hearts_alive
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Posts: 277  |
Posts: 277
good review indeed! i too saw them live 2 weeks ago and i loved it! also this album is excellent! very few flaws as you said and definitely more than listenable. answer to the previous guy's question: he doesn't give ratings to albums anymore cos it is not really necessary, it is more a necessary evil (thats one way of looking at it of course).
---- alive in the superunknown
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Posts: 8004
Excellent review jup! I'm really happy to see an objective review of this album, one that points out its few flaws instead of just raving at how Gojira is so perfect. I for one really enjoy this album - especially the second half, with The Art Of Dying being the real turning point and the highlight of the album - though I can't help but feel a bit disappointed at it. I was expecting something that would surpass From Mars To Sirius, but Gojira failed at it. With this being said, this release is way above the majority of metal albums released this year in terms of songwriting and execution and will certainly be way up in my annual top 10. It just lacks the surprising factor.
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Posts: 16
Nice review there. I got into these guys after hearing 19 seconds of "Ocean Planet" which I minutes later bought (this was at a point where I was only starting to get into the heavier side of metal). Over a period of a couple of weeks I couldn't stop listening to the song and I got the whole "From Mars to Sirius" Album which I never regretted buying. Not too long ago I got myself "The Link" album as well and when I heard of the new release here I was ecstatic, which in my opinion I had every right to be. This album for me is even better than the two later releases (I've not got Terra Incognita *yet*) and I've been playing the new album pretty much constantly since I got it on Monday. There are indeed a couple of tracks that might not be as good as the others, but the likes of 'Toxic Garbage Island' , 'The Art of Dying' and 'Vacuity' are certainly all a great listen and very much songs I'll be playing a lot in the future. Now I'm on a mission to see them live, something that will hopefully happen sooner rather than later.
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| hearts_alive
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 Posts: 3565 |
Posts: 3565
good review. this album shows Gojira's truly progressive nature in true form.
---- Kick Ass, Die Young Less is More Stay Pure Stay Poor Music was my life, music brought me to life and music is how I will be remembered long after I leave this life. When I die there will be a final waltz in my head that only I can hear.
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Posts: 1703
I'm kinda weary about this release. I want to buy it but I may download 2-3 songs to get a general feel for it first. I know it wont be like other releases, and I want it that way. In the back of my head though, I expect it to be like From Mars To Sirius. I need to stop doing that or else the new album won't have the effect I want it to.
---- Coldgrits
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| hearts_alive
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| hearts_alive
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Posts: 511  |
Posts: 511
Yeah a really quality review! i think they band them self would appreciate it, because more than just "Wow! great album dudes!". Written by Deadsoulman on 15.10.2008 at 16:58 The same here, at least for the first part, the album is a piece of art, but it doesn't top FMTS. But i can't say album disappointed me, because i wasn't expecting the perfection of the previous album (which cannot be reached again). Then the album surprised me with "happy tunes at the beginning and robo voice, but later i kinda start so like. So i'm quite pleased with this release, although there is something is still missing in it.
----
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Posts: 38 Written by Deadsoulman on 15.10.2008 at 16:58 Also They unfortunately had dead lines to abide with I believe. They spent a lot of time touring those last years, more stress and probably lacked time to compose. I don't say It would have been better than From Mars to Sirius, neither The Way of All Flesh is not good, actually, it's still damn good, but it could have probably been even better.
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Posts: 7078
Well just to add my little word about the review to say that I agree too and that I like it. Though of course, I think that it's a really good album despite this little lack of suprise that's right.
---- Come with us to Hellfest 2011!
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| Posts: 3565 |
Posts: 3565
Its a really good album, definitely a Gojira album. not as good as "From Mars to Sirius" IMO but still a very good album.
---- Kick Ass, Die Young Less is More Stay Pure Stay Poor Music was my life, music brought me to life and music is how I will be remembered long after I leave this life. When I die there will be a final waltz in my head that only I can hear.
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| misanthroman
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Posts: 189  |
Posts: 189
Good review, indeed. I'm quite courious about this album now! But for a gojira-virgin (just have listened to the bunch of songs on myspace so far..), what's the best album to step in? I never start with the latest - bit superstitious, I guess...
---- The struggle to free myself of restraints, becomes my very shackles
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Posts: 117  |
Posts: 117 Written by benvolent on 02.11.2008 at 21:02 The Link, then this album, then From Mars To Sirius. Only touch Terra Incognita if you really dig the other stuff. ANYWAY I really can't see any "flaws" in the album, just things that some people might not dig. I personally think that there is almost nothing that they could have changed to improve the album. I'm sure, though, that their next release will prove me wrong...
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Posts: 72  |
Posts: 72
GREAT REVIEW THIS ALBUM IS GOD DAM ADDICTING LIKE CRACK COCAINE
---- AND ON THE 7TH DAY THE GULCH BEGAN TO ROT http://www.myspace.com/gulchofrot
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 Posts: 2751 |
Posts: 2751
This album is quite a grower, wasn't too fond of it at first but it has some staying power. "A Sight To Behold" was surprising to me, but turns out to be an excellent track. Nice review Jup, hit the nail on the head.
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Posts: 8  |
Posts: 8
Great percussive sound. it does have its flaws, but the good things about the album definately out weigh the bad
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