Gojira!

[bongomania]

Second time through the new Ghost album I heard a couple of sweet high points that I had missed the first time through, but I also heard a lot more, um, things that I don't need to listen to again. But when the album ended, Spotify started playing a track from Gojira that I hadn't heard, and it absolutely crushed and swept away the Ghost sugar from my head. Man this band absolutely kills it in every way. In the Ghost thread I was complaining about their authenticity. Listen to Gojira's album "Magma", and hear the sheer dedication and passion in the voice, and in every single note they hit. Gojira put their hearts on the table. Examples:

 

[RobbiefromAtlanta]

Love me some Gojira!

 

[repete]

Same here. Really like that disc. ( check out Sahg as well, they are really good )
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=b-CF7vfXy2U

 

[Tmcfour]

Hell yes.

 

[Chicago.Drum.Exchange]

I LOVE gojira! soooooo good!

 

[Vistalite Black]

This thread was ahead of its time.

Love Gojira and drummer Mario Duplantier.

 

[Pat A Flafla]

Ha, he just thought Ghost was sugary in 2018...
Tobias: "Challenge accepted. Hold my apple-tini."

 

[Hypercaffium]

FINALLY! Finally somebody posts something new, interesting and different from the usual Buddy-Ringo-Bonham mumbo-jumbo. Maybe there's some hope for this place, thanks for sharing that.
I'm not into metal that much but I truly like their music and I must say Duplantier is a genius. They can play! Very tight, technical and inspiring band.

 

[Pat A Flafla]

FINALLY! Finally somebody posts something new, interesting and different from the usual Buddy-Ringo-Bonham mumbo-jumbo.

Haha, he posted that over 4 years ago.

 

[Russian Dragon]

I don't listen to a lot of music in that style, and when I do I appreciate the high skill level involved, but I usually wish that it weren't tuned, timed and squished quite so hard. Mario is a great player, but he wouldn't need to be quite as good as he is to make that recording. It's snapped to the grid and compressed so hard that some of the subtleties are lost. I'm doing my best not to sound like a jerk about this (and probably failing), but I mean it as a compliment to Gojira. You could substitute lesser players and make that record, or something pretty close. I'd like to hear all of their skills, and the production hides some of them. Maybe I'm way off base.

 

[Cauldronics]

I don't listen to a lot of music in that style, and when I do I appreciate the high skill level involved, but I usually wish that it weren't tuned, timed and squished quite so hard. Mario is a great player, but he wouldn't need to be quite as good as he is to make that recording. It's snapped to the grid and compressed so hard that some of the subtleties are lost. I'm doing my best not to sound like a jerk about this (and probably failing), but I mean it as a compliment to Gojira. You could substitute lesser players and make that record, or something pretty close. I'd like to hear all of their skills, and the production hides some of them. Maybe I'm way off base.

You could always watch a live performance. The litmus test for whether or not a band is good outside the studio...

For me, I disliked most of the Foo Fighters' material until I caught a live concert that was streamed and they made a new fan (no shortage).

 

[DrummBumm89]

I don't listen to a lot of music in that style, and when I do I appreciate the high skill level involved, but I usually wish that it weren't tuned, timed and squished quite so hard. Mario is a great player, but he wouldn't need to be quite as good as he is to make that recording. It's snapped to the grid and compressed so hard that some of the subtleties are lost. I'm doing my best not to sound like a jerk about this (and probably failing), but I mean it as a compliment to Gojira. You could substitute lesser players and make that record, or something pretty close. I'd like to hear all of their skills, and the production hides some of them. Maybe I'm way off base.

It's a problem with most mainstream modern metal albums. Drums gridded to all hell with the same tom and kick samples. Couldn't tell a Volbeat drum sound from Disturbed, 5 Finger Death Punch or Gojira. Admittingly I'm not much of a fan of any of those but I have seen they all claim their drummers record the album. I find it funny when they do gear run-throughs because whatever they are recording with isn't even on the album. Might as well record on a Roland for the sound they go for.
I almost applaud Ice Nine Kills for admitting to programming the drums instead of trying to claim they had a drummer on the album. At least it makes sense that the drums sound electronic.
Bring Me The Horizon claims they didn't use a real drummer due to recording during the pandemic, and I couldn't tell a difference.

Avenged Sevenfold claims no sampling on the latest record, along with Tool.
SciFi Crimes by Chevelle was another one a decade or so ago, and Sam's drums really stand out in my opinion. Hard to find natural rock/metal drums these days in a time when gear is talked about constantly.

 

[Russian Dragon]

It's a problem with most mainstream modern metal albums. Drums gridded to all hell with the same tom and kick samples. Couldn't tell a Volbeat drum sound from Disturbed, 5 Finger Death Punch or Gojira. Admittingly I'm not much of a fan of any of those but I have seen they all claim their drummers record the album. I find it funny when they do gear run-throughs because whatever they are recording with isn't even on the album. Might as well record on a Roland for the sound they go for.
I almost applaud Ice Nine Kills for admitting to programming the drums instead of trying to claim they had a drummer on the album. At least it makes sense that the drums sound electronic.
Bring Me The Horizon claims they didn't use a real drummer due to recording during the pandemic, and I couldn't tell a difference.

Avenged Sevenfold claims no sampling on the latest record, along with Tool.
SciFi Crimes by Chevelle was another one a decade or so ago, and Sam's drums really stand out in my opinion. Hard to find natural rock/metal drums these days in a time when gear is talked about constantly.

Right. I forgot "replaced" sounds on my wish list. I know Mario can really play, but only because of relatively unprocessed Youtube solo videos. I wouldn't be so sure, judging solely by Gojira recordings. I don't know the style as well as you, but I'm sure you're right about the drum sounds coming from the same sources.

Cauldronics makes a good point about live recordings, but a lot of concert videos are nearly as produced in 'post' as records. You almost need to search out a fan's phone video to find out what really comes off stage, but that comes with its own problems.