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Witnessed
Gojira, 2009-09-22
27/10/09 || InquisitorGeneralis
Who: Gojira and some other bands that my stoned ass didn’t see.
Where: The Ottobar, Baltimore Maryland USA.
When: September 22nd, 2009.
GD Note: This is NOT from the show, the Ottobar is much, much smaller but I was too lit up and forgot my camera so this is what you get assholes.
It has been a good September for me and concerts. Daemonomania and I got DOWN and dirty with Phil, Pepper, Kirk, and the rest of the gang in New York Cittay earliar in month. Buckethead brought his goofiness here to Baltimore a week later. Also, AC/DC looms on the horizon in DC. However, even the prospect of seeing possibly the greatest band in the history of rock played second fiddle to seeing the mighty, earthy Gojira bring their fantastic brand of math, death, and groove metal to The Ottobar here in Charm City. Now, seeing as I spin funky rhythms (aka DJ) at said Ottobar I was on the guest list for this boner-inducer of a show that included Burst and Weedeater supporting the beast from the east (or Bordeaux).
So, how were the openers? Fuck if I know, me and mi amigo Kyle were too busy hailing the leaf at my place…and the car ride down… so we got there only a few seconds before the Gojizzira hit the stage. Again, me no pay no money for dis here show so missing these guys did not cause a tear to be shed, or shit, from anywhere on my body. I have heard good things about Burst, maybe I will get around to checking them out. Or, maybe I will shove an ice pick up my nose. We will just have to wait and see.
It was fucken hot and steamy in the joint and the crowd was ready for metal…and for showers. All throughout the night any unholy cloud of manfunk, beer, and just plain wretched stench hung mere inches over the crowds banging heads. Fuck it, Gojira brought he place down regardless of the dire need for Febreeze. First came the expected opener “Oroborous” which drew quite a reaction from the audience. Seeing as most unknowing Yanks only really know material from “From Mars…” and “The Way of All Flesh” this was no surprise. A good song played with serious energy (which would last all night) got things started with a bang.
Up and coming metal giants or destitute Green Peace activists? You decide!
Gojira know where their organic bread is buttered and stormed right into “The heaviest matter in the universe”. Horns flew, bodies slammed, and metal dominated. “Backbone” followed and was another crowd pleaser. What came next though even took this seasoned metaldouche by surprise…
Lizard FUCKEN Skin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
…yours truly’s absolute favorite Gojira song. Seeing as “Lizard skin” comes from thier little known (here in the states that is) debut “Terra Incognita” and the only track I have ever heard played from said album is “Clone”, I figured “Lizard skin” would never make it on a U.S. of A setlist. I figured wrong. The band definitely seemed fired up to kick out an old jam. Joe D is one of the best front men in metal and when it comes to stage presence and performance the rest of the band are no slouches either, especially brother Duppie on the drums who delivered an energetic and entertaining performance. “Lizard skin” was a personal highlight for me but Gojira certainly did not blow the load three songs in, much more asswhuppery was certainly to come.
Immediately because mere seconds later the familiar whale call resounded through the club and “Ocean planet” was unleashed. My two favorite Gojira songs back to back: I almost pulled out the purple-headed love dolphin right then and there for a tug and a swim! The entire place erupted into mosh madness during the epic breakdown at “Ocean planet”‘s end. “The art of dying” brought things back to the newest album and while not my favorite track from “The Way All Flesh” the slow, building intro translated well in the live setting.
However, Gojira definitely pulled out the heavy hitters to finish the regular set. I would have loved for more than one track from “The Link” but I will never complain about hearing “Remembrance” live. “Indians” or “The link” would have been a nice addition to the set but Gojira’s entire catalogue is fucken strong: no harm, no foul. After “Remembrance” we got another song I had never seen live, “Flying whales”. Again, more total destruction and domination on this one.
I certainly did not expect the set to finish with a double dose of “From Mars…” material but “Where dragons dwell” was a fucken killer tune to go out on. During the unholy ending of the song Joe broke his 3rd guitar string and in one of the most metal moments I have every witnessed ripped the fucken thing out and continued to jam with reckless abandon. The froggy foursome gave a a brief thank you at the end and trotted off stage.
Gojira returns for a killer encore as Tokyo’s citizens shit their kimonos in fear!
Encore? Absolutely! After only a minute or so Joe came back, told us it was “fucking hot”, and called for his mates. First up was “Toxic garbage island”, my personal favorite from “The Way of All Flesh”. “After a long ramble in french fried broken English by Monsieur Joe D about getting through bad shit in life the band launched into the final encore, “Vacuity”. While not my favorite song (not even close actually) the band kicked it well and maintained the energy and enthusiasm that had made the night soo damn fucken great. I can think of fifteen or so Gojira tracks (“Clone”, “Love”, “Indians”, “The Link”, “…to Sirius”, “Global warming”, get the point?) but closing with “Vacuity” in no way affect my overall impression with and enjoyment of the show.
Gojira came to Baltimore, drawn by our immense levels of filth and pollution I’m sure, and destroyed everything in sight. It was a stellar show, one of the best I have ever seen, and worth every penny (hehe) that I paid for it. These guys are one of the most exciting and creative acts in heavy metal today and at this moment I am completely swinging from their environmentally-friendly balls.
