ALBUM REVIEW: L'enfant Sauvage by Gojira

While this album dropped earlier this year in June, I felt a review was still necessary due to the sheer amount of genius jam-packed into this Metal masterpiece. That's right, I said masterpiece, and I think any Metal critic who gives L'efant Sauvage a listen will agree.

The French Prog-Metallers hadn't had much more than what could be described as a cult-following here in the States until recently, surprising for a band that's career has spanned over ten years and has had great success in Europe. When L'enfant Sauvage (Gojira's fifth LP) was released, the Metal community was abuzz, and for good reason.

If you listen to Gojira's earlier work, you'll gain an ear for the band's stylistic, unique approach to Progressive Metal, a genre that's been booming as of late with relatively new acts such as Periphery, Animals As Leaders and Between The Buried And Me. Utilizing complex time signatures, tight grooves, harmonic-drenched rhythm work and brooding, dramatic leads, Gojira's work paints a dark and unique picture that still manages to move and inspire far more than the average Metal band.

This in mind, L'enfant Sauvage is arguably Gojira's best work yet. From the moment you start the album, you're throw aback by the rhythmic, low-end assault and complex time signatures of the opening track, "Explosia", an almost-seven minute epic that sets the stage and heightens the expectations of listeners only one track into the album. From there, you're met with the first single and title track of the album. The leads and lyrics of this track produce a desperate, dramatic sense of fear, hope and meaning that remains consistent throughout the album. While most Metal lyrics are dark or doom-saying, Gojira's lyrical styling focuses more on the full spectrum of the human experience, comparable to that of fellow Prog Metallers Tool.

The rest of the album follows suit with the standards imposed in the first two tracks, throwing out long, epic songs with the band's signature attitude and style. Tracks like "Liquid Fire" and "The Gift of Guilt" provide somewhat-uplifting tales of resilience and compassion, while cut-throat tracks such as "The Axe" dish out piercing guitar riffs and hearty full-band grooves that appetize even the heaviest of Metal fans.

The whole way through, L'enfant Sauvage is a masterpiece on almost every level, from its brilliant songwriting, technical innovations, unique styling and brilliant storytelling. This album is a must-listen for every Metal or Prog fan and a strong recommendation to any music enthusiast regardless of taste. One can't underestimate the brilliance of this particular piece of music, and I'm convinced that Gojira's work in it will go down as a highlight in Metal history.