A number of medals have already been handed out at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, but the ultimate gold medal might have to go to Gojira for their sensational performance during the opening ceremony on Friday (July 26th). Drummer Mario Duplantier has now reflected on the global gig, calling it “a big step for the metal community.”
The French metal band absolutely wowed the world with their breathtaking performance from platforms extending outside the windows of the Conciergerie building, a former prison and courthouse that sits along the River Seine. The band performed an extreme metal version of the French Revolution-era song “Ah, Ça Ira!,” and were soon joined by opera singer Marina Viotti, who floated down the river in a wooden ship.
In an Instagram post following the performance, the drummer wrote, “What a tremendous honor to be part of this ambitious and epic ceremony in Paris. I have to admit that headbanging in front of a billion people, hitting as hard as I could in a revolutionary scenery made of fire and blood, was a very gratifying experience! A big step for the metal community as well.”
In the comments, Mario received praise from his metal contemporaries, with Slayer/Exodus guitarist Gary Holt declaring, “Pretty much the coolest thing that ever been done in metal I’d say.”
Korn drummer Ray Luzier added, “Dude.. I had chills on chills!! Soooo fuckin proud of you guys!! Can’t wait to crush stages with you guys soon!!,” referring to Korn’s upcoming tour featuring Gojira as support.
In a pre-interview with the New York Times, Mario’s brother and Gojira frontman Joe Duplantier stated, “It was a very bloody era of French history, so it was very metal,” adding that he felt pressure to represent “the whole metal community on the world stage.”
Gojira certainly represented metal well, and then some! As mentioned, stateside fans can catch the French metal masters when they support Korn on the latter’s US headlining tour this fall (get tickets here).
See Mario Duplantier’s Instagram post below, followed by Gojira’s full performance at the Olympics opening ceremony (note: NBC has disabled embedding for this video, so you will have to click on it to watch on YouTube).
