Who is Gojira? Essential Facts About the Metal Band Performing at the Olympics Opening Ceremony

 

Athletes will be vying for gold over the next two weeks, but a different kind of metal stole the show on Friday.

Amidst show tunes from "Les Miserables" and "Carmen," the French heavy-metal band Gojira made a head-banging appearance during the Olympics opening ceremony, delivering a surprising twist for viewers.

First greeted by a headless Marie Antoinette, Gojira performed at the historic Conciergerie along the River Seine.

Here’s what to know about the metal band that rocked the opening ceremony.

Who is Gojira?

Gojira is composed of Joe Duplantier, Mario Duplantier, Christian Andreu, and Jean-Michel Labadie. They performed at the Conciergerie, a medieval residence of French kings that became a prison during the French Revolution, famously housing Marie Antoinette.

Performing alongside singer Marina Viotti, Gojira brought their unique sound to the historic venue.

The band’s name is inspired by the legendary kaiju Godzilla, and they were originally called Godzilla until 2001. They are three-time Grammy Award nominees and most recently released their album "Fortitude" in 2021.

Gojira’s music spans various metal subgenres, including progressive metal and groove metal.

Marie Antoinette may have lost her head, but if she still had one, she’d be banging it to Gojira in 2024.