Terra Incognita

Terra Incognita is Gojira's debut, on which they presented their own vision of technical metal with complex rhythms and heavyweight riffs. The band formed in Ondres, southwestern France, in 1996 as "Godzilla," and renamed themselves Gojira in 2001. It is the first record by the four-piece — centered on Joe Duplantier (vocals/guitar) and his brother Mario (drums) — that would remain unchanged thereafter. Varied songs like "Clone," "Deliverance" and "Space Time" line up. It is marked by an experimental, eclectic style, weaving thrash, groove and math-like rhythms over a death metal base. Elements reminiscent of Pantera and Meshuggah can be felt. The title means 'unknown land' in Latin, said to refer to a divinity hidden within each person. It is rough-hewn, but its intensity is genuine. Still on their way of exploration, the seeds of the mechanical heaviness that would characterize them are clearly carved here. A record marking their origin. It was made independently, by their own hands, without relying on outside help. Mario's drumming in particular already shows his exceptional skill at this point.