GOJIRA/BURST/ZOROASTER/SPLOOGE.
Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009 at 5:00pm by Axl Rosenberg
Last night I told Burst vocalist Linus Jägerskog - a truly chill dude who not only works his band’s merch booth, but is more than happy to pose for photos, sign shit, etc. – that he broke my heart. How could this be the first time we were seeing them live? And why oh why was it the last?
Burst were fucking great, man. So great that when the shitard behind me yelled “Stand up, you faggot!” at guitarist Robert Reinholdz (who was, for reasons I’m not clear about, seated for the entire performance) and then called for Jägerskog to “hang yourself tonight,” I seriously considered throwing my beer at him. And if any band that wasn’t Gojira was going on after Burst, getting kicked out of the show to defend the Swedes’ honor might have seemed totally worth it.
But GOJIRA. Wow. Here are some random thoughts that ran through my brain as we watched them give the best show of the year so far for the second time this year:
- I just came a little.
- I haven’t seen Vince this happy since we were six years old.
- I just came a little more.
- Can everyone see my hard-on through my pants?
- This is how girls must have felt watching The Beatles on Ed Sullivan back in the day.
- Why can’t I stop smiling?
- I hate encores and I want a fucking encore.
- Yo, those Hasidic kids can MOSH.
- Aaaaannnddd… I came again. Fuck.
During “Toxic Garbage Island,” the band’s first of two encores (the second was “Vacuity,” natch), or friend Bob wandered over to tell me he’d never seen Gojira live before, and his mind was blown. Then he started to talking to our friend John; suddenly I heard him say “Hold on, I’ll be right back,” and then, just as the already-infamous dive bomb part of the riff kicked in, Bob fucking launched himself into the pit like a goddamn cannonball. With his leather coat still on. All you saw was the crowd parting and bodies flying and it was on, dude. And I can’t blame him. That’s the power of Gojira.
Listening to The Way of All Flesh as I walked to get my morning coffee today was almost (almost) anti-climactic. There is nothing like seeing this band live… and all evidence suggests that they’re only getting better. If Gojira aren’t the best metal band on the planet right now, they’re pretty fucking close.
-AR
P.S. Zoroaster were good, too.
I was there too, mostly in the moshpit (afro and Arsis shirt), and you’re right, Gojira killed again in New York. Ocean Planet ftw.
I have to say, the pit is alot more dangerous when filled with people who don’t know what they’re doing. Lots of grabbing and swinging of the arms, with the occasional kick thrown in. Not good.
Also, less douchey hipsters than I expected, which was a plus.
Dude! I saw you! I liked your shirt! haha
I saw Burst at Planet Caravan Fest. Technical difficulties plagued the beginning of their set but they fought through it and managed to put on a great show. I also talked to Linus afterward and he was kind enough to sign my cd; really cool dudes.
How was that fest?
Honestly, it was the best fest i’ve been to. The crowds were fairly small so we were really close to the stage for all the bands we wanted to see. Both venues sounded great. I was front row for Clutch, Kylesa, HULL, Burst and YOB. The beer was fairly cheap and there was a wide selection. Most of the bands either hung outside, worked the merch table, or were in the crowd with us. I really hope it returns next year.
I was there, too. I was front row for Clutch as well. Honestly that was the best series of shows I’d ever seen. Me and a few buddies of mine hung out with the guys from Burst and Bison B.C. after Clutch played. We sat around in the parking lot and traded beer coozies and shot the shit. Bunch of really chill dudes. I was the asshole in Mo Daddy’s that yelled “We fuckin’ suck!” in the back of the bar.
Not a big fan of indoor circle pits. Usually i end up slippin on beer/vomit/piss/ whatever. I love my Chucks, but they have no traction. Without trying to sound like a tuff guy, Throwdown was playing w/ Daath, Unearth and Chimaira last week and there were these flailing arms and legs kids who got taught a lesson.
Punching/ Kicking other guys who are punching/ Kicking..Okay.
Punching/ Kicking folks who are by nature aggressive/drunk/being subjected to Throwdown….
Un Fucking Cool.
I was there too (sporting my Morbid Angel Altars of Madness shirt), excellent show. Burst was extremely impressive, I asked a few of those guys after the show to please make just one more album. All very nice guys, one of the guitarists told me they were going on “hiatus” rather than breaking up, so maybe that’s good news?
Gojira, of course, tore Brooklyn a new one, which didn’t surprise me. This is the 3rd time I’ve seen them and I’m more impressed each time. I was really glad that they played “Lizard Skin” from Terra Incognita.
And yeah, I saw those hasids in the pit…just, wow – only in New York! :)
yeah dude, I was one of them hasids! What an awesome show!
As I am relegated to living vicariously through others until I get MY chance to see Gojira live, please tell me more. I await them impatiently and with bittersweet longing. In fact, once I finally get to see them, no one will be allowed within a 10-foot radius of me without having first signed a waiver because I will not be held responsible. That’s just how it’s gotta be.
“Yo, those Hasidic kids can MOSH.”
Aww, you should have told Josh hi!
From the show last night: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EN8rn0dYZz8
hey wazzup! I actually had a nice chat with Axl & Vince at the show. Really chilled dudes lemme tell ya. And yes you have got to see Gojira live, put that on your bucket list!!! It was really an insane show, one of the best I’ve ever been to!!!
Gojira=Epic!!!!
P.S. You can clearly see me at about 3:36 in the vid with the white t-shirt and backwards cap pumpin my fist in the air, and at 3:44 I’m jumpin like a lunatic. AWESOME!!!!
towards the center of the stage
I have a bunch of video from the show too…I’ll post links here after I’ve cleaned up the audio a bit..
HA!!! I KNEW they had to have meant you! High-five, bud!
*high fiving*
reminiscing crowd screaming: GO-JI-RA!!! GO-JI-RA!!! GO-JI-RA!!! GO-JI-RA!!! GO-JI-RA!!! GO-JI-RA!!! GO-JI-RA!!! GO-JI-RA!!! GO-JI-RA!!! GO-JI-RA!!! GO-JI-RA!!! GO-JI-RA!!!
\m/
Great video of the show. What an intense band live! Man, now I’m feeling REALLY stupid for not seeing them last may when I had the chance.
My own video from my 3rd Gojira experience——–> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnbJfYhFxI8&feature=channel
Pretty much the best video of them ever!——-> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q549Pqphlxs
The first time I saw Gojira, I thought their name was spanish for something and otherwise had never heard of them. I walked into the Electric Factory in Philly while they were sound checking the drums, it might as well have been a sound check for thunder! They barely got a headbang since no one really knew them back in 2007, but as soon as Randy Blythe came on stage to scream the ending breakdown to their song “Backbone” the crowd went nuts and realized this band was legit. I bought From Mars To Sirius the next day.
The second time I saw them, 6 months later, the second they plucked their guitar strings the mosh pit went insane. It only took 6 months to go from “Who the fuck are these guys?” to “How do you not know who these guys are?” Again they were the first band on the bill that night.
I finally got to see them again, but this time they were headlining. I had a broken hand and wrist, but I still got front row to tape that show. I was there so early that I got to meet the band as they nonchalantly walked to the bar, shook Joe’s hand and told him how great their music is and how much it means to me (the environmental and humanitarian lyrics are the shit!) and he was very sincere in his thanks, and then I let them go get their drinks, far be it from me to impede their need for a little liquid fun. They headbang in sync with each other, not to put on a good show, but because there music just GRABS YOU BY THE SPINE and makes you thrash about! That’s the only way I can really put it.
They are top notch guys in an amazing band that puts out their wonderful take on the term “metal”. I can totally agree with Axle’s boner statements because if you don’t pop a zipper tent while watching them live, then I’m not sure if you understand metal. I hope you get the chance to see them live, dude, and if you read all of this then I apologize.
Gojira rule.
Don’t apologize for that! You and Josh both totally just made my day, lol. And people always bust my chops for posting too long, so it’s nice to get that kind of effort back. How does their live show now compare as to when you originally saw them 2 years ago?
And thanks for those videos. My Internet connection is completely dorked up right now, but I have those links saved for when my service decides to cooperate again. \m/
They are exactly on par now with where they were back in 2007. the only difference is in the crowd. 2007=no headbanging and a 6 person pit. 2009= headlining tours, instant pits and the most enthusiastic fans I’ve seen in awhile. I can’t wait to see how quickly they grow after getting exposed to the masses with Metallica. I’m expecting a lighter version of the Guitar Hero Effect that DragonForce went through.
“I can’t wait to see how quickly they grow after getting exposed to the masses with Metallica. I’m expecting a lighter version of the Guitar Hero Effect that DragonForce went through.”
Fine. I’ll share them, just so long as they don’t stop bringing the awesome.
Gojira is the best metal band on the planet. period.
Who is this “Splooge” band.
Were they the openers or something?
http://www.myspace.com/sploogemusic
i’m surprised they were invited to play at all, but hey, good for them.
Robert always sits down during the Burst gigs nowadays. “Too many pedals to control” he claims. I’m going to be at their last show ever (for now). You won’t. HA!
I saw them in Manhattan May 6th. Not something I’ll forget anytime soon.
Man right now I’m wondering why I’m not in Montclaire watching Lamb of God.
I was at the Gojira show last night (which was just fuckin amazing!), and I really wanted to go see LOG tonight but I couldn’t make it. Guess I’ll see them with Metallica in MSG!
I now have a theory that Gojira will blow any band they play with away. Burst were amazing and as sad as I am, I’m glad I made it to that show. Those guys are so great. I hope they decide to give it another go down the road. But as I was saying, I’d love to see if Gojira actually blow Lamb of God and Metallica away. That’d be sick. I saw the set list Lamb of God played in Rhode Island last night and I was at the Gojira show last night. So the real question is “Can Gojira blow Metallica away?”……and for the record, I fucking LOVE Lamb of God. That’s how amazing Gojira were last night/are always.
Oh and Zoroaster were really good. Props to their bassist for troubleshooting his amp like that. That was some self indulgent shit. Loved it!
i dont think they can bow metallica away but lamb of god? yeah..
i rekon their breath of freash air to metal and i think theyll be one of the biggest bands standing soon.
And how come you’ve never published this excellent litte Gojira vid?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfJXOzvNsYI
Man I can’t WAIT to finally see these guys… eventually.
Saw Gojira early this summer in Detroit with 36 Crazy Fists, All That Remains, and In Flames. Gojira was BY FAR the show stoppers. Fuck I can’t wait till they come back around. (honestly, they sound exactly like their studio albums, just heavier – amazing)
None of the four tickets I bought to this show got used, unfortunately, but fuck it; we were making our own awesome metal record. I’ll catch ‘em next time.
Glad to see Zoroaster is getting more mainstream attention on this tour. Those dudes deserve it.
I’m still so disappointed that Burst isn’t coming to California on the first/possibly last US tour, it sounds like it was a show not to be missed. Having now seen Gojira 4 times(only 2 times as a fan), I have come to truly appreciate their music and them as people. I had a meet and greet on their tour earlier this year, and the guys were so generous to all the fans wants and I love to see that in bands. I can’t wait for their new album.
Yeah, I missed me chance of seeing Gojira tonight.
FOR TWELVE FUCKING DOLLARS.
I didn’t have $12 to go see fucking GOJIRA.
God damn i want to see Gojira live. I was hoping they where doing the off shows with Lamb of God, but noooo i have to sit through gwar and job for a cowboy instead.
Fuck.
just watching Gojira on youtube im amazed
Anyone have any idea what Gojira’s set list is looking like at these shows? Seeing them on Thurs night in Atlanta.
I was at the Mon. night show and I remember a couple of songs they played: Oroborus, Backbone, Flying Whales, The Art Of Dying, Lizard Skin, Ocean Planet. The encore was Toxic Garbabge Island & Vacuity. Dude you’re in for an awesome night!!!
So angry that they aren’t coming to the West Coast again, then they go on Hiatus…
Can’t wait to see them in 2 weeks man!!!!!!
fuck that.. they will never come down under!!
id trade all the gigs im going to this year which i spend a little less than a grand on just to see gojira and since the gig made u jizz in ur pants im aching to see them more!
Is it just me, or does the new Gojira pale in comparison to the last?
It’s just you, sorry.
The “new” Gojira? i dont get it. Every album they have been heading further into their own genre. They are just so fuckin creative. They are so heavy yet dont fall into the trap of having all their songs sound the same. Gojira is perfection.
I am kinda pissed off that they dont get as much attention as they deserve. But I also dont want them to become so popular that start to only play in large venues. I love small indoor shows; there is so much more connection.
Cant wait to see em in chicago with burst. cant wait to mosh with the best crowd.
They will be missed dearly. My favorite band….of all time….I think I might cry…grr….
Damn Axl. Just envisioning that situation gave me goosebumps. I hope to one day experience the dive bomb live myself.
well fuck
i clicked on this story spasificly to hear about zoroaster and it didn’t say shit about them
These guys are playing at a venue the size of my thumb here. There will probably be about 30 people there. Its going to be the best experience of 2009 (next to Dethklok/Mastodon/Converge/No one cares about the last band) and no one will be there to experience it. Burst makes me burst in my pants.
Haven’t seen Gojira since their half-hour Radio Rebellion set two years ago, but I still remember it as one of my favorite concert experiences.
Axl is a pussy ass beotch. Even an arm-swingin scene kid would pound him.
gojiras comin to milwaukee oct 7th i believe. cant wait to experience this shit. they must play clone.
I AM SEEING THEM AT THEIR FIRST VENUE IN OCTOBER. SECOND CONCERT I HAVE EVER BEEN TO!!! WISH ME LUCK
Response to Shaniaan from up top:
When I was speaking about hoping their popularity grows from the Metallica shows I was speaking in terms of the availability of their products (i.e. original Godzilla album being reissued and maybe another DVD?). I swear to God if they sell out then there is no hope for music. These are some of the realest guys you can imagine, in person and as musicians. Glad you agree though!
I DO agree, on all points. (Except for their demeanor in person, as I’ve yet to have the pleasure of meeting them.) And as for a new DVD, Joe said in an interview before the show in Atlanta on the 24th that they have plans for a new DVD (material for it, too, if I remember correctly), but they’re in no rush to get that put together and out to the masses as of yet. It IS maddening to not be able to get all I want of them, whenever I want. I can’t help it – I AM an American, after all. Over-indulgence and instant gratification are what we DO, lol.
I just love these guys so much. I’ve yet to have the opportunity to tell them just HOW much, so good on you for taking the opportunity to let them know they’re appreciated.
Saw Burst and Gojira in Atlanta a few days ago. If it would have been appropriate to pop a boner the whole time, I would have. Fucking awesome.
I saw Gojira on this tour, and the crowd fucking sucked, Gojira deserves so much better than what those fucking dickhead kids gave them. Nevertheless, Gojira was fucking amazing.