Gojira is the first metal band to perform at the Opening Ceremonies. Here’s who they are.
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The names of the musicians set to perform at the Opening Ceremonies have been kept under wraps until now, but a French newspaper, Le Parisien, has shared some of the performers chosen by the ceremony's music director, Victor Le Masne.
One of the most well-known is Gojira, a highly popular heavy metal band from France that has gained international fame by touring with renowned bands such as Metallica and Slipknot. Forbes reported that Gojira will make history as the first metal band to play at the Opening Ceremonies.
Founded by siblings Joe and Mario Duplantier in the small town of Ondres in southwest France in 1996 as Godzilla, the band later rebranded as Gojira in 2001 to avoid copyright issues. The name comes from the Japanese term for the iconic movie monster that first appeared on screen seven decades ago. That same year, Gojira dropped their debut album, "Terra Incognita."
Gojira has been nominated for three Grammy Awards in the past. In 2017, Rolling Stone magazine ranked the band's album titled "From Mars to Sirius," released in 2005, as the 97th best metal album ever. Two songs on the album focused on the importance of saving marine mammals.
Rolling Stone magazine said that the band quickly gained popularity in France and began advocating for environmental issues. Joe also became recognized as France's first true guitar legend in many years.
Le Parisian announced that Gojira, who set the record for the most noise at a concert at Stade de France, will be collaborating with opera singer Marina Viotti from France and Switzerland.