Gojira are a heavy metal band from Bayonne, France. The group, who were nominated for two Grammys for their 2016 sixth studio album, Magma, brought a special guest on stage at their October 2 show in Cleveland, Ohio at the House of Blues. The thing is, this wasn’t just another member from a different metal band, but a 12 year-old boy who won a contest unbeknownst to the band. Frontman Joe Duplantier introduced young Haden to the audience, who at first were just as apprehensive as the band was. “I don’t know what he’s up to, apparently there was some sort of contest or something I wasn’t aware of but he’s going to jam with us a little,” the lead singer stated.
While the members of Gojira were unclear about the situation, it’s safe to say judging from the fan-footage above, the band was won over once Haden started pounding away on the drum-kit. In the video, you can see drummer Mario Duplantier standing on the side of the stage demanding the crowd to applaud Haden. It wasn’t difficult for those in attendance to oblige as they witnessed Haden unleash a burst of double kicks and fast drum beats. For the rest of the members of Gojira, they slid into Haden’s rhythm, later allowing him to have the limelight with a drum solo.
The band played a total of seventeen songs with two covers for the encore. Those renditions included blending Metallica’s “Enter Sandman,” “Sad But True,” and “Seek & Destroy” into one as well as covering “Territory” originally by Sepultura. According to our records, Gojira has covered “Territory” fifteen times, but this was only the second time they covered those three Metallica songs into one piece. As far as original songs, Gojira featured five tracks from Magma, including “The Shooting Star,” “The Cell,” “Stranded,” “Silvera,” and “Only Pain.”
The metal juggernauts are presently on a headlining U.S. tour in support of last year’s effort, Magma. Torche and Code Orange are serving as Gojira’s openers. Next up is tomorrow’s night show in Albany, NY at Upstate Music Hall. Gojira is playing the Houston Open Air festival in The Woodlands, TX on October 14. The tour wraps up on October 21 at Aftershock Festival in Sacramento, CA.
For more information on the band and their tour dates, visit their website.
