Gojira – The Sylvee – Madison WI – November 5th 2021

The Sylvee presents Gojira with special guests Knocked Loose and Alien Weaponry

Review and photos by Brian Curski

Gojira is a band that has exploded on popularity over the last couple years, and even more when their latest album Fortitude , cam out in April of this year.  They played a headline show to an excited sold out crowd at the Slyvee in Madison, WI Friday night.  Opening with “Born for One Thing”, they rolled through heavy tunes nonstop.  They played favorites from Flying Whales, Backbone, L’enfant Sauvage, but a lot of the show was dedicated to showing off the new stuff.   My highlights being Hold On, a dramatic song in the middle of the new album, and the crowd sing along during The Chant in the encore.   It was a tight and very powerful performance.

Knocked Loose played before Gojira.  Personally, I have seen them three times in the last couple months, but it was the first time since their new surprise EP release, “A Tear In the Fabric of Life”. They are always one of the highest energy bands you will see on any bill, and they had it Friday also.  It looked like the biggest circle put of the night was near the end of their set, during “Mistake Like Fractures”. Loud, Heavy and aggressive, exactly what you want in a warm up act.

Alien Weaponry opened the night with a 30 minute set the grooved really well to get things going.  A young trio (all 21 or younger) already on their second album, it was my first time seeing them in person. They were impressive, and now on my list of bands I would like to see again. Check out their new album, Tangaroa, and locally in Minneapolis, they are playing a headlining show at Fine Line Music Cafe on Tuesday (11/9) if you want enjoy it live.  If you are on the fence, I’d recommend it!

A few months into the pandemic, Gojira released a live video “Live At Red Rocks” on Youtube, and it was a huge part of me getting through staying home all day with loud music.  I had never seen them live at the time, and being able to see them in person, in a great show, was a great and rewarding full circle experience.  They to play the Twin cities again in May 2022, opening for Deftones at the Armory. I plan on being there!