Gojira, the acclaimed French metal band, clinched the Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance on February 2nd, 2025, for their electrifying song "Mea Culpa (Ah! Ça ira!)." The win marks not only their first Grammy victory but also the culmination of years of recognition as one of the leading forces in the metal genre.
The award was presented during the Premiere Ceremony, which streamed online prior to the main televised Grammy event, held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Gojira performed the victorious track alongside operatic vocalist Marina Viotti and Victor Le Masne, who composed the piece. Their performance at the 2024 Summer Olympics opening ceremony left audiences breathless, taking place at the historic Conciergerie building along the River Seine.
“We’re extremely excited to receive this award. We had the privilege to perform at the Olympic ceremony with Marina and Victor, so this is a great day for us, obviously,” expressed frontman Joe Duplantier as he accepted the award. He went on to share the spotlight with those who had inspired him and the band, stating, “We want to dedicate this award to all the bands pushing the boundaries. Support your local artists. Support your local bands.”
Gojira triumphed over formidable competitors like Metallica, whose song "Screaming Suicide" was nominated, Judas Priest's "Crown of Horns," Spiritbox’s "Cellar Door," and Knocked Loose featuring Poppy with "Suffocate." The intense competition only highlights how special this win is for Gojira, who have fought hard for recognition within the mainstream music industry.
Interestingly, as Gojira traversed to the stage to collect their Grammy, they were greeted by the strains of Metallica’s iconic track "Enter Sandman“ played by the house band, providing both humor and irony to the moment, considering their close ties to one another. The juxtaposition of the two legendary metal bands underlines the cultural prestige associated with the genre.
This victory is particularly poignant for Gojira, who had faced three previous nominations without taking home the award. Their first Grammy nod came during the 59th Annual Grammy Awards for Best Rock Album for "Magma" and Best Metal Performance for their song "Silvera." Despite their talent and the acclaim received, they lost to Cage the Elephant and Megadeth respectively. A second nomination followed at the 2021 ceremony for "Amazonia," which was overshadowed by Dream Theater’s win.
Given the world stage they occupied during the Olympics, many observers believed 2025 would be Gojira’s year, and they did not disappoint. Their powerful lyrics and heavy riffs have continued to resonate with fans, allowing them to push boundaries within the genre. With their Olympic performance solidifying their status, the Grammy win is seen as long overdue.
The track "Mea Culpa (Ah! Ça ira!)", which translates loosely to “My Fault (Ah! It Will Be Alright),” carries weighty social and political messages—elements Gojira frequently explores through their music. The collaboration with Viotti and Le Masne added depth to their performance by infusing classic operatic elements with heavy metal, illustrating the band's versatility and innovative artistry. Such experimentation has become emblematic of Gojira's sound, marking them as trailblazers of modern metal.
Fans and fellow musicians alike lauded this win, recognizing its significance not just for Gojira personally but also for the metal genre as it continues to find its voice on mainstream platforms such as the Grammys.
Reflecting on the ceremony's outcome, industry veterans noted the transformation within the music scene, wherein genres previously isolated are now seen intertwining, as with the fusion of classical and metal showcased at the Grammy stage through Gojira’s performance. Metal, often marginalized, has claimed its rightful place under the spotlight, and Gojira’s success contributes to this narrative.
Closing out the night, Gojira reassured fans of their future endeavors. The band plans to continue their mission of embodying the spirit of heavy metal with meaningful and thought-provoking messages. They are dedicated to fostering local music scenes and supporting fellow artists who continue to challenge the status quo with their art.
With their Grammy win, Gojira has set the stage for what promises to be another revolutionary chapter for the band and the metal genre as a whole, firmly positioning themselves as the catalysts of change and lasting influence. Fans eagerly await what innovations they would bring forth next.