Gojira’s second album, Terra incognita, runs 14 tracks and 66 minutes, and it wants to be everything at once. Death metal, metalcore, groove metal, progressive metal, thrash, and nu-metal all get a seat, and the band piles them on top of each other until the whole thing starts to collapse under its own weight.
Opening With Clone
The album opens with “Clone,” a 4:58 death metal blast that sets the tone before the chaos begins. It earns its place as one of the record’s best moments.
From Lizard Skin to 04
“Lizard Skin” and “Satan Is a Lawyer” follow, both strong tracks that show off the band’s technical side. Then comes “04,” a short, quiet breather that doesn’t quite land.
Blow Me Away You(universe) Through On the B.O.T.A.
“Blow Me Away You(universe)” and “5988 trillions de tonnes” pass by without much effect. “Deliverance” and “Space Time” pick the pace back up, but neither stays with you. “On the B.O.T.A.” is the standout here, a tight, focused burst that stands out against the surrounding mess.
Rise and Fire Is Everything
“Rise” and “Fire Is Everything” drift together — competent but forgettable, doing nothing to justify their combined length. “Love” is the exception, a track that cuts through the noise with some actual melody.
1990 quatrillions de tonnes to In the Forest
“1990 quatrillions de tonnes” closes the regular side without much fuss. The closer, “In the Forest,” runs 12:14 and tries to be the epic finale, but it drags badly across its final stretch.
The Verdict on Terra Incognita
Terra incognita is a mess, but it’s a messy one with moments of real quality. “Clone,” “Love,” “Satan Is a Lawyer,” and “On the B.O.T.A.” are the tracks that prove Gojira could have made a great album. The rest just gets in the way.
Key Facts Box
- Artist: Gojira
- Album: Terra incognita
- Release type: Album
- Tracks: 14
- Total running time: 66 minutes
- Score: 2.0/10
The ambition is there, but the execution keeps falling short. This is Gojira’s most brutal and relentless work, and it’s also their most inconsistent.
- Clone4:58
- Lizard Skin4:30
- Satan Is a Lawyer4:24
- 042:10
- Blow Me Away You(niverse)5:10
- 5988 trillions de tonnes1:18
- Deliverance4:54
- Space Time5:22
- On the B.O.T.A.2:48
- Rise5:10
- Fire Is Everything4:57
- Love4:20
- 1990 quatrillions de tonnes4:20
- In the Forest12:14
