What makes Les enfants sauvages by Gojira notable?

The album received widespread acclaim from critics, debuting at number 5 on the Billboard Hard Rock Albums chart. Its title track, L’Enfant sauvage, became particularly notable for its deep lyrical exploration of humanity's connection to nature, further cementing Gojira as a leading voice in progressive metal. Released in 2014, Les enfants sauvages was Gojira's fifth studio album, following the critically acclaimed L'Enfant Sauvage. At this point, the band had solidified their reputation as pioneers in the metal genre, merging progressive and groove elements while addressing themes of environmentalism and human struggle.

Who is Les enfants sauvages for?

Les enfants sauvages works well if you're into dynamic emotional journeys, long, immersive listening sessions and wave-like pacing and builds.

How many songs are on Les enfants sauvages?

Les enfants sauvages has 13 tracks, running approximately 56 minutes.

Les enfants sauvages

Gojira · 2014

56 min · 13 tracks · progressive metal

A visceral blend of technical precision and primal energy that reflects the chaos and beauty of nature's raw power.

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Top tracks — play these first

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L’Enfant sauvage — This track encapsulates the album's themes with its dynamic shifts from melodic introspection to explosive heaviness, showcasing Gojira’s signature style.
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Explosia — The opener sets the tone for the album's intensity, combining intricate rhythms with a relentless energy that captures the listener immediately.
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Toxic Garbage Island — This song stands out for its critical commentary on environmental issues, blending aggressive instrumentation with thought-provoking lyrics that resonate deeply.
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The Gift of Guilt — Closing the album on a reflective note, this track balances heaviness with emotional depth, illustrating Gojira’s capacity for nuanced songwriting.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

70 /100

Alpine

Higher than 94% of albums we've rated

The album showcases intricate compositions and powerful performances, though its cohesion dips slightly due to varied track lengths.

What we noticed

The album opens with a brief instrumental track that sets a dark, atmospheric tone before launching into the aggressive 'Explosia'.
The last three tracks include a drum solo and an extended outro, which creates a sense of closure while also maintaining intensity.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

dynamic emotional journeys
long, immersive listening sessions
wave-like pacing and builds
intricate musicianship appreciation

Where this album fits

Career context: Released in 2014, Les enfants sauvages was Gojira's fifth studio album, following the critically acclaimed L'Enfant Sauvage. At this point, the band had solidified their reputation as pioneers in the metal genre, merging progressive and groove elements while addressing themes of environmentalism and human struggle.
Stylistic neighbors: Mastodon· Meshuggah· Opeth