Empalot

The group's musical intention was to create a rare type of experimental metal, described as terroir metal (English: style of metal typically linked to the land of a region–sarcasm, irony), which would combine alternative metal, jazz fusion, funk rock, avant-garde, and a touch of insanity accompanied by aggressive vocals of Joe Duplantier. The lyrical themes range from the modern myth of Chouinard to silly songs, criticism of science and a struggle of the medieval period. The offbeat side of the group was also apparent in its appearance: the stage shows were colourful. The members appeared with masks or axes and were disguised as a cloud, a flower, a street lamp, a goat or a fund created by cardboard buildings.[2] The theatrical aspect was reinforced by the fact that the concerts were sometimes mingled with mini-plays.[3]

In a 2004 interview for Noiseweb, Joe Duplantier explained, "Empalot, it's really a story of childhood friends, we met in high school, it's transplanted. In addition, my brother – the drummer of Gojira, the sound engineer of Gojira, the lighting technician of Gojira is [also] the singer of Empalot, so it's a bit the same people and in Empalot, it's humor that expresses itself in music, it's another delirious universe."[4]

Empalot toured in France between 1999 and 2004.[3] Joe and Mario Duplantier placed the side project on hiatus in 2004.[5]

Their only album, Tous aux Cèpes, was recorded in the studio Arema Bordeaux, produced by Gabriel Editions – the same label family created by Gojira.[2] It can be compared to other similar bands like Psykup, Trepalium or Gronibard. There are misspellings on the album; the group wanted it to be that way to magnify the ridicule.

• Joe Duplantier − lead vocals, guitar, bass (1998–2003)
• Mario Duplantier − drums (1998–2003)
• Stéphane Chateneuf − vocals (1998–2003)
• Laurentx Etxemendi − saxophone (1998–2003)
• Christian Maisonnave − percussion (1998–2003)[6]