Joe Duplantier, lead singer of the band Gojira, addressed accusations of satanism following their performance at the Olympic Games opening ceremony on July 26.
Gojira’s performance featured the French Revolutionary song “Ah! Ça Ira” and used beheaded figures to represent Queen Marie Antoinette, which some Christians, including Andrew Tate, criticized as satanic. Interestingly enough, the band might have been caught using backing tracks during their Olympics performance.
While speaking to Rolling Stone, Duplantier clarified that the performance was meant to reflect French history and culture, not satanic themes. He explained that the use of beheaded figures and other dramatic elements was simply a representation of historical events and traditions, with no intent to convey a satanic message.
He explained that in France, the separation of state and religion, known as laïcité, is crucial. This separation allows for freedom of expression and symbolism without religious constraints. For Duplantier and many in France, the performance was a reflection of historical events rather than a religious statement.
“It’s none of that. It’s French history. It’s French charm, you know, beheaded people, red wine, and blood all over the place — it’s romantic, it’s normal. There’s nothing satanic [Laughs].”
“France is a country that made a separation between the state and religion during the revolution. And it’s something very important, very dear to the foundation of republican France. We call it laïcité. It’s when the state is not religious anymore, so therefore it’s free in terms of expression and symbolism. It’s all about history and facts. We don’t look too close closely at symbolism in terms of religion.”
Sharing a clip of Gojira’s performance, Tate wrote on Twitter:
“Satanists control the west and they show you that they worship the devil. It’s not a conspiracy theory. They literally show you. Are you blind?”
