My Guitar Cover Of Gojira's The Heaviest Matter Of The Universe - A Deep Dive
Hey guys! I'm super stoked to share that yesterday I finally uploaded my guitar cover of The Heaviest Matter of the Universe by Gojira. This track is an absolute monster, and it's been a long-time goal of mine to tackle it. If you know Gojira, you know they don't mess around! Their music is intricate, heavy, and just plain awesome. This cover was definitely a challenge, but it was so rewarding to finally get it done.
Why This Song?
Gojira is one of my all-time favorite bands, and The Heaviest Matter of the Universe is a standout track for so many reasons. First off, the sheer intensity of the song is incredible. The driving rhythm, the crushing riffs, and Joe Duplantier’s powerful vocals all combine to create a sonic experience that's both brutal and beautiful. The song’s complex time signatures and unconventional song structure also make it a fascinating piece to learn and play on guitar. I’ve always been drawn to music that pushes boundaries, and Gojira definitely does that. Beyond the technical aspects, the song also has a profound message about the environment and our connection to the planet, which resonates deeply with me. It's not just about heavy riffs; there's real substance there.
The Challenge
Let me tell you, learning this song was no walk in the park! Gojira’s guitar work is incredibly precise and demanding. The riffs are fast, the rhythms are complex, and there are so many subtle nuances that you might miss if you're not paying close attention. One of the biggest challenges was nailing the down-picking technique that Gojira is known for. Joe Duplantier’s right-hand technique is a force of nature, and trying to replicate that level of intensity and precision was a serious workout. I spent hours practicing just the main riff, trying to get the timing and attack just right. Then there were the pinch harmonics – those screaming, high-pitched squeals that add so much aggression to the song. Getting those to sound consistent and controlled took a lot of practice and experimentation with different pick angles and amp settings. And let's not forget the solo! While it's not the most technically flashy solo in the world, it's full of feel and emotion, and capturing that essence was just as important as hitting the right notes.
Gear and Tone
For this cover, I used my trusty Ibanez RG, which is a workhorse guitar that can handle pretty much anything I throw at it. I paired it with my Kemper Profiler, which is an amazing piece of gear that allows me to model the tones of my favorite amps. Getting the right tone for a Gojira song is crucial – you need that crushing, articulate sound that cuts through the mix. I spent a lot of time tweaking my amp settings and experimenting with different profiles to get as close as possible to Joe Duplantier’s signature sound. I ended up using a profile of a Peavey 5150, which is a classic high-gain amp that’s perfect for this kind of music. I also used a Tube Screamer overdrive pedal to boost the mids and tighten up the low end, and a noise gate to keep things quiet during the silent parts. Dialing in the right tone is half the battle when it comes to covering a song like this, and I’m really happy with how it turned out.
The Recording Process
Recording a guitar cover can be a surprisingly involved process. It's not just about playing the song from start to finish – you have to think about things like microphone placement, audio levels, and editing. I started by recording the rhythm guitar parts, which form the foundation of the song. I double-tracked the guitars, meaning I recorded the same part twice and panned them slightly to the left and right in the mix. This creates a wider, more powerful sound. Next, I recorded the lead guitar parts, including the solo. I spent extra time on these parts, making sure every note was clean and precise. Once I had all the guitar tracks recorded, I moved on to mixing and mastering. This is where you balance the levels of the different instruments, add EQ and compression to shape the sound, and generally make the track sound as good as possible. I used a combination of software plugins and my own ears to get the mix just right. It’s a time-consuming process, but it’s so worth it when you finally hear the finished product.
Video Production
Of course, a guitar cover isn't just about the audio – the video is just as important. I wanted to create a video that was visually engaging and that captured the energy of the song. I used a combination of close-up shots of my hands on the guitar and wider shots of me playing the song. I also added some visual effects, like color correction and subtle motion graphics, to make the video more dynamic. I filmed the video using my DSLR camera, which gives a nice, clean image. I also used a couple of LED lights to brighten up the scene and create some interesting shadows. Editing the video is a whole other skill set, and it took me a while to get the hang of it. I used video editing software to cut the clips together, add transitions, and sync the audio with the video. It’s a labor of love, but I enjoy the process of creating something that people can watch and listen to.
Final Thoughts and Call to Action
I’m incredibly proud of how this cover turned out, and I’m so excited to share it with you guys. It was a challenging project, but it was also incredibly rewarding. I learned so much about guitar playing, recording, and video production in the process. I really put my heart and soul into this, and I hope you can hear that when you watch and listen. If you haven't already, please check out the video on my YouTube channel! I’ve put a link in the description below. And if you like what you hear, please give the video a thumbs up, leave a comment, and subscribe to my channel for more guitar covers and original music. I’m always looking for new songs to learn and cover, so if you have any suggestions, please let me know in the comments. Your support means the world to me, and it motivates me to keep creating content. Thanks for watching, and I’ll see you in the next video!
Keywords
Guitar cover, Gojira, The Heaviest Matter of the Universe, Joe Duplantier, Ibanez RG, Kemper Profiler, metal guitar, guitar tutorial, music performance, environmental message, heavy riffs, down-picking technique, pinch harmonics, guitar solo, recording process, video production, YouTube channel, music content