Gojira's albums ranked: A critical look at the French progressive-metal band's catalog

When Gojira burst onto the international stage with 2005's From Mars to Sirius, they seemingly came out of nowhere.

In truth, they just came from an unlikely source — Bayonne, France, not exactly a heavy-metal hot bed — and had already been grinding away, largely unknown, in their homeland for nearly a decade.

Today Gojira — vocalist-guitarist Joe Dupantier and his brother, drummer Mario, joined by guitarist Christian Andreu and bassist Jean-Michel Labadie — are respected as one of the most vital bands in heavy music.