Gojira’s Joe Duplantier Joins Cult of Luna on New Single

Cult of Luna have unveiled Sadness Will Reign, a new single featuring Gojira frontman Joe Duplantier, just days before the release of their tenth studio album, In The Shadow Of Your Shadow. The track, available now, marks the fourth preview from the highly anticipated record, which arrives on November 6 via RED CRK.

The collaboration pairs two of post-metal’s most influential acts. Cult of Luna, hailing from Umeå, Sweden, are known for their dense, atmospheric soundscapes and politically charged lyrics. Gojira, the French metal titans, have carved out a reputation for blending technical precision with environmental themes and a signature guttural vocal style—here delivered by Duplantier alongside Cult of Luna’s Johannes Persson.

A Meeting of Heavyweights

In The Shadow Of Your Shadow continues Cult of Luna’s tradition of ambitious, genre-defying work. The album features another notable guest: David Eugene Edwards of 16 Horsepower and Wovenhand, who appears on the track One More Day. Past collaborators include Mark Lanegan, Julie Christmas, and film composer Colin Stetson, underscoring the band’s ability to merge heavy music with diverse artistic voices.

For Gojira fans, Duplantier’s appearance offers a tantalizing glimpse of what’s to come. The band, which last released Fortitude in 2021—a record crowned Metal Hammer’s Album of the Year—has been tight-lipped about their eighth studio effort. Drummer Mario Duplantier hinted in 2023 that new material might arrive in 2026, though no official announcement has been made. In the meantime, Gojira remain active, with upcoming shows supporting System of a Down at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on June 10 and 12.

The Sound of *Sadness Will Reign

The new single lives up to its apocalyptic title, delivering five minutes of crushing riffs and layered vocals. Persson praised Duplantier’s distinctive growl, calling it a key reason Gojira stand out in the metal landscape. "His voice has its own unique character," Persson said. "It would stand out even if you put him next to a hundred or a thousand other vocalists."

The track’s sound draws comparisons to Neurosis, particularly in its use of slow-building tension and cathartic release. It’s a return to the raw, immersive heaviness that defined Cult of Luna’s early work, like their sophomore album Salvation.

Tour Dates and Album Details

Cult of Luna will tour Europe in support of In The Shadow Of Your Shadow from late February to mid-March 2027. The trek includes: - February 26: Lausanne, Switzerland (Les Docks) - March 6: London, UK (O2 Forum Kentish Town) - March 13: Prague, Czech Republic (Archa +)

Support slots will feature Bruit ≤ and Youth Code. Tickets for the London show are available now.

For fans eager to hear more, In The Shadow Of Your Shadow arrives this Friday. Until then, Sadness Will Reign serves as a powerful reminder of the creative synergy between two of metal’s most visionary bands.