We needed that time, I think, just to make sure we are all on the same page, make sure what Gojira is bringing next is strong enough. Also, we don't have that much pressure. We are not a young band anymore. We're not like Sleep Token or Lorna Shore where the next album is so important. We've been a band for 30 years, so Gojira is already an established band.
Murry was a mentor to me when we made that first record all those decades ago, and this album felt like the right time to work with him in that capacity again.
Dropping on October 10th via Polyvinyl Record Co., Belong is the follow-up to Melina Duterte's excellent 2019 album. Duterte wrote, composed, performed, produced, engineered, and mixed the record, which marks her first project to feature guest vocalists.
"With Shooter, I've never felt more like myself in the studio. I don't feel judged. At all. It's truly a partnership. Hell, I'd say he's my best friend, and you can't aspire to greatness without that kind of trust."