4 November 2026 – Cult of Luna Recruit Gojira's Joe Duplantier for Sadness Will Reign Ahead of New Album

Swedish post-metal group Cult of Luna have released "Sadness Will Reign", a new collaboration featuring Joe Duplantier of French progressive-metal band Gojira. The recording provides the final preview of Cult of Luna's forthcoming tenth studio album In the Shadow of Your Shadow, scheduled for November 6 through RED CRK.

Cult of Luna have developed an international reputation through expansive compositions that combine heavy guitar arrangements with atmospheric passages and emotionally intense performances. Their latest single introduces Duplantier's distinctive vocal delivery into that environment, creating a collaboration between two influential figures within contemporary experimental metal.

"Sadness Will Reign" follows earlier singles "The Rift", "A Way Back" and the album's title track. Vocalist Johannes Persson has praised Duplantier's recognisable voice, explaining that its individual character remains apparent even alongside other powerful metal singers. The collaboration arrives shortly before Cult of Luna's scheduled headline performance at Damnation Festival in Manchester.

In the Shadow of Your Shadow represents another chapter in a career defined by the group's willingness to explore extended musical structures and unconventional arrangements. Although Cult of Luna occupy the heavier end of the independent music spectrum, their atmospheric approach frequently connects with listeners interested in experimental rock and ambient composition. Apparently when an already enormous wall of guitars requires additional emotional intensity, inviting Joe Duplantier to contribute vocals is a remarkably effective solution. Experience immersive heavy sounds in our metal section and explore more releases in our music news archive.