Gorguts has parted ways with their drummer of nearly a decade, Patrice Hamelin. Hamelin drummed on Gorguts' 2016 epic Pleiades' Dust and is replaced by Michel Bélanger of Deviant Process and The Flaying. In a statement, Gorguts mastermind Luc Lemay noted that Hamelin is leaving the band for personal reasons and to focus on his business.
"Hi everyone, I'm writing today to announce that drummer Michel Bélanger will be joining Gorguts, as Patrice Hamelin has left the band for personal reasons and to focus on his business," wrote Lemay. "We want to wish Patrice all the best and we want to thank him for all these years for sharing the stage together! We love you man!!!!!
"I've met Michel a few years ago having played two shows with DEVIANT PROCESS from Québec city. His talent struck me right away! He's a very skilled, talented, focused and devoted musician. We can't wait to hit the stage at Maryland Death Fest next spring with Michel! Horns up everyone!!!!!"
In a recent interview with RichardMetalFan, Lemay shared some thrilling insights about the band's first new music since 2016.
"The new album, I'm gonna start working on this right after this tour. I took a long break from composition. My mind was just not into it. And I didn't feel I had anything to say. But now I have a clearer vision of what I wanna do, so it will be an easier task to do."
Gorguts made headlines earlier this year when they performed for the first time in nearly six years at Decibel Magazine Metal & Beer Fest: Philly. To celebrate their triumphant return, the band played a special set featuring exclusive material from their groundbreaking albums, Obscura from 1998 and Considered Dead from 1991. So stay tuned, because new Gorguts is in our future!
