It feels like we were talking about Gojira being in the studio forever, and it turns out we weren't totally wrong! According to drummer Mario Duplantier in an interview with Kaaos TV, the new album Fortitude wrapped up recording in January 2020. Duplantier said the band was just about to move on to the mixing process when the pandemic hit and halted all work on the record.
"We were done with the vocals in January 2020, and we were about to mix the album with Andy Wallace in March — around the 10th. But we had to cancel the mixing, because Andy was in Florida and we couldn't fly, et cetera, et cetera. But the songs were ready.
"And I would say the weird thing is, in the band, we thought, 'Oh my God, with this pandemic, the songs [don't] mean anything.' Because talking about the Amazonia in this time of pandemic — it's such a huge problem for everyone, so it seems a bit awkward to talk about something else. But finally, after one year or pandemic, we think it's the right moment to release this album, because now the lyrics are actually in [line] with what's happening with the world.
"The album is talking about strength — it's like a quest of courage — so actually, it's the perfect time to release it now. So there is a second dimension to it."
Fortitude is out April 30 and pre-orders are available here. The band's tour with Deftones is also rescheduled for the below dates.
August 12 – Minneapolis, MN @ The Armory
August 14 – Milwaukee, WI @ Eagles Ballroom
August 15 – Sterling Heights, MI @ Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill
August 17 – Chicago, IL @ Huntington Bank Pavilion
August 19 – Toronto, ON, Canada @ RBC Echo Beach
August 20 – Laval, QC, Canada @ Place Bell
August 21 – Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun Arena
August 23 – Boston, MA @ Agganis Arena
August 24 – New York, NY @ The Rooftop at Pier 17
August 27 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Met Philadelphia
August 28 – Asbury Park, NJ @ Stone Pony Summerstage
August 29 – Washington, DC @ The Anthem
August 31 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Petersen Events Center, University of Pittsburgh
September 2 – Indianapolis, IN @ Amphitheater at White River State Park
September 3 – Nashville, TN @ Nashville Municipal Auditorium
September 4 – Atlanta, GA @ Cadence Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park
September 6 – Irving, TX @ The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
September 7 – Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall
September 8 – San Antonio, TX @ AT&T Center
September 10 – Denver, CO @ Pepsi Center
September 11 – Albuquerque, NM @ Isleta Amphitheatre
September 14 – Phoenix, AZ @ Arizona Federal Theatre
September 17 – Los Angeles, CA @ Greek Theatre
September 18 – San Francisco, CA @ Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
September 21 – Seattle, WA @ WAMU Theater
September 22 – Portland, OR @ Theatre of the Clouds at Moda Center
[via Blabbermouth]
