Gojira drummer Mario Duplantier will miss the band’s upcoming U.S. festival appearances due to an unspecified immigration issue that has prevented him from traveling to the United States in time. He will be temporarily replaced by Luigi Paraventi of Paleface Swiss.
Gojira issued the following statement via social media: “Hey everyone! Important update regarding our festival performances.
“Mario is dealing with an immigration issue that has made it impossible for him to travel to the US in time for our shows. Mario is heartbroken not to be here with us and has fought hard every step of the way to find a solution.
“We’re so grateful for the incredible Luigi Paraventi of Paleface Swiss, who has stepped in on short notice. Player 2 has entered the game — RESPECT. We can’t wait to see you all out there!!”
Affected shows:
- July 16 — Cadott, WI — Rock Fest
- July 17 — Grand Rapids, MI — Upheaval
- July 18 — Mansfield, OH — Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival
In February 2025, Gojira was honored with a Grammy in the “Best Metal Performance” category at the 67th annual Grammy Awards for “Mea Culpa (Ah! Ça Ira!),” a version of the French Revolution-era standard the band performed at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games opening ceremony alongside opera singer Marina Viotti. Gojira made history as the first metal band to ever perform at the Olympic Games.
Gojira’s latest album, Fortitude, debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Albums chart in May 2021 and at No. 12 on the Billboard 200. The album was recorded and produced by Joseph Duplantier at Silver Cord Studio in Ridgewood, Queens, New York, and mixed by Andy Wallace (Nirvana, Rage Against the Machine). In 2016, Metal Hammer called Gojira “metal’s most important band.”
