What drums did Mario Duplantier use on L'Enfant Sauvage?

On L'Enfant Sauvage (2012), Mario Duplantier played a DW Collector's Series maple kit in a Custom Lacquer Black Burst finish. The configuration included dual 22" x 18" bass drums (played as two independent instruments, not a double pedal), 10" and 12" rack toms, and 14" and 16" floor toms. This was a significant departure from his earlier Tama Starclassic Bubinga setup used on The Way of All Flesh — the DW maple shells deliver a cleaner, more defined attack suited to the album's more produced sound.

What cymbals does Mario Duplantier play on L'Enfant Sauvage?

Mario Duplantier switched to Meinl Byzance Brilliant cymbals for L'Enfant Sauvage, replacing the Zildjian K Custom series he had used on earlier Gojira albums. His setup included 14" Byzance Brilliant hi-hats, crashes in 17", 19", and 20" sizes, a 21" Byzance Brilliant ride, and an 18" Byzance Brilliant china. The Brilliant finish — a mirror-polished surface — adds brightness and projection compared to the darker, more complex Zildjian K Custom character, contributing to the album's more articulate upper-frequency texture.

Was L'Enfant Sauvage Grammy nominated?

Yes. Gojira received a Grammy nomination for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance at the 2013 Grammy Awards for the title track 'L'Enfant Sauvage.' This was a landmark achievement for a French progressive death metal band and confirmed the album's crossover appeal. The band also appeared on the cover of Guitar World magazine during this album cycle — extraordinary mainstream recognition for an uncompromising heavy metal act.

L'Enfant Sauvage Drum Setup: Mario Duplantier's DW Era Breakthrough | MetalForge

Discover Mario Duplantier's complete drum kit on Gojira's Grammy-nominated L'Enfant Sauvage. Full breakdown of his DW Collector's Series maple kit, Meinl Byz...

Visit MetalForge →