Mario Duplantier's Drum Setup on Gojira's The Link (2003) | MetalForge
Mario Duplantier recorded The Link (2003) on a Tama Starclassic Performer kit with a Tama Starclassic Performer Snare snare.
Complete breakdown of Mario Duplantier's early drum kit on Gojira's The Link (2003). Discover his Tama Starclassic Performer setup, Zildjian cymbals, and how...
Frequently Asked Questions
What drums did Mario Duplantier use on The Link?
On Gojira's The Link (2003), Mario Duplantier played a Tama Starclassic Performer drum kit. The setup featured dual 22" x 18" bass drums — played as two independent instruments with separate pedals rather than a double-pedal mechanism — plus 10" and 12" rack toms and 14" and 16" floor toms. The Tama Starclassic Performer's birch/bubinga hybrid shell construction gave the drums a punchy, focused attack well-suited to progressive death metal. This was Mario's first serious professional-grade kit, a step up from the lo-fi Terra Incognita setup and the precursor to the full Tama Starclassic Bubinga kit he would use on From Mars to Sirius.
How did Mario's setup differ between The Link and From Mars to Sirius?
Between The Link (2003) and From Mars to Sirius (2005), Mario Duplantier made two incremental gear refinements within the same Tama/Zildjian relationship. First, he moved from the Tama Starclassic Performer to the full Tama Starclassic Bubinga, which delivered a deeper, more resonant sound with greater sustain. Second, his cymbals evolved from the brighter, forward-projecting Zildjian A and ZBT series to Zildjian K Custom Darks, which have a warmer, more complex harmonic character that defined the atmospheric passages on From Mars. The core configuration (dual bass drums, four toms, single pedals per kick) remained unchanged. The recording environment also changed dramatically: The Link used direct, close-miked recording in Bayonne, while From Mars benefited from the natural reverb of the Duplantiers' converted swimming pool studio.
What cymbals does Mario Duplantier use on The Link?
Mario Duplantier used Zildjian A and ZBT series cymbals on Gojira's The Link (2003). His setup included 14" A New Beat hi-hats, 17" and 19" A crashes, a 20" A ride, and an 18" ZBT China. These early Zildjian lines are known for a bright, assertive, forward-projecting character — distinct from the darker, more complex Zildjian K Custom Darks Mario would later use on From Mars to Sirius. On The Link's rawer, more direct production, that brightness was an advantage, cutting through the dense guitar arrangements without requiring mix assistance.