# What's In Mario Duplantier's Environmental Kit: Complete Gear Breakdown > Discover Mario Duplantier's complete Gojira drum setup. Full breakdown of his Tama Starclassic Bubinga kit, Zildjian cymbals, dual bass drums, and the gear behind 'Flying Whales' and 'Silvera'. **Type:** Kit Breakdown **Drummer(s):** [Mario Duplantier](/llms/drummers/mario-duplantier.md) **Band / Album:** Gojira **Genre:** Progressive Death Metal ## Overview Mario Duplantier isn't just Gojira's drummer — he's the heartbeat behind one of metal's most powerful and environmentally conscious bands. Born June 19, 1981, in Ondres, France, Mario co-founded Gojira (originally Godzilla) in 1996 with his brother Joe, and has spent nearly three decades developing a drumming style that combines crushing power with tribal sophistication. What sets Mario apart from other extreme metal drummers is his approach to dynamics and groove. While many death metal drummers rely on relentless blast beats, Mario creates space and breathing room within Gojira's dense wall of sound. His playing on tracks like "Flying Whales," "Silvera," and "Stranded" demonstrates that heavy music doesn't require constant aggression — sometimes the heaviest moments are the ones that breathe. Beyond his drumming, Mario is a visual artist who creates all of Gojira's album artwork, merchandise designs, and stage visuals. This artistic sensibility extends to his drumming: every pattern, every fill, every dynamic shift is composed with visual intention. His live performances are as much visual spectacles as musical ones. From headlining Download Festival to opening for Metallica in stadiums worldwide, Gojira has risen from the French underground to global metal prominence. At the center of it all, Mario's dual bass drum attack and tribal-influenced grooves have become as iconic as Joe's guitar tone. This article breaks down every piece of gear behind that thunderous, earth-shaking sound. ## Gear Breakdown - **Drums:** Tama Tama Starclassic Bubinga (Custom Natural Bubinga / Matte Black (varies by tour) finish) - **Snare:** Tama Tama S.L.P. G-Maple Snare, 14" x 6.5" - **Cymbals:** Zildjian — Zildjian K Custom / A Custom - **Hardware / Pedals:** Tama Iron Cobra 900 Power Glide; Tama Iron Cobra Lever Glide Hi-Hat Stand; Tama 1st Chair Ergo-Rider Throne; Tama Mario Duplantier Signature Sticks; Tama Star Stand System - **Heads:** Remo Emperor Coated (batter), Remo Ambassador Snare Side (resonant) - **Snare tuning:** Medium-high for maximum crack and ghost note sensitivity ### Mario's Tama Starclassic Bubinga Beast Mario Duplantier's Tama Starclassic Bubinga kit is built for one purpose: delivering the crushing, room-filling power that defines Gojira's sound. The Bubinga shells — made from African rosewood — provide exceptional density and projection, cutting through even the most aggressive guitar walls. The dual 22" x 18" bass drum setup is central to Mario's style. Unlike drummers who use a double pedal on a single kick, Mario maintains two independent bass drums for several reasons: the visual impact is undeniable, the independent resonance creates a fuller low-end, and the physical sensation of playing two drums differs from a double pedal. Watch any Gojira live performance and those twin kicks command attention. Mario's tom configuration strikes a balance between the melodic needs of Gojira's progressive passages and the brutal efficiency required for their death metal roots. The three rack toms (10", 12", 13") provide a focused melodic range for his signature fills, while the two floor toms (16" and 18") deliver the thunder for low-end accents. The Bubinga/Birch shell construction offers a unique tonal profile: Bubinga's density provides attack and fundamental, while birch's natural EQ curve adds focused midrange punch. This combination is particularly effective in Gojira's mix, where drums need to be felt as much as heard. Mario tunes his kit on the lower end for maximum weight, but not so low that articulation suffers. The result is drums that sound massive on their own but sit perfectly in Gojira's carefully crafted mix. ### The Crack of the Wild: G-Maple Attack Mario Duplantier's snare drum needs to accomplish a demanding task: cutting through Gojira's wall of tuned-down guitars while maintaining the musicality required for their progressive moments. The Tama S.L.P. G-Maple accomplishes both with its unique diagonal-grain maple construction. The "G-Maple" designation refers to the shell's diagonal grain orientation, which provides enhanced projection and attack compared to standard vertical-grain construction. This design gives Mario the crack he needs for blast beats and tribal patterns, while the maple warmth ensures the drum remains musical during quieter passages. At 14" x 6.5", the drum offers enough depth for body and projection without becoming unwieldy. Mario tunes it in the medium-high range for maximum crack and response, essential for the ghost note work that adds texture to Gojira's grooves. The S.L.P. (Sound Lab Project) series represents Tama's experimental line, featuring unique shell materials and constructions. For Mario, the G-Maple became the perfect choice for balancing aggression and musicality — a balance that defines his entire approach to drumming. During live performances, the snare's projection is crucial. Gojira plays at thunderous volumes, and Mario's snare cuts through without electronic assistance, speaking to both the drum's design and his powerful stroke. ### The Zildjian Arsenal Mario Duplantier's Zildjian cymbal setup combines the dark complexity of K series cymbals with the bright projection of A Custom models. This hybrid approach reflects Gojira's music itself: simultaneously dark and powerful, complex and direct. The 14" K Sweet Hi-Hats are central to Mario's playing. The "Sweet" designation indicates a thinner, more responsive design that reacts to subtle stick work while still opening up for aggressive accents. Mario's hi-hat work is understated compared to many metal drummers — he often rides the kick and snare groove rather than filling space with constant hi-hat, making each opening and accent more impactful. For crashes, Mario blends K Custom Dark and A Custom models. The K Custom crashes provide the dark, complex tones suited to Gojira's atmospheric passages, while the A Custom crashes cut through during aggressive sections. This dynamic range — from whisper to wall of sound — is essential to Gojira's compositional approach. The Z Custom 21" Mega Bell Ride is a statement piece. The "Mega Bell" designation means a larger, heavier bell that produces a cutting, almost gong-like tone when struck. Mario uses the bell frequently for accents, creating the distinctive "ping" that punctuates Gojira's heaviest riffs. The body of the cymbal provides controlled wash for riding, though Mario often prefers hi-hat or crash riding. Dual Chinas — K Custom and Oriental — give Mario options for trashy accents at different volumes and in different positions. The K Custom is darker and more complex, while the Oriental Trash is brighter and more aggressive. ## Key Facts - Co-founded Gojira with brother Joe in 1996 - Tama Drums and Zildjian Cymbals endorsee - Visual artist who creates all Gojira artwork - Known for tribal-influenced progressive death metal drumming - Uses dual bass drums for visual and sonic impact - Grammy-nominated performances on "Amazonia" and "Fortitude" - Bubinga shells provide exceptional density and projection - Dual bass drums for visual impact and independent resonance - Lower tuning for maximum weight while maintaining articulation - Natural/matte finishes reflect environmental consciousness - Kit size rivals any progressive death metal setup - Toms configured for both melodic and brutal applications - Estimated kit value: $8,000-12,000 (Starclassic Bubinga configuration) - Estimated snare value: $500-650 (S.L.P. G-Maple) **Source:** https://metalforge.io/articles/whats-in-mario-duplantiers-kit **More LLM resources:** [Site index](/llms.txt) · [Full database](/llms-full.txt) · [Master FAQ](/llms/faq.md) · [Drummer index](/llms/index.md) *Last updated: 2026-06-16 · Source: [MetalForge.io](https://metalforge.io)*