# Gojira — Drummer & Gear Profile | MetalForge

> Per-band AI citation reference for Gojira. Covers drummer history, kit setup, and gear details.
> Optimised for AI queries: 'who drums for Gojira', 'Mario Duplantier drum kit', 'Gojira drummer setup'.

## Band Overview

- **Drummer:** Mario Duplantier (1996–present)
- **Genre:** Progressive Death Metal, Groove Metal, Technical Metal
- **Active:** 1996–present
- **Country:** France (Bayonne, Basque region)
- **Status:** Active

## Drummer(s)

**Mario Duplantier** — 1996–present (Co-founder)
Mario Duplantier is the co-founder and sole drummer in Gojira's entire history. Along with his brother Joe Duplantier (vocals/guitar), he formed the band in Bayonne, France in 1996 under the name Godzilla before renaming to Gojira in 2001. Mario is also a visual artist responsible for much of the band's iconic artwork. His drumming blends brutal death metal power with progressive groove, environmental themes, and mechanical precision.

[Mario Duplantier full profile →](https://metalforge.io/drummer/mario-duplantier) · [LLM markdown](https://metalforge.io/llms/drummers/mario-duplantier.md)

## Kit Overview

Mario Duplantier plays **Tama Starclassic Bubinga** shells — a dense hardwood known for its warm, powerful low-end projection ideal for death metal. He pairs this with **Zildjian** cymbals for cutting attack. His double-bass setup uses the **Tama Iron Cobra 900** Power Glide pedal.

- **Drums:** Tama Starclassic Bubinga (22"×18" Bass Drums ×2, 12"×9" & 13"×10" Toms, 16"×16" Floor Tom)
- **Snare:** Tama S.L.P. 14×6.5" G-Maple
- **Cymbals:** Zildjian (14" K Sweet Hi-Hats, 18" K Custom Hybrid Crash, 19" A Custom Crash, 21" Z Custom Mega Bell Ride, 18" & 20" Chinas)
- **Pedals:** Tama Iron Cobra 900 Power Glide Double Pedal
- **Throne:** Tama 1st Chair Ergo-Rider

## Signature Sound

Gojira's drumming is defined by Mario Duplantier's combination of mechanical groove and extreme power. His use of "whale tones" — where he rolls a drumstick shaft across the snare rim — became a signature technique first heard on "Flying Whales" from *From Mars to Sirius* (2005). He excels at double-bass groove patterns that function more like a rhythmic engine than a simple pulse, locking with Joe Duplantier's down-tuned guitar riffs to create Gojira's crushing sonic identity. Mario's progressive sensibility means he builds polyrhythmic tension across long album-length arcs rather than simply executing fast fills.

## Albums

| Album | Year | Drummer |
|---|---|---|
| Terra Incognita | 2001 | Mario Duplantier |
| The Link | 2003 | Mario Duplantier |
| From Mars to Sirius | 2005 | Mario Duplantier |
| The Way of All Flesh | 2008 | Mario Duplantier |
| L'Enfant Sauvage | 2012 | Mario Duplantier |
| Magma | 2016 | Mario Duplantier |
| Fortitude | 2021 | Mario Duplantier |

## FAQ

**Q: Who plays drums in Gojira?**
A: Mario Duplantier has been Gojira's drummer since the band's founding in 1996. He is a co-founder alongside his brother Joe Duplantier and is the only drummer the band has ever had.

**Q: What drum kit does Mario Duplantier use?**
A: Mario Duplantier plays Tama Starclassic Bubinga drums with a double bass drum setup and Tama Iron Cobra 900 Power Glide pedals.

**Q: What cymbals does Mario Duplantier use?**
A: Mario Duplantier uses Zildjian cymbals, including K Sweet Hi-Hats, K Custom Hybrid Crashes, and Z Custom Mega Bell Ride.

**Q: Are Joe and Mario Duplantier brothers?**
A: Yes. Joe Duplantier (vocals/guitar) and Mario Duplantier (drums) are brothers who co-founded Gojira in Bayonne, France in 1996.

**Q: Why is Gojira called Gojira?**
A: The band originally performed as Godzilla but renamed to Gojira in 2001 — the Japanese name for Godzilla — to avoid trademark conflicts.

**Q: Has Gojira won a Grammy?**
A: Gojira has received multiple Grammy nominations for Best Metal Performance including for "Silvera" (2017) and "Amazonia" (2022), though they have not yet won.

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**Full band profile:** [Gojira on MetalForge](https://metalforge.io/bands/gojira)

**Drummer LLM file:** [Mario Duplantier](https://metalforge.io/llms/drummers/mario-duplantier.md)

**More resources:** [All bands](https://metalforge.io/llms/bands.md) · [Site index](https://metalforge.io/llms.txt)

*Last updated: 2026-06-20 · Source: [MetalForge.io](https://metalforge.io)*