Gojira swaps drummer for US festivals due to immigration

French heavy metal band Gojira has announced a last-minute replacement for drummer Mario Duplantier for a series of U.S. festival appearances this week, after Duplantier was unable to travel from France due to an immigration issue. He will be temporarily replaced by Luigi Paraventi, drummer for the Swiss metal band Paleface Swiss.

The band announced the substitution on social media on Thursday, July 16, stating that Duplantier was "heartbroken" not to be able to perform and had fought to find a solution. Paraventi will step in for three scheduled performances: Rock Fest in Cadott, Wisconsin on July 16; the Upheaval Festival in Grand Rapids, Michigan on July 17; and the Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival in Mansfield, Ohio on July 18. The band's statement included the phrase "Player 2 has entered the game," a playful nod to the shared names of the drummers and the iconic Nintendo video game characters Mario and Luigi. The social media post featured side-by-side photos of the two drummers and the cartoon brothers.

Gojira, formed by brothers Joe and Mario Duplantier alongside guitarist Christian Andreu, is one of France's most internationally successful rock acts. The band...