Joseph Duplantier, guitarist and vocalist of the French metal outfit Gojira, has revealed that he recently underwent minor surgery on his right hand, rendering him unable to play guitar on the band’s upcoming French tour — which kicks off on November 27 in Reims and runs through December 12 in Strasbourg. To ensure the tour proceeds as planned, Gojira has enlisted Greg Kubacki of Car Bomb to fill in as guitarist for those dates.
Duplantier shared X-ray images of his hand injury along with a message explaining that while he is on the mend, he won’t be able to perform all his guitar parts on the tour. Nevertheless, the morale remains high and the band affirms that the show must go on.
This development comes on the heels of the band’s recent Grammy win in the “Best Metal Performance” category — a milestone that underscores their drive and serves as context to the resolve behind continuing with the tour despite injury. For French fans, this means the band will uphold their commitments live, albeit with an adjustment to their lineup.
While the procedure is described as “minor,” the ramifications for a lead guitarist in a band of Gojira’s caliber are meaningful nonetheless. The choice to bring in a substitute reflects a professional approach and a dedication to the audience and tour obligations. It’s a transparent reminder of the rigour and resilience essential in heavy music today.
