https://realrocklab.com/people/kiko-loureiro/Recent content in Kiko Loureiro on Real Rock LabHugoen-usWed, 22 Jul 2026 13:45:18 +0000https://realrocklab.com/brazilian-metal-drummers-why-gojira-slipknot/Wed, 22 Jul 2026 13:45:18 +0000https://realrocklab.com/brazilian-metal-drummers-why-gojira-slipknot/<p><em>When Gojira lost their drummer to a US immigration problem in July 2026, they called a 21-year-old Brazilian. If that sounds familiar, it&rsquo;s because it keeps happening — and the pattern is the story.</em></p> <h2 id="the-news-in-sixty-seconds">The news, in sixty seconds</h2> <p>Mid-July 2026, <a href="https://realrocklab.com/bands/gojira/">Gojira</a> had three American festival dates on the calendar and a serious problem: <a href="https://realrocklab.com/people/mario-duplantier/">Mario Duplantier</a> — the drummer, one half of the Duplantier brothers, arguably the most recognizable rhythmic voice in modern metal — couldn&rsquo;t get into the country. The band&rsquo;s statement kept it short: &ldquo;Mario is dealing with an immigration issue that has made it impossible for him to travel to the US in time for our shows&rdquo; (<a href="https://loudwire.com/gojira-fill-in-drummer-immigration-issue/">Loudwire, July 16, Lauryn Schaffner</a>).</p>