Joe Duplantier recently shared his opinions on Greg Kubacki, who temporarily replaced him for Gojira’s France tour after his hand injury. Duplantier shared his comments in a new post on Instagram.
Gojira’s guitarist shared some new photos from the band’s show in Lille, France. He expressed his gratitude to Greg Kubacki for helping out the band during their troubled time.
He wrote, “Our French tour is ON!!! Our friend, Greg Kubacki, on guitar is killing it!”
The guitarist previously addressed his recovery and the temporary replacement arrangement for the tour. After undergoing minor surgery for a hand injury sustained weeks earlier, Duplantier explained that he would be unable to perform all his guitar parts during the French dates.
“I hurt my hand a few weeks ago. After getting minor surgery, I’m on the mend, but unfortunately, I won’t be able to play all my guitar parts on the next tour in France,” Duplantier said. “No worries, though, we hired our good friend Greg Kubacki of the incredible CAR BOMB to ‘Give us a hand.'”
Despite the setback, Duplantier maintained a positive outlook about the experience ahead.
“The mood in our camp is up there, though, as we’re embarking on an interesting experience on our own turf. Show must go on,” he added.
The decision to bring in Kubacki represents a significant moment for Gojira. The band navigates an unexpected challenge while maintaining momentum heading into their French dates. The connection between the two musicians runs deeper than a simple fill-in arrangement, rooted in years of friendship and professional collaboration.
Duplantier injured his right hand, which required minor surgery before the tour’s launch, according to Sortiraparis. The injury specifically affected his thumb, necessitating ligament surgery that forced him to step back from guitar duties for the shows.
Greg Kubacki, the guitarist from the New York-based technical metal band Car Bomb, was brought in to fill the vacancy. As reported by Louder Sound, Kubacki is described as a long-time neighbor and friend of the band. His professional ties run deep—Duplantier had previously produced Car Bomb’s 2016 album. Kubacki made his debut with Gojira at the ReimsArena in Reims on November 27, 2025. This marked the first time the band performed as a five-piece on stage.
While Kubacki handles the guitar responsibilities, Duplantier continues to manage vocal duties throughout the tour, per Guitar World. This arrangement allows the band to maintain their performance schedule without compromising the quality of their shows.
Looking ahead, Duplantier is expected to return to full fitness by next summer when Gojira embarks on a massive European stadium tour. The tour features performances with Metallica, Pantera, and Knocked Loose. Additionally, the band is preparing to release a new album in 2026. This signals that the temporary setback is merely a brief interruption in their creative momentum.
