French metal band Gojira has temporarily replaced drummer Mario Duplantier with Luigi Paraventi for forthcoming US performances because an unspecified immigration issue has prevented Duplantier from travelling to the country. The change affects the band’s summer touring schedule, although Gojira said Duplantier had tried hard to resolve the situation and was disappointed to miss the shows.

The US run began on 16 July at Rock Fest in Wisconsin and is due to continue through festival dates until September. Paraventi, who plays with Paleface Swiss and posts drum covers online, will fill in; Gojira did not provide further details about the immigration problem.