Despite lineup changes, Godsmack isn't calling it quits just yet.
Frontman Sully Erna is setting the record straight after earlier comments suggested 2023's Lighting Up the Sky might be the band's final album. According to Erna, he was specifically referring to the last release featuring the original lineup—not the end of the band itself.
That shift comes after guitarist Tony Rombola and drummer Shannon Larkin decided to step away from touring, choosing to move on from the demands of life on the road. Erna and bassist Robbie Merrill have since retooled the lineup, bringing in guitarist Sam Koltun and drummer Wade Murff.
Erna says that new guitarist Sam Koltun and drummer Wade Murff have inspired him and bassist Robbie Merrill to see how long the band can continue. "We don't know if it's gonna feel good, not feel good, if it's gonna have longevity or if it's gonna die next week. But we've got some gas in the tank now, so let's go out there and run it and see how it feels, see how people respond. Who knows; we might get surprised again and have Godsmack 2.0 for the next 10 years running, the second chapter in my life."
And this new version of the band isn't slowing down. Erna says Godsmack sounds "better than ever," with the possibility of new music arriving as soon as next year.
In the meantime, the band is gearing up for a North American tour this summer alongside Stone Temple Pilots and Dorothy.
That tour will also double as something a little more personal for Erna, who's now publicly in a relationship with Dorothy frontwoman Dorothy Martin. Speaking about their connection, she said "He's such a good, solid man. I feel safe with him. And we had a wonderful friendship for months and months. I've never laughed so much in my life. My face hurts."
Godsmack has a new song on the way with Dorothy. It's called "Set Me Free" and it will be out just before Godsmack, Dorothy and Stone Temple Pilots kick off the Ride of Rock tour May 10th in Bristow, Virgina.
Sully Erna told Billboard that the track is "an incredibly powerful and really straight-up, bad-ass, boot-kicking rock song. [Dorothy] has a hell of a voice; she's so cool and smokey and bluesy."
Looks like it's a brand-new chapter for Godsmack… on and off the stage. Don't miss Godsmack at Sonic Temple at Historic Crew Stadium Sunday May 17th at 7:10pm on the Temple Stage!
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