GODSMACK's Sully Erna Promises New Music and a Fierce Future
In a recent sit-down with Rock 100.5 The KATT FM's Cameron Buchholtz at the Rocklahoma festival, GODSMACK's charismatic frontman Sully Erna dropped some electrifying news: the band is plotting their next sonic assault following the release of 2023's 'Lighting Up The Sky.' With a schedule packed until New Year’s Eve, Erna confirmed, 'It's gonna happen for sure. After we wrap this year, I'll take a breather, and then we’ll dive into writing a new record. Expect fresh GODSMACK tunes by the summer of '27.'
During this intense discussion, Erna also shed light on the current lineup, which features himself on vocals and guitar, alongside bassist Robbie Merrill, guitarist Sam Koltun, and the powerhouse drummer Mike Mangini, who made his live debut with the band back in June after the sudden exit of Wade Murff. Murff, who only joined the ranks in May as the replacement for longtime drummer Shannon Larkin, vacated the throne as both he and guitarist Tony Rombola chose to step back from the relentless touring lifestyle.
Reflecting on the recently released live album, 'Live At Mohegan Sun,' which serves as a fitting farewell to the classic lineup, Erna stated, 'It was the perfect way to retire [Larkin and Rombola] as they wanted to and kind of close that chapter. But me and Robbie had a conversation. We’re not ready to give it up yet. We still feel young. We still feel good. We wanna play music. We love it.' With Mangini and Koltun in the mix, he emphasized that GODSMACK is as formidable as ever, if not stronger.
When discussing Mangini's integration into the band, Erna couldn't help but praise the drummer's skills. 'It goes to show you how good Shannon was, because you need someone at Mangini's level to cover what Shannon does. There it is.' The 'Battle Of The Drums,' a staple of GODSMACK's electrifying live shows, has taken on a new life with Mangini. Erna shared, 'It's been great. He’s still settling into it, and we’re still finding each other. But it’s going really well, man. He’s fun to play with and watch.'
As the conversation shifted to the topic of authenticity in live performances, Erna made it clear where he stands: 'We never will use backing tracks. I can't wrap my head around that. Musicians spend tens of thousands of hours honing their craft, only to play to a computer? That doesn't fly with me. If you're layering your music that much, then you shouldn't be performing that song.' With a fierce commitment to raw sound and live integrity, Erna and GODSMACK continue to embody the very essence of rock and metal.