Drummer Shannon Larkin and guitarist/vocalist Tony Rombola have confirmed their exit from multi-platinum hard rockers Godsmack. Eyebrows were recently raised when the band launched their overseas tour last month with live replacements in guitarist Sam Bam Koltun (Dorothy, Faster Pussycat, etc.) and drummer Will Hunt (Evanescence). At the time, the band’s vocalist/guitarist Sully Erna stated:
“I can tell you that there has definitely been some changes that have happened in the last few months. They are changes that we’re not sure will be permanent or temporary, but everybody and everyone is in good health and in really good spirits. And the band is doing better than ever.”
He later went on to say, “Tony and Shannon have some personal things going on, and they’re not with us. So we have a couple of guest musicians playing with us that are phenomenal.”
Now Larkin has spilled the beans in a since-pulled new video, confirming both his and Rombola‘s exit. He stated in that video:
“There’s been lots of speculation about that. First of all, I just want to thank everyone for the outpouring of texts from all my family and friends. I’m okay, Tony‘s okay.
We did quit the band last year after lots of talking to Sully and Robbie, and they understood that we didn’t want to tour anymore. That’s the reason. We understood that they wanted to tour, and so we understood each other and in the end, Godsmack‘s out there touring and we are out here happily living our lives. Tony‘s turning 60. I’m turning 58. It’s not a physical thing. We just want to be home with everything that we love. 40 years I’ve been touring, 28 years for Rombola. We’re getting a little older so we decided to quit.
It wasn’t a bad thing. I will talk more about it in the future, but it’s all love. We’re brothers for life with Sully and Robby, and we wish Will and Sam all the best. All the fans, keep going – they’re kicking ass. Sully said at the very end, ‘all good things must come to an end.’ Godsmack didn’t come to an end, it’s just a new chapter for them, and it’s certainly a new chapter for Tony and I. We’re already making new music and everybody’s happy.”
[via Metal Injection]
