It seems as though the sun has not actually set on Godsmack‘s studio days. The multi-platinum hard rockers announced back in 2022 that their 2023 album “Lighting Up The Sky” would be the last, with the band essentially planning to continue on as a legacy artist. However, the spring of 2025 saw the band bid farewell to two key members, guitarist Tony Rombola and drummer Shannon Larkin.
Earlier this month, frontman/guitarist Sully Erna confirmed the group’s latest touring lineup, having welcomed in drummer Wade Murff (Daughtry, Prong, Orgy, etc.) and guitarist Sam Koltun (Dorothy, etc.). It would appear those lineup changes have led to a change of heart, as Erna has since reversed his stance on the band’s future output. Speaking recently with Billboard, Erna stated:
“Definitely there’s gonna be a new record — I just don’t know when it’s coming. We’ll probably get some new music out by early ’27, I suppose. I’m starting to noodle (on new songs), but it’s a little too soon to say.”
He went on to add:
“Me and Robbie [Merrill, Godsmack guitarist] sat down and had a long talk. We contemplated kind of retiring the band…but we were just like, ‘We don’t really want to stop yet. We feel like we have some gas in the tank. We love what we do.’ (Murff and Koltun) are strong, great players that really did an amazing job at honoring the music. Their attention to detail is perfect, (and) because the vocals don’t change I really think people will enjoy the music and the brand the same as they have in the past, because that’s really what it’s about. It’s about celebrating the music, celebrating the catalog.
So we’re like, ‘Let’s run this thing and see how it feels.’ Me and Robbie started this thing together a long time ago; it was just me and him to begin with, now it’s back to me and him. We made a promise to each other in the early days –‘we don’t know what this thing’s gonna be. Let’s just write some music, get in the studio, have fun with it, and no pressure.’ And the thing ended up turning into a multi-platinum brand.
And now we’re kind of using the same concept. 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.”
Meanwhile, Erna‘s romantic relationship with hard rocker Dorothy is now public knowledge. In a recent interview with ‘Trunk Nation‘ on SiriusXM, Dorothy told Eddie Trunk of Erna [via Blabbermouth.net]: “I love this man. 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.” With word of their relationship starting to make headlines, Dorothy took to her Instagram stories today (April 26th) to say, “I highly recommend falling in love with your best friend, 10/10”
Confirmation of the couple’s status emerges ahead of their upcoming new song together, “Set Me Free“. Godsmack and Dorothy will also be heading out on the road together this year, for a run of shows that will also feature Stone Temple Pilots. Godsmack‘s schedule will play out as follows.
Godsmack with Stone Temple Pilots & Dorothy:
05/07 Daytona Beach, FL – Welcome To Rockville (festival)
05/09 Camden, NJ – WMMR MMRBQ (no Stone Temple Pilots/Dorothy)
05/10 Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live
05/12 Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater
05/14 Charlotte, NC – Truliant Amphitheater
05/16 Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
05/17 Columbus, OH – Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival
05/19 Franklin, TN – FirstBank Amphitheater
05/21 Alpharetta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
05/23 Huntsville, AL – Orion Amphitheater
05/24 Orange Beach, AL – The Wharf
05/27 Irving, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
05/29 Austin, TX – Germania Insurance Amphitheater
05/30 The Woodlands, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
06/12 Riverside, MO – Morton Amphitheater
06/14 Maryland Heights, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheater
06/16 Grand Rapids, MI – Acrisure Amphitheater
06/18 Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center
06/20 TInley Park, IL – Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre
06/21 Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre
06/23 Burgettstown, PA – The Pavilion at Star Lake
06/24 Toronto, ON – RBC Amphitheatre
06/27 Wantagh, NY – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
06/28 Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
06/30 Syracuse, NY – Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview
07/02 Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center
07/03 Bangor, ME – Maine Savings Amphitheater
09/06 El Paso, TX – Speaking Rock Entertainment Center (no Stone Temple Pilots)
09/07 Albuquerque, NM – Isleta Amphitheater
09/09 Denver, CO – The Junkyard
09/11 Las Vegas, NV – Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino (no Stone Temple Pilots)
09/12 Phoenix, AZ – KUPD UFest
09/15 Chula Visa, CA – North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
09/17 Anaheim, CA – Honda Center
09/19 Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre
09/20 Corning, CA – Rolling Hills Casino (no Stone Temple Pilots)
09/22 Bend, OR – Hayden Homes Amphitheater
09/24 Auburn, WA – White River Amphitheatre
09/26 Nampa, ID – KQXR XFest
Godsmack:
07/23 Athina, GRE – Lycabettus Hill
07/25 Plovdiv, BUL – Hills Of Rock
07/26 Beograd, SRB – Novi Hangar Luka Beograd
07/28 Ghimbav, ROM – Rockstadt Extreme Fest
08/01 Pohja-Talliin, EST – Tallinn Rock Festival
08/06 Villena, SPA – Leyendas del Rock
08/08 Relvinha, POR – Vagos Metal Fest
08/09 Madrid, SPA – Sala Riviera
08/11 Barcelona, SPA – Razzmatazz 1
08/13-15 Sulingen, GER – Reload Festival
08/13 Carhaix-Plouguer, FRA – Motocultor Festival
08/16 Eindhoven, NET – Dynamo Metal Fest
