<\/p>\n
The good news for Godsmack fans is the heavy rock troupe from Massachusetts isn\u2019t going anywhere anytime soon.<\/p>\n
In 2023, frontman Sully Erna described \u201cLighting Up the Sky,\u201d Godsmack\u2019s ninth studio album, as the band\u2019s last. The quartet would still tour, he said, but something of an ending was implied. But things have changed since then.<\/p>\n
Guitarist Tony Rombola and drummer Shannon Larkin retired \u2014 \u201con good terms,\u201d according to Erna \u2014 at the end of the tour for that album. Their final performance, in October 2024, is featured on the new \u201cLive at the Mohegan Sun\u201d album. Erna acknowledges that he and bassist Robbie Merrill \u201ccontemplated kind of retiring the band \u2026 but we were just like: \u2018We don\u2019t really want to stop yet. We feel like we have some gas in the tank. We love what we do.’\u201d<\/p>\n
Enter Dorothy guitarist Sam Koltun and, more recently, former Dream Theater drummer Mike Mangini. Godsmack toured Europe in 2025 and is now on the road in North America with a new single, \u201cSet Me Free,\u201d recorded with the band Dorothy. \u201cThese guys are strong, great players that really do an amazing job at honoring the music,\u201d Erna, 58, says. And, he adds, there may be more music in the future. \u201cDefinitely there\u2019s gonna be a new record,\u201d he promises. \u201cI just don\u2019t know when it\u2019s coming.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMe and Robbie started this thing together a long time ago,\u201d Erna adds. \u201cIt was just me and him to begin with, now it\u2019s back to me and him. So we\u2019re like, \u2018Let\u2019s run this thing and see how it feels and how people respond.\u2019 Who knows? We might get surprised and have Godsmack 2.0 for the next 10 years running, which we`d love.\u201d<\/p>\n Godsmack, Stone Temple Pilots and Dorothy perform at 7 p.m. Sunday, June 21, at Pine Knob Music Theatre, 33 Bob Seger Drive, Independence Township. 313-471-7000 or 313Presents.com.<\/p>\n Other music events of note this weekend (all subject to change) include \u2026<\/p>\n \u2022 Sammy Hagar brings his The Best of All Worlds 2026 tour to Pine Knob Music Theatre, joined by Rick Springfield and Dauzat St. Marie at 6:30 p.m. 33 Bob Seger Drive, Independence Township. 313-471-7000 or 313Presents.com.<\/p>\nFRIDAY, JUNE 19<\/h4>\n
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