Regardless of the band experiencing a ‘resurgence’ in curiosity in line with their frontman Sully Erna, Godsmack are planning to take a yr off. The multi-platinum onerous rock group transitioned to a legacy band again in 2022, opting to cap off their catalog and solely deal with performing reside going ahead.
The group additionally not too long ago noticed their roster reduce in half, with vocalist/guitarist Sully Erna and bassist/vocalist Robbie Merrill remaining in place following the latest exit of drummer Shannon Larkin and guitarist/vocalist Tony Rombola.
Talking this spring with Hammer World, Erna laid out some upcoming downtime for the band, as effectively his personal potential solo plans.
“After this European tour, we’re taking a full yr off. I’ll most likely begin one thing new throughout that point — I simply don’t know what but. I normally work on Godsmack for a sure period of time, after which after we take a break, I shift to solo stuff. I feel I’d try this once more.
This yr is a little bit of a thriller, however I’ve began getting some presents to deal with TV and movie. I’m getting increasingly more concerned in it, so I feel I’m going to pursue that somewhat bit and see the place it goes. I’d find yourself writing music for motion pictures and even performing once more.
I’ve finished that earlier than and I actually loved it, so I’d love to do extra. I’m undoubtedly exploring different issues in addition to Godsmack to maintain me occupied whereas we determine what’s subsequent for the band. Proper now, I truthfully don’t know.”
Erna went on so as to add:
“What I do know is there’s been a resurgence of Godsmack. Once we come out now, we’re enjoying to larger and greater audiences. We did Sofia, Bulgaria — offered out in two days, over 13,000 individuals. Romania was large and so was Poland. There’s this new curiosity within the band once more, and we’re seeing a youthful technology rising up listening to us. Quite a lot of younger youngsters are coming to our reveals now, together with their mother and father. It’s wild.
We’ve survived a lot through the years, gone by powerful occasions, and we’re nonetheless right here. We’re nonetheless related and writing good music. Individuals maintain coming to the reveals, the band hasn’t stopped rising, and I couldn’t be happier. It’s good to only get again to enjoying once more with none obligations.
We’re not selling a brand new document or something proper now. We’re simply selling the model, the legacy. We’re doing these best hits reveals and enjoying music just because we adore it. We’re again in management once more — not the document labels, not the administration firm. Godsmack is again in management, and that, to me, is the best reward.”
Given the above attendance numbers talked about by Erna, it could actually appear he isn’t mendacity concerning the band choosing up new followers. Again in 2023, Larkin lamented the shortage of presence the group had in Europe, stating “…We’ve by no means made cash in Europe ever. Interval. And we’ve been there 15 occasions or no matter.” Whereas the band have seemingly made inroads in that territory since, it’s clear that some markets nonetheless require loads of work, because the group have been pressured to cancel a South American tour in 2023 because of low ticket gross sales.