Godsmack

Over the last 25 plus years, Boston-based rockers Godsmack have consistently broken records, crushed expectations, and left everything on tape and on the stage. Like any proud Bostonians, the quartet—Sully Erna [vocals, guitar], Tony Rombola [guitar], Robbie Merrill [bass], and Shannon Larkin [drums]—maintain a breakneck pace. Among numerous accolades, the boys notched ten number one singles on the Active Rock charts and achieved a total of 24 Top 10 hits (the most of any act since February 1999). They have sold over 20 million records worldwide, receiving four GRAMMY® Award nominations, and winning “Rock Artist of the Year” at the Billboard Music Awards. 

In February 1995, Erna reached out to Robbie Merrill. Shortly after, he found Tony Rombola “ripping Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots, and Alice In Chains covers at a bar in New Hampshire”, he grins. The four-piece threw down at countless early gigs in clubs, bars, and dives. By 1997, they scrounged up enough cash to record the storied "All Wound Up" demo. Iconic radio station WAAF spun “Keep Away” and fueled sales at local record store chain Newbury Comics. By the time the group added “Whatever” to the demo as a single on a second disc, the song took over the airwaves. 

Multiple labels took notice, but the guys settled on Republic Records. The label reintroduced "All Wound Up" as the self-titled Godsmack in 1998. The record eventually went 5X platinum on the strength of singles such as “Whatever” ,“Keep Away”, “Bad Religion” and “Voodoo”.  They played Woodstock 99, toured alongside Ozzy Osbourne, Pantera, and Black Sabbath at OZZfest and graduated from clubs to theaters on their own. Recording out of a warehouse in Haverhill, MA, they delivered "Awake" in 2000. The title track “Awake” soundtracked a ubiquitous campaign for the U.S. Navy. As the album reached double-platinum status, they mounted their first headline arena tour with sellouts coast-to-coast and larger-than-life production that would become a signature.

During 2002, they contributed “I Stand Alone” to the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack for The Scorpion King starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who openly praised the tune. It went on to land two GRAMMY® Award nominations. 2003 represented a serious turning point. Godsmack welcomed Shannon Larkin behind the kit, adding another dynamic and dimension to the sound. The ensuing album Faceless marked the group’s first #1 entry on the Billboard Top 200 as they supported Metallica on tour in 2004 and went platinum again.

The gold-selling "IV" also debuted at #1 in 2006. Running at full speed into another decade, 2010’s "The Oracle" rounded out a trifecta of number one albums and achieved a gold certification. Four years later, "1000hp" revved up to #3 on the Billboard Top 200 as the city of Boston christened August 6 “Godsmack Day”. During 2018, Godsmack jump started another era. Signing to BMG, they unleashed their seventh album, "When Legends Rise." It rose to #8 on the Billboard Top 200 and captured #1 on the Top Rock Albums Chart, Top Hard Music Albums Chart, Top Independent Albums Chart, and Top Alternative Albums Chart. “Under Your Scars”, “When Legends Rise”, “Unforgettable” and “Bulletproof” reached #1 at rock radio. 

Now, in 2022, Godsmack is back with the new single "Surrender", which is from the band's forthcoming eighth studio album, which doesn't have a title or official release date yet. It's the band's first new music since their 2018 album "When Legends Rise."

« back to Rock Artist Info