Former Dream Theater drummer Mike Mangini shared his first message after joining Godsmack as Wade Murff’s replacement. Mangini recently played his first show with the band. He took to social media to express his excitement about the new chapter, touching on everything from his off-stage activities to the energy of the crowd.
“I’m having the time of my life,” Mangini said. “Got golf in today and tonight is a massive dinner thing.”
The drummer also looked ahead to an upcoming performance, expressing anticipation for the crowd’s energy.
“I can’t wait to hit Jones Beach next — that place is gonna be insane,” he continued. “Long Islanders are raucous. STP and Dorothy are amazing to have — it’s just great songs all night.”
Mangini’s debut with Godsmack came under remarkable circumstances. He made his live debut on June 12 at the Morton Amphitheater in Riverside, Missouri, joining vocalist Sully Erna and the rest of the band for the first time on stage. He stepped behind the kit with no prior rehearsal, jumping straight into the show without any preparation time — a detail that quickly caught the attention of fans and fellow musicians alike.
Godsmack brought Mangini on board for the remainder of their “The Rise Of Rock” tour following the abrupt departure of Wade Murff. The move gave the band a seasoned replacement capable of handling the demands of a live touring schedule on short notice.
Mangini is no stranger to high-pressure situations. He served as Dream Theater’s drummer from 2010 to 2023, having taken over from co-founding drummer Mike Portnoy. During his tenure with the progressive metal giants, the band earned a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance in 2022. This cemented his reputation as one of rock’s most technically accomplished drummers.
With Jones Beach on the horizon and the tour still in full swing, Mangini appears fully settled into his new role — and by all accounts, he’s embracing every moment of it.
