Godsmack frontman Sully Erna recently addressed the band’s future following the departure of longtime members Shannon Larkin and Tony Rombola.
Erna discussed the band’s newly released live album, “Live At Mohegan Sun,” which served as a tribute to Godsmack’s classic lineup of himself, Larkin, Rombola and Robbie Merrill. He then explained why he and Merrill decided to keep the band going with new members Mike Mangini and Sam Bam Koltun.
“It [‘Live At Mohegan Sun’] was the perfect way to retire [Larkin and Rombola] as they wanted to and kind of close that chapter,” Erna said. “But me and Robbie had a conversation. We were, like, ‘We’re not ready to give it up yet. We still feel young. We still feel good. We wanna play music. We love it.'”
Erna went on to praise the band’s new additions and how they’ve strengthened the group’s current lineup.
“We got two monsters in the band now — Mike Mangini and Sam Bam Koltun,” he continued. “And I gotta tell you, the band’s just as strong now, if not stronger than ever. So I’m happy.”
Erna also addressed former Dream Theater drummer Mike Mangini’s role in replacing Larkin behind the kit. He credited Larkin’s skill for requiring such a high-caliber replacement.
“Well, that [Mangini was recruited to replace Larkin] goes to show you how good Shannon was, and is, because you need someone at Mangini’s level to be able to cover what Shannon does,” he said. “There it is.”
Larkin himself previously weighed in on Mangini joining Godsmack, noting that technical skill doesn’t prevent someone from playing in a more straightforward rock style.
“The talent level of Mike Mangini being supremely high in the drum world does not mean that Mike Mangini can’t come in and slam a drum like me or John Bonham or whoever plays a simpler style of music,” Larkin said. “I know that Mike would not overplay and wouldn’t feel bored playing in a big rock band like Godsmack if it’s not… I just hate the word ‘overqualified’ in drumming.”
The significance of “Live At Mohegan Sun” as a farewell statement becomes clearer when looking at the circumstances surrounding its recording and release.
The album was captured live at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, on October 26, 2024. It documented what turned out to be the classic lineup’s final performance together. Godsmack officially released the project on May 1, 2026. The band offered it across multiple formats, including CD, Blu-ray and double vinyl LP, giving fans a comprehensive way to relive that pivotal night.
The 15-track record runs approximately one hour and 23 minutes. It preserves the energy of the band’s farewell show with Larkin and Rombola in full. That scope underscores just how deliberately Godsmack treated the release, framing it as a proper send-off rather than a simple archival concert recording.
The album’s momentum has continued to build since its release, with the live version of “When Legends Rise” serving as the project’s first single. The track made history by debuting on the Active Rock Radio charts. It marked the first time a live recording has achieved that feat since 2020.
That chart success speaks to how strongly fans have responded to the tribute. It reinforces Erna’s own sentiment that the classic lineup’s chapter was closed the right way, even as the band pushes forward with fresh energy behind Mangini and Koltun.
Godsmack continues to move forward with its new lineup following the release of “Live At Mohegan Sun.”
