Evanescence drummer Will Hunt has confirmed he will not be playing drums for Godsmack during their upcoming 2026 world tour, despite having performed with the band during their 2025 European tour. Hunt addressed the scheduling conflicts and his experience with the band in a recent interview with Mark Strigl.
Hunt explained the circumstances surrounding his initial involvement with Godsmack and why he cannot continue with the band moving forward.
“When I did that [European tour], it was a thing of that he didn’t know what was gonna transpire after that, after that European tour,” Hunt said. “[It was] something they already had booked. And much in the same way as I landed in Evanescence, they had those dates on the books and they needed to finish it out.”
Hunt emphasized his commitment to Evanescence while expressing his respect for Godsmack frontman Sully Erna.
“Sully [Erna], he’s a lifer, man. He’s been doing this his whole life, just like me,” Hunt continued. “I think that that doesn’t stop. I think that we all wanna keep going. And so when I initially got brought in, it was just, like, ‘Okay, I’m just gonna finish this out. I don’t know what I’m gonna do.’ And I said, ‘Well, that’s okay, because I’m still in Evanescence, and I’ve got no plans to leave.’ And so that’s what shook out for that.”
Hunt revealed that scheduling conflicts between the two bands make it impossible for him to continue with Godsmack.
“I would love to keep doing that [Godsmack tour]. I had so much fun doing it. It was such an honor to do it,” he said. “But you can look and see that the Evanescence schedules and the Godsmack schedules completely overlap.”
Hunt concluded with humor while acknowledging the challenging nature of the opportunity.
“I joke a lot, man, if there were two of me, man, I’d be a fricking gazillionaire — I could work all the time,” Hunt said. “But, unfortunately, scheduling-wise, it won’t work out for me. Which is a bummer, man, because I really, really love playing with those guys and playing those amazing songs. And I learned a lot from Sully, who is also a great drummer. [It was a] very challenging gig, but so much fun.”
Hunt’s departure comes as Godsmack prepares for one of their most ambitious touring campaigns in recent years. This follows significant lineup changes that have reshaped the band’s dynamic.
Parade reported that Godsmack has announced a massive 2026 North American tour called “Rise of Rock,” featuring special guests Stone Temple Pilots and Dorothy. The tour will kick off May 7 at Welcome to Rockville in Daytona Beach, Florida. It will continue through September 26th across amphitheaters throughout North America.
The upcoming tour represents a new chapter for Godsmack following major personnel changes in 2025. AOL noted that the band went through a significant lineup change after beloved guitarist Tony Rombola and longtime drummer Shannon Larkin retired from the band in favor of a quieter lifestyle off the road. These departures marked the end of an era for the multi-platinum rock giants.
Hunt’s temporary involvement with Godsmack during their 2025 European tour served as a bridge during this transitional period. His experience with the band highlighted both the challenges and rewards of stepping into an established lineup, particularly one undergoing such significant changes after decades of stability.
Hunt’s scheduling conflicts reflect the demanding nature of modern rock touring. Established bands like Evanescence and Godsmack often plan extensive campaigns that can span multiple years. Metal Injection indicated that Godsmack’s upcoming tour will storm amphitheaters across North America, showing the scale and intensity of their planned 2026 campaign.
Godsmack is expected to announce their new drummer for the 2026 world tour in the coming weeks. They prepare to launch what promises to be one of their most significant touring efforts in recent memory.
