Sully Erna Walks Back ‘Final Album’ Talk As Godsmack Eye New Music Post Lineup Changes

For a band that once framed ‘Lighting Up the Sky’ as a full stop, Godsmack might be writing another chapter after all.

Frontman Sully Erna has now suggested a new studio album is not only possible, but likely, despite major lineup changes in 2024.

Speaking on Kylie Olsson’s Life in Six Strings podcast, Erna addressed speculation head on after being asked whether Godsmack would ever release another record.

“I think there will. I said there wasn’t going to be, and at least I know there won’t be with the original members.”

That caveat matters, longtime guitarist Tony Rombola and drummer Shannon Larkin officially retired from the band in 2024, a move that initially reinforced the idea that Lighting Up the Sky would be Godsmack’s final statement.

Erna, however, made it clear the split was amicable.

“They’ve officially retired very honorably… We’re still really good friends. There’s no drama there.”

What’s next?

According to Erna, the band is currently experimenting with new personnel and mapping out what comes next.

“I’m putting some new people in place. I’m still in some trial periods, but we have some plans coming in 2026 that we’re excited about.”

He also pushed back against the idea that Godsmack are winding down creatively, suggesting the opposite.

“The band’s coming into the height of our career… we’re doing our best attendance… it’s kinda come full circle.”

This isn’t the first time Erna has softened his stance, in February 2024, he told Loudwire Nights that “you can never say never” when it comes to new music, explaining that the band wanted to prioritise their catalogue and fans after decades of nonstop output.

Earlier statements from late 2022 framed Lighting Up the Sky as a deeply personal closing chapter, with Erna saying the record felt “complete in a good way.” That certainty has clearly evolved.

Godsmack are currently on a planned full year break following their April 2025 European run, with a return to the road scheduled for May 2026. Whether new music arrives before then remains to be seen, but for the first time in years, Erna is openly leaving the door wide open.