Sully Erna says the band will begin writing their next record after finishing their current touring commitments.
Godsmack are preparing to enter another chapter, with frontman Sully Erna confirming the band intends to start work on a new album, and fans could hear the first results by summer next year (our winter).
Speaking with Rock 100.5 The KATT FM at Rocklahoma in Oklahoma, Erna revealed that Godsmack will turn their attention to writing once their busy 2026 touring schedule wraps up (per Blabbermouth).
“Oh, yeah, yeah. It’s gonna happen for sure. We’re gonna finish this year out. We have a pretty busy schedule all the way up to New Year’s Eve, and then I’m gonna take a minute off, and then we’re gonna start writing a new record. And I’m sure you’ll hear some new GODSMACK by the summer of ’27.”
The news is particularly significant given that 2023 album Lighting Up The Sky had previously been positioned as Godsmack’s final studio album.
A different outfit
Any new material will also arrive during a dramatically different era for the veteran rock outfit.
Longtime drummer Shannon Larkin and guitarist Tony Rombola departed after deciding they no longer wanted to tour, leaving Erna and bassist Robbie Merrill to continue with guitarist Sam Koltun and former Dream Theater drummer Mike Mangini.
Erna says the refreshed lineup has given Godsmack renewed energy.
“We got two monsters in the band now — Mike Mangini and Sam Bam Koltun. And I gotta tell you, the band’s just as strong now, if not stronger than ever. So I’m happy.”
Mangini made his live debut with Godsmack in June and appears likely to remain behind the kit for the foreseeable future.
“I can never predict the future, but I can’t see him going anywhere. We love him. He’s an old friend of mine. He’s doing great. He’s a high-level player. I have no reason why I need to replace the guy.”
Before recording begins, Godsmack still have plenty of road ahead. Their The Rise Of Rock world tour continues throughout this year, including newly announced US shows in October.
For a band that once appeared ready to close the book on studio albums, next year is now shaping up very differently.
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