Godsmack

In February 1995, Sully Erna decided to start a new band as the lead singer after playing the drums for more than 23 years, including more than two years in the now-defunct band Strip Mind.{{cite web |url= http://www.godsmack.com/bio/bio.asp |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070930171134/http://www.godsmack.com/bio/bio.asp |archive-date= September 30, 2007 |title=Godsmack – Bio |access-date=October 10, 2007 |publisher=Godsmack.com}} His new band, The Scam, formed with Erna on vocals, Robbie Merrill on bass, local guitarist and friend Lee Richards on guitar, and Tommy Stewart on drums. The Scam quickly changed its name to Godsmack, after recording one demo.{{cite magazine|first=Austin|last=Scaggs|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/godsmack/articles/story/5936304/sully_awakes|title=Sully Awakes|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=May 6, 2003|access-date=December 2, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071210033805/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/godsmack/articles/story/5936304/sully_awakes|archive-date=December 10, 2007|url-status=dead}} The newly formed band started playing small bars in their hometown of Boston. Locally popular songs such as "Keep Away" and "Whatever" soon brought them to the top of the hit charts in the Boston/New England area.

Many people think the band's name stemmed from the Alice in Chains song of the same name, but according to Erna, the band's name came from a small and personal incident. "I was making fun of [our drummer at the time] who had a cold sore on his lip and the next day I had one myself and somebody said, 'It's a god smack.' The name stuck. We were aware of the Alice In Chains song but didn't really think much about it."{{cite web|url=http://www.nyrock.com/interviews/1999/godsmack_int.asp|title=Sully Erna of Godsmack on Karma, Christians and the Law of Three (NY Rock)|publisher=Nyrock.com|date=October 1, 1999|access-date=October 10, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011092214/http://nyrock.com/interviews/1999/godsmack_int.asp|archive-date=October 11, 2007|url-status=dead}} In 1996, Tony Rombola joined as the guitarist after Richards left upon learning he had a six-year-old child and Stewart left due to personal differences.{{cite web|first=Morley|last=Seaver|url=http://www.rocknworld.com/morley/06/Godsmack.shtml|title=MorleyView Interview with Shannon Larkin of Godsmack|publisher=MorleyView|access-date=December 6, 2007}} In the same year, the band entered New Alliance Studio in Boston to record its debut album, All Wound Up....{{cite web|first=Robert|last=Taylor|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/all-wound-up-mw0001888339|title=All Wound Up Godsmack|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=May 28, 2022}} The CD was recorded in just three days for $2,600 and was self-released in February 1997 through the band's own record label, E. K. Records Company.{{Cite web |last=Redmon |first=Jess |date=February 1999 |title=Godsmack Interview |url=http://www.altrockworld.com/interviews/godsmack.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991001192234/http://www.altrockworld.com/interviews/godsmack.html |archive-date=October 1, 1999 |access-date=August 20, 2022 |website=Alt Rock World}}{{Cite web |last=Carriere |first=Nicola |date=December 16, 1999 |title=Godsmack Interview |url=http://www.brokensilence.de/interviews/igodsmack1299.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010426123329/http://www.brokensilence.de/interviews/igodsmack1299.htm |archive-date=April 26, 2001 |access-date=August 20, 2022 |website=Broken Silence}} In May 1997, Joe D'Arco joined to replace Stewart on drums.{{Cite web |date=April 1999 |title=Godsmack is |url=http://xauw.com/godsmack.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990420055448/http://members.xoom.com/xauw/godsmack/ |archive-date=April 20, 1999 |access-date=August 20, 2022 |website=The Best I Ever Did}}

Eventually, Godsmack's CD landed in the hands of Rocko, the night-time DJ for Boston radio station WAAF (FM). The radio station put "Keep Away" into heavy rotation and the song rose to the number one spot at the station very quickly. Newbury Comics, a New England record store chain, agreed to sell the CD on consignment. Shortly after the success of "Keep Away", Godsmack went back into the studio and recorded a single titled "Whatever", which became the new local favorite on WAAF (FM). In an interview Sully Erna stated, "We had been selling maybe 50 copies a month at the time WAAF picked up the album. All of a sudden we started moving over a thousand records a week. (...) I was doing all this from my bedroom. After years of grinding away, things finally started taking off."{{cite web|url=http://www.barrystickets.com/concert-tickets/godsmack-tickets.php|title=Godsmack biography – Barrystickets|publisher=barrystickets.com|access-date=January 2, 2008}} In April 1998, D'Arco was dismissed from the band.{{Cite web |date=April 27, 1998 |title=Godsmack News |url=http://xauw.com/godsmack/news.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991114134849/http://members.xoom.com:80/xauw/godsmack/news.html |archive-date=November 14, 1999 |access-date=August 20, 2022 |website=The Best I Ever Did}} He was replaced by former drummer Tommy Stewart, who returned after expressing a desire to be in the band again.{{cite news |date=August 13, 2002 |title=Godsmack's Sully Erna Speaks out on drummer switch |work=Blabbermouth.net |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?Mode=Archive&Date=8/13/2002 |url-status=dead |access-date=December 6, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071221093400/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?Mode=Archive&Date=8%2F13%2F2002 |archive-date=December 21, 2007}}

File:Godsmack logo.png used from Awake to 1000hp.]]

In June 1998, Universal/Republic Records signed the band to their label. The band's first album All Wound Up... was slightly edited to remove unlicensed samples, fully re-mastered and given a new artwork and layout; the finished self-titled album Godsmack was released to the public six weeks later on August 25, 1998.{{Cite web |date=April 26, 2001 |title=Interview - Godsmack |url=http://www.brokensilence.de/interviews/igodsmack1299.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010426123329/http://www.brokensilence.de/interviews/igodsmack1299.htm |archive-date=April 26, 2001 |access-date=June 27, 2022 }} This led to the band's first headlining tour, "The Godsmack Tour" with Jim Rose Circus as the opening act. After the album's release the band went on the road playing club shows as well as playing at Ozzfest and Woodstock '99. This was followed by a tour in Europe supporting Black Sabbath. Roxanne Blanford from Allmusic gave the album three out of five stars, stating, "Godsmack confidently brought metal into the technological age".{{cite web |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r373845|pure_url=yes}}|title=Godsmack – self-titled review |access-date=November 9, 2007 |last=Blanford |first=Roxanne |website=Allmusic }} The album entered the Billboard 200 at number twenty-two,{{cite magazine|title=Godsmack – Artist chart history|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=godsmack|chart=all}}|access-date=November 6, 2007|magazine=Billboard.com}} and was certified 5× platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America in 2024{{cite web|title=Godsmack – News |url=http://www.godsmack.com/news/news.asp?item=111184 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071111060224/http://www.godsmack.com/news/news.asp?item=111184 |archive-date=November 11, 2007 |access-date=November 6, 2007 |publisher=Godsmack.com}} after being initially certified gold in 1999.{{cite web|last=Ankeny|first=Jason|title=Godsmack – Biography|url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p308309|pure_url=yes}}|work=Allmusic|year=2006|access-date=May 7, 2008}}

The album sold well despite being initially pulled from the shelves in some stores due to concerns over some of its lyrical content.{{cite web |title=Godsmack Album Pulled From Wal-Mart, Kmart |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1429571/godsmack-album-pulled-from-wal-mart-kmart/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416164642/http://www.mtv.com/news/1429571/godsmack-album-pulled-from-wal-mart-kmart/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 16, 2019 |website=MTV News |access-date=May 27, 2022 |language=en |date=June 2, 1999}} The band and its record label later added a Parental Advisory sticker to the album, and some stores ordered amended copies of the album. Erna commented in Rolling Stone magazine stating, "Our record has been in the marketplace for more than a year now without a parental advisory sticker and this is the one and only complaint ... Stickers and lyrics are by nature subjective ... We have decided to put a sticker on the record." This controversy did not appear to adversely affect album sales but, according to Erna, helped; "It's almost taunting kids to go out and get the record to see what we're saying on it."{{cite web |last1=Childers |first1=Chad |title=23 Years Ago: Godsmack Unleash Their Self-Titled Debut Album |url=https://loudwire.com/godsmack-self-titled-album-anniversary/ |website=Loudwire |access-date=May 27, 2022 |language=en |date=August 25, 2021}} The album also had four successful singles which were "Whatever", "Keep Away", "Voodoo" and "Bad Religion".

{{listen

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In 2000, Godsmack returned to the studio after the multi-platinum success of Godsmack to start recording Awake. The album was released on {{Nowrap|October 31}}, 2000. The album debuted at number five on the Billboard 200, and has been certified 2× platinum by the RIAA. "Vampires", a song on the album, also earned the band a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Instrumental Performance in 2002.{{cite web |url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/2002/grammys.htm|title=Rock On The Net: 44th Annual Grammy Awards – 2002 |publisher=Rock on the Net |access-date=October 10, 2007}} With the release of Awake, Godsmack toured Europe supporting Limp Bizkit.{{cite web |url=http://godsmack.com/tour/tour.asp?catID=12414|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070816090445/http://godsmack.com/tour/tour.asp?catID=12414 |archive-date=August 16, 2007 |title=Godsmack – Tour 2001|publisher=Godsmack.com |access-date=November 10, 2007}} Erna said at the time, "We've been touring nonstop since August 1998, So most of Awake was written on tour while we were ping-ponging between America and Europe, building up the band. "Ozzfest" was actually the only big tour where we rode under someone else's wings; we did a lot of work on our own." The band played Ozzfest in 2000 again as they had in 1999. On July 19, 2001, Godsmack released their first live DVD titled Live.{{cite web |title=Godsmack - Live |date=July 19, 2001 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/1029530-Godsmack-Live |publisher=Discogs |access-date=May 27, 2022 |language=en}} The DVD has since been certified Gold by the RIAA for selling 50,000 copies in the United States.{{cite certification|region=United States|type=video|artist=Godsmack}}

Two of the songs on the album were used in United States Navy commercials ("Sick of Life" and "Awake") as background music. Erna stated, "Someone in the military is a fan, and they asked if they could use the music, and we accepted".{{cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=51830 |title=Godsmack Frontman Gets Defensive Over Band's Alleged 'Pro-Military' Stance |access-date=November 10, 2007 |first=Jay |last=Babcock |date=May 4, 2006 |publisher=Arthur Magazine |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071219212633/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=51830 |archive-date=December 19, 2007 }} However, Erna insisted in an interview that Godsmack does not support any war.{{cite web |url=http://www.arthurmag.com/magpie/?p=1244 |title=Talking to Godsmack (Whose Album is No. 1 on the charts) about what they use their music for.|date=May 6, 2006 |publisher=ArthurMag.com}}

In 2002, Erna was asked to write and perform a song for the soundtrack to The Scorpion King.{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r580844|pure_url=yes}}|title=The Scorpion King [Soundtrack]|website=AllMusic}} The song Godsmack wrote and performed was titled "I Stand Alone" and the song became the number 1 single at Rock Radio and the most played Active Rock song in 2002 for 14 weeks straight. It was also used in the game Prince of Persia: Warrior Within.{{cite web |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=28931 |title=Godsmack Music To Be Featured In 'Prince of Persia: Warrior Within' Videogame |publisher=Blabbermouth.Net |access-date=January 5, 2009 |date=November 8, 2004 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090924105707/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=28931 |archive-date=September 24, 2009 }}

With Shannon Larkin (ex Ugly Kid Joe, Souls at Zero, Wrathchild America, MF Pitbulls) replacing Tommy Stewart, who left due to personal differences for the second time,{{cite web |url=http://www.moderndrummer.com/updatefull/200001380 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060328004423/http://www.moderndrummer.com/updatefull/200001380 |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 28, 2006 |title=Shannon Larkin |access-date=November 10, 2007 |last=Farinella |first=David John |publisher=Modern drummer.com }} Godsmack went back into the studio later that year to record a new album that was released in 2003. Faceless debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, selling 269,000 copies in its first week,{{cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=11391 |title=Godsmack: 'Faceless' Debut At No. 1 |access-date=December 10, 2008 |date=April 16, 2003 |publisher=Blabbermouth.Net |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081223015931/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=11391 |archive-date=December 23, 2008 }} and the album would go on to sell over one million copies in the United States.{{cite web |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=11391 |title=Godsmack: 'Faceless' Debut At #1 |access-date=December 10, 2008 |date=April 16, 2003 |work=Blabbermouth.Net |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081223015931/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=11391 |archive-date=December 23, 2008 }} Faceless also debuted at number nine on the Top Canadian Albums and at number one on the Top Internet Albums and remained at that position for two weeks.{{cite magazine|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=godsmack|chart=all}}|title=Faceless - Godsmack|magazine=Billboard}} A massive Tour of America and Europe supporting Metallica followed.

The lead single "Straight Out of Line" received a Grammy Award nomination for "Best Hard Rock Performance". The award went to Evanescence's single "Bring Me to Life".{{cite web |url=http://www.grammy.com/GRAMMY_Awards/Winners/Results.aspx?title=&winner=godsmack&year=0&genreID=0&hp=1 |title=Grammy Award Winners |access-date=November 10, 2007 |publisher=Grammy.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071202144238/http://www.grammy.com/GRAMMY_Awards/Winners/Results.aspx?title%3D%26winner%3Dgodsmack%26year%3D0%26genreID%3D0%26hp%3D1 |archive-date=December 2, 2007 }} The album got its name after a swimming-pool incident.{{cite web

|url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/g/godsmack/news_feature_030418/index2.jhtml

|title=Godsmack: Unpolished, Uncompromised

|access-date=November 10, 2007 |last=Wiederhorn

|first=Jon

|date=April 18, 2003 |publisher=MTV

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|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071219114922/http://www.mtv.com/bands/g/godsmack/news_feature_030418/index2.jhtml

|archive-date=December 19, 2007 }} However, in a later interview Merrill stated otherwise, making it unclear of how the album's title came to be, "It came from the band's feeling that, despite our radio and sales success, we still flew a bit under the radar".{{cite web|url=http://unzipped.umrg.com/brands/default.aspx?bid=7&pg=77 |title="First great band of the millennium" – Hit the road with vengeance |access-date=November 10, 2007 |date=April 3, 2003 |website=Metal Edge Magazine}}{{dead link|date=May 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

On March 16, 2004 The Other Side, an acoustic EP, was released. The album debuted at number five on the Billboard 200, a relatively high position for an acoustic EP. It included several previously released songs re-recorded as acoustic versions, as well as three new acoustic tracks. One new song, "Touché", featured Godsmack's first guitar player, Lee Richards, as well as John Kosco, who were at that time in the now defunct band Dropbox,{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1488133/20040603/dropbox.jhtml |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120529145814/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1488133/20040603/dropbox.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 29, 2012 |title=Ex-Godsmack Guitarist Finds Second Act – News Story |access-date=October 10, 2007 |last=Wiederhorn |first=Jon |date=June 3, 2004 |publisher=MTV News }} The other two new acoustic tracks were "Running Blind" and "Voices".{{cite web|title=Discography – The Other Side |url=http://www.godsmack.com/albums/album_detail.asp?album_id=533|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071024113130/http://www.godsmack.com/albums/album_detail.asp?album_id=533|archive-date=October 24, 2007| access-date=November 10, 2007 |publisher=Godsmack – Discography}} The song "Asleep" is actually an acoustic version of "Awake" from the band's second album Awake.{{cite web| title=Godsmack Travel To The Other Side For New EP |publisher=MTV |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1479636/20031008/godsmack.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040224063159/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1479636/20031008/godsmack.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 24, 2004| access-date=January 2, 2008 |last=Wiederhorn |first=Jon |date=October 8, 2003}} Godsmack shifted from its "heavy" sound to a more mellow acoustic sound on this EP in the same manner Alice in Chains did in the Sap and Jar of Flies EPs, one of many similarities to Alice in Chains for which the band has been criticized.{{cite web |url=http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/upcoming_releases/godsmacks_acoustic_album.html |title=Ultimate Guitar – Godsmack's acoustic album |access-date=November 8, 2007 |date=October 13, 2003 |publisher=MTV.com }}

In 2004, Godsmack opened for Metallica's "Madly in Anger with the World tour",{{cite web |url=http://www.metallica.com/timeline.asp?page=tour&n_categoryid=3644&year=2004 |title=Metallica.com |access-date=October 10, 2007 |publisher=Metallica.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011174317/http://metallica.com/timeline.asp?page=tour&n_categoryid=3644&year=2004 |archive-date=October 11, 2007 }} and headlined the tour along with Dropbox. Afterwards, in autumn 2004, the band played several acoustic shows to promote The Other Side, while at the same time continuing to open for Metallica.{{cite web |url=http://www.godsmack.com/tour/tour.asp?catID=12411 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070825065126/http://www.godsmack.com/tour/tour.asp?catID=12411 |archive-date=August 25, 2007 |title=Godsmack.com – Metallica tour|access-date=November 8, 2007 |publisher=Godsmack – Tour }}

File:Sully Erna, Lead Singer of Heavy Metal Band Godsmack.jpg

Throughout 2006, The band was in the studio recording and writing material for a new album. On April 25, 2006, Godsmack released its fourth studio album simply titled IV, followed by a tour that would continue until January 2008, titled "The IV tour".{{cite web|title=Godsmack tour '07 |url=http://www.godsmack.com/tour/tour.asp?catID=29109|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011030539/http://www.godsmack.com/tour/tour.asp?catID=29109|archive-date=October 11, 2007|access-date=November 8, 2007|publisher=Godsmack.com}} The album was produced by Erna and engineered by the well known producer and engineer Andy Johns, known for engineering Led Zeppelin's Led Zeppelin IV.{{cite web |url=http://entertainment-news-network-archive.blogspot.com/2006/06/interview-shannon-larkin-of-godsmack.html |title=Interview: Shannon Larkin of Godsmack |access-date=November 10, 2007 |last=Fuoco |first=Christina |date=June 23, 2006 |publisher=Entertainment News |archive-date=July 8, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708034737/http://entertainment-news-network-archive.blogspot.com/2006/06/interview-shannon-larkin-of-godsmack.html |url-status=dead }} The first single from the album, "Speak" was released on {{Nowrap|February 14}}, 2006. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, selling 211,000 copies in its first week.{{cite web|url=http://www.ugo.com/channels/music/features/bandsondemand/artist.aspx?artist=godsmack&cat=alternative&full=Godsmack |title=Ugo – Bands on demand – Godsmack |access-date=November 10, 2007 |publisher=Ugo |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011115951/http://ugo.com/channels/music/features/bandsondemand/artist.aspx?artist=godsmack&cat=alternative&full=Godsmack |archive-date=October 11, 2007 }}

IV has since been certified gold. The band had written over forty songs for the album, but the final track listing had eleven tracks, Larkin commented, "it's Sully's band and his vision.[...]When it comes time to pick the songs it's all Sully".{{cite web |url=http://heavymetal.about.com/od/interviews/a/godsmackintie.htm |title=A Conversation with Drummer Shannon Larkin |access-date=November 10, 2007 |last=Bowar |first=Chad |publisher=Heavy metal about |archive-date=September 13, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090913234424/http://heavymetal.about.com/od/interviews/a/godsmackintie.htm |url-status=dead }} The album's minimalist name "IV" derives not only from its being the band's fourth studio album, but also from a running piece of backstage humor, as related by Larkin and Erna in an interview.{{cite news |url=http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/2006/06/18/1639166.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121206043349/http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/2006/06/18/1639166.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=December 6, 2012 |title=The music and magic of Godsmack|access-date=November 10, 2007 |last=Jenny |first=Feniak |newspaper=Edmonton Sun }}{{cite web |url=http://www.live-metal.net/features_interviews_godsmack.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060627035048/http://www.live-metal.net/features_interviews_godsmack.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=June 27, 2006 |title='Livin in Sin' with Godsmack's Shannon Larkin |access-date=November 10, 2007 |date=May 6, 2006|publisher=Live-Metal.Net}}

To celebrate ten years as a band, Godsmack released a greatest hits album entitled Good Times, Bad Times... Ten Years of Godsmack on {{Nowrap|December 4}}, 2007. The album debuted at number thirty-five on the Billboard 200, selling 40,000 copies in the first week of release.{{cite news|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=86629 |title=Godsmack – 'Good Times Bad Times' First-Week Sales Revealed |work=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=December 14, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071215075400/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=86629 |archive-date=December 15, 2007 }} It includes a cover of the Led Zeppelin song "Good Times Bad Times", as well as a DVD of Godsmack's acoustic performance in Las Vegas at House of Blues. The album was originally intended to be a boxed set, but the band scrapped the plans so they could release a best of album. Godsmack will follow the release of the album with an acoustic tour.{{cite news|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=82111 |title=Blabbermouth.net – Godsmack Looking Back at 'Good Times, Bad Times' In November |access-date=October 10, 2007 |date=October 4, 2007 |work=Blabbermouth.net |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011093604/http://roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=82111 |archive-date=October 11, 2007 }} Despite rumors of the band going on hiatus as a result of releasing a greatest hits album, Erna was quoted as saying, "we're not going away, we are just gonna take a break and enjoy our 10th year anniversary and kind of recharge our batteries. And then Godsmack will be back, and we will come back bigger and badder than ever."

In November 2008, Larkin announced that the band would be reforming and recording a new album.{{cite web|url=http://www.godsmack.com/news/newsFull.aspx?PostID=25 |title=Godsmack Updates From Shannon |access-date=November 3, 2008 |publisher=Godsmack.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090301225751/http://www.godsmack.com/news/newsFull.aspx?PostID=25 |archive-date=March 1, 2009 }} The following summer, the band toured as support to Mötley Crüe's Crüe Fest 2 tour{{cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=116233|title=Mötley Crüe's 'Crüe Fest 2' Lineup Officially Announced|publisher=Blabbermouth.Net|date=March 16, 2009|access-date=May 29, 2022|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811055628/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=116233|archive-date=August 11, 2011}} and released a non-album single, "Whiskey Hangover". After the tour, Godsmack started production for their new album. The album, titled The Oracle was released on {{Nowrap|May 4}}, 2010.{{cite web|first=Thom|last=Jurek|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-oracle-mw0001971938|title=The Oracle Godsmack|publisher=Allmusic|access-date=May 29, 2022}}{{cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=130194|title=Godsmack Working With Producer Dave Fortman On Next Album|publisher=blabbermouth.net|date=November 11, 2009|access-date=February 19, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091115070156/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=130194|archive-date=November 15, 2009|url-status=dead}} Arriving to popular reception, The Oracle was Godsmack's third straight full-length studio album to debut at No. 1 with 117,000 sold in the first week of release.{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/958279/godsmack-grabs-third-no-1-album-eminem-wows-digitally|title=Godsmack Grabs Third No. 1 Album|work=Billboard.com|date=May 12, 2010|access-date=May 29, 2022}} Erna had this to say about the early sound album, "It's gonna be really heavy. I mean, it's very aggressive. I'm not really sure; it's very premature right now. Right now we just finished one track for the Crüe Fest this Summer. But as far as the whole record goes, I think it's going to be a lot more in your face. I don't think there's going to be any 'Voodoo's or 'Serenity's on this one. We decided to go balls out!".{{cite news|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/Blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=120646|title=Godsmack Working On 'Really Heavy' New Album|work=Blabbermouth.net|date=May 27, 2009|access-date=May 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606042104/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/Blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=120646 |archive-date=June 6, 2011|url-status=dead}}

Godsmack headlined the fourth annual Mayhem Festival alongside Disturbed.{{cite web|url=https://bravewords.com/news/rockstar-energy-drink-mayhem-festival-2011-megadeth-machine-head-in-flames-trivium-disturbed-godsmack-among-acts-confirmed|title=Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival 2011 - Megadeth, Machine Head, In Flames, Trivium, Disturbed, Godsmack Among Acts Confirmed|website=Brave Words|date=January 31, 2011|access-date=May 29, 2022}}{{cite web|first=Matt|last=Debenedictis|url=https://noisecreep.com/mayhem-festival-2011-lineup-disturbed-godsmack-megadeth/|title=Disturbed, Godsmack, Megadeth Headlining Rockstar Mayhem Festival 2011|website=Noise Creep|date=January 31, 2011|access-date=May 29, 2022}} The band entered the studio in January 2012 to mix a live album plus record several covers for an upcoming release.{{cite web|url=http://rockaccess.net/2011/12/15/godsmack-mixing-live-tracks-for-upcoming-release/|title=Godsmack Mixing Live Tracks For Upcoming Release|publisher=Rockaccess.net|date=December 15, 2011|access-date=May 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120515001330/http://rockaccess.net/2011/12/15/godsmack-mixing-live-tracks-for-upcoming-release/|archive-date=May 15, 2012|url-status=dead}} They then went on tour in the spring with Staind.{{cite web|first=Mary|last=Ouellette|url=https://loudwire.com/godsmack-staind-halestorm-2012-u-s-tour-confirmed/|title=Godsmack, Staind + Halestorm 2012 U.S. Tour Confirmed|website=Loudwire.com|date=January 17, 2012|access-date=May 29, 2022}} In February 2012, Godsmack finished an EP of cover songs.{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/godsmack-putting-finishing-touches-on-covers-ep/|title=Godsmack Putting Finishing Touches On Covers EP|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=February 13, 2012|access-date=May 29, 2022}}{{cite news|first=Tree|last=Riddle|url=https://loudwire.com/sully-erna-update-godsmack-covers-ep/|title=Sully Erna Offers Update on Godsmack Covers EP|website=Loudwire.com|date=February 14, 2012|access-date=May 29, 2022}} Godsmack released their new live album Live & Inspired on May 15, 2012. The set included a bonus EP of cover tracks.{{cite news|url=http://legacy.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=172295|title=Godsmack's Cover Of Joe Walsh's 'Rocky Mountain Way' Available For Streaming|work=Blabbermouth.net|date=April 8, 2012|access-date=May 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120408204853/http://legacy.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=172295|archive-date=April 8, 2012|url-status=dead}} In December of the same year, Sully said in an interview that Godsmack would take a break during 2013, stating "We're going to take some time away now because we just ran for the last two years."{{cite web|first=Mary|last=Ouellette|url=https://loudwire.com/sully-erna-on-godsmack-were-taking-2013-off/|title=Sully Erna on Godsmack: 'We're Taking 2013 Off'|website=Loudwire.com|date=December 6, 2012|access-date=May 27, 2022}} A month after, Erna announced a short solo tour through America.{{cite web|first=Chad|last=Childers|url=http://loudwire.com/godsmack-sully-erna-2013-solo-east-coast-tour/|title=Godsmack's Sully Erna Announces Dates for 2013 Solo East Coast Tour|website=Loudwire.com|date=January 15, 2013|access-date=May 29, 2022}}{{cite web|first=Chris|last=Epting|url=https://noisecreep.com/sully-erna-solo-godsmack/|title=Sully Erna on How His Solo Career Will Affect Godsmack (Interview)|website=Noise Creep|date=February 1, 2013|access-date=May 29, 2022}}

file:2015 RiP Godsmack by 2eight - DSC4659.jpg

In February 2014, Erna tweeted that the band had made progress in the songwriting process for its next studio album, tentatively scheduled for a late 2014 release. He also mentioned that the band finished 11 songs for the new record in two weeks.{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/godsmack-11-songs-written-for-next-studio-album/|title=Godsmack: 11 Songs Written For Next Studio Album|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=February 7, 2014|access-date=May 28, 2022}}{{cite web|first=Mary|last=Ouellette|url=http://loudwire.com/godsmack-big-updates-new-album/|title=Godsmack Offer Big Updates On New Album|website=Loudwire.com|date=February 7, 2014|access-date=May 28, 2022}} In April, the band announced that they had recorded 15 songs, ten of which would make the final cut.{{cite web|first=Spencer|last=Kaufman|url=https://loudwire.com/godsmack-complete-work-new-album/|title=Godsmack Complete Work On New Album|website=Loudwire.com|date=April 22, 2014|access-date=May 28, 2022}} In May, Erna announced that the album would be titled 1000hp (1000 Horsepower).{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/godsmacks-sully-erna-says-forthcoming-1000-horsepower-album-is-a-bit-more-raw|title=Godsmack's Sully Erna Says Forthcoming '1000hp' Album Is A 'Bit More Raw'|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=May 30, 2014|access-date=May 28, 2022}} The album's title track was released as a single the following month. The album was released on August 5, 2014, and sold around 58,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 3 on The Billboard 200 chart.{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/godsmacks-1000hp-lands-at-no-3-on-billboard-chart/|title=Godsmack's '1000hp' Lands At No. 3 On Billboard Chart|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=August 13, 2014|access-date=May 28, 2022}}{{cite web|first=Chad|last=Childers|url=http://loudwire.com/godsmack-1000hp-video-debut-no-3-new-album/|title=Godsmack Unveil '1000hp' Video; Debut at No. 3 With New Album|website=Loudwire.com|date=August 13, 2014|access-date=May 28, 2022}} Since release the album has spawned the singles Something Different{{cite news|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/godsmacks-sully-erna-says-new-single-something-different-is-a-really-special-song|title=Godsmack's Sully Erna Says New Single 'Something Different' Is 'A Really Special Song'|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=November 16, 2014|access-date=May 28, 2022}} and What's Next.{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/godsmack-partners-with-charity-home-base-with-new-single-whats-next/|title=Godsmack Partners With Charity Home Base With New Single 'What's Next?'|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=September 16, 2015|access-date=May 28, 2022}} The band have unified a campaign to aid military veterans with their latest single What's Next.

Godsmack also headlined the 2014 Uproar Festival.{{cite web|first=Marty|last=Clear|url=http://www.bradenton.com/2014/08/28/5325310/godsmack-headlines-uproar-festival.html|title=Godsmack headlines Uproar Festival|website=Bradenton.com|date=September 18, 2014|access-date=May 28, 2022|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140918073954/http://www.bradenton.com/2014/08/28/5325310/godsmack-headlines-uproar-festival.html|archive-date=September 18, 2014|url-status=dead}} They were announced on August 20, 2014, to be part of the Soundwave Festival in Australia.{{cite web|first=Greg|last=Moskovitch|url=https://musicfeeds.com.au/features/godsmack-soundwave-will-be-the-baddest-ass-set-we-can-imagine/|title=Godsmack: "Soundwave Will Be The Baddest-Ass Set We Can Imagine"|website=Music Feeds|date=August 21, 2014|access-date=May 28, 2022}} In July 2015, the band revealed dates for an upcoming North American fall headline tour. The run included dates with Sevendust.{{cite web|url=https://www.theprp.com/2015/07/13/news/godsmack-and-sevendust-announce-fall-north-american-tour/|title=Godsmack And Sevendust Announce Fall North American Tour|website=The PRP|date=July 13, 2015|access-date=May 28, 2022}}{{cite web|first=Chad|last=Bowar|url=http://loudwire.com/godsmack-sevendust-fall-north-american-tour/|title=Godsmack and Sevendust To Embark on Fall 2015 North American Tour|website=Loudwire.com|date=July 14, 2015|access-date=May 28, 2022}} Also in August 2015 Godsmack announced a new leg of North American dates that would keep the band busy through mid-November.{{cite web|author=Sarah Marie Pittman|url=http://www.pollstar.com/news_article.aspx?ID=819890|title=Godsmack Extends North American Plans|website=Pollstar.com|date=August 18, 2015|access-date=May 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170323114922/http://www.pollstar.com/news_article.aspx?ID=819890|archive-date=March 23, 2017}}{{cite web|first=Susan|last=Stapleton|url=http://www.latimes.com/travel/lasvegas/lasvegasnow/la-tr-lvn-las-vegas-shows-godsmack-20150818-story.html|title=Godsmack to end its fall tour with a stop in Las Vegas|publisher=Los Angeles Times.com|date=August 19, 2015|access-date=May 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405102444/http://www.latimes.com/travel/lasvegas/lasvegasnow/la-tr-lvn-las-vegas-shows-godsmack-20150818-story.html|archive-date=April 5, 2022}}

On October 14, 2015, Godsmack released a digital single called "Inside Yourself" available for a limited free download.{{cite web|first=Chad|last=Childers|url=http://loudwire.com/godsmack-free-song-inside-yourself/|title=Godsmack Surprise Fans With Free Song 'Inside Yourself'|website=Loudwire.com|date=October 14, 2015|access-date=May 28, 2022}}{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/godsmack-releases-new-song-inside-yourself/|title=Godsmack Releases New Song 'Inside Yourself'|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=October 14, 2015|access-date=May 28, 2022}}{{cite web|first=Richard|last=Bienstock|url=http://www.revolvermag.com/news/godsmack-offer-free-download-of-new-song-inside-yourself.html|title=Godsmack Offer Free Download of New Song, "Inside Yourself"|publisher=Revolvermag.com|date=October 14, 2015|access-date=May 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170614192932/http://www.revolvermag.com/news/godsmack-offer-free-download-of-new-song-inside-yourself.html|archive-date=June 14, 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://radio.com/2015/10/14/godsmack-offer-free-track-inside-yourself/|title=Godsmack Offer Free Track 'Inside Yourself'|website=Radio.com|date=October 14, 2015|access-date=May 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170109120713/http://radio.com/2015/10/14/godsmack-offer-free-track-inside-yourself/|archive-date=January 9, 2017}} The song was released on iTunes on November 20, 2015.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/Godsmack/photos/a.481090142454.262222.65461877454/10153110375102455/?type=3 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/65461877454/10153110375102455 |archive-date=February 26, 2022 |url-access=limited|title=Godsmack on Facebook|work=Godsmack|access-date=November 17, 2015}}{{cbignore}}{{cite web|title=Inside Yourself - Single by Godsmack on iTunes|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/inside-yourself-single/1058704696|website=iTunes Store|publisher=Apple Inc.|location=United States|date=November 20, 2015}}

On September 9, 2016, Erna confirmed that the band had officially left Universal/Republic, and signed a deal with BMG.{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/godsmack-splits-with-longtime-label-republicuniversal-signs-with-bmg/|title=Godsmack Splits With Longtime Label Republic/Universal, Signs With BMG|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=September 10, 2016|access-date=May 28, 2022}}{{cite web|first=Chad|last=Childers|url=http://loudwire.com/godsmack-sully-erna-confirms-band-label-change/|title=Godsmack's Sully Erna Confirms Band's Label Change|website=Loudwire.com|date=September 11, 2016|access-date=May 28, 2022}}

The band began work on a seventh studio album in 2017. The album, When Legends Rise, was released on April 27, 2018.{{cite web|first=Joe|last=DiVita|url=http://loudwire.com/godsmack-when-legends-rise-song-bulletproof/|title=Godsmack Go Melodic on New 'When Legends Rise' Song 'Bulletproof'|website=Loudwire|date=February 28, 2018|access-date=May 28, 2022}}{{cite web|first=Neil Z.|last=Yeung|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/when-legends-rise-mw0003154317|title=When Legends Rise – Godsmack | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=May 27, 2022}}{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/godsmack-to-release-when-legends-rise-album-in-april-bulletproof-single-available/|title=Godsmack To Release 'When Legends Rise' Album In April; 'Bulletproof' Single Available|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=February 28, 2018|access-date=May 28, 2022}} The album's first single, "Bulletproof", was released ahead of the album on February 28, 2018. The band toured across North America from May through October 2018. They played at several festivals before embarking on a co-headlining summer tour with Shinedown.{{cite magazine|first=Gary|last=Graff|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/godsmack-shinedown-tour-rock-8466327/|title=Godsmack & Shinedown Talk Touring Together, Explain Why 'Rock Is Not Dead'|magazine=Billboard|date=July 20, 2018|access-date=May 28, 2022}} The band then toured Europe in October and November 2018 in support of their new album.{{cite web|first=Scott|last=Munro|url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/godsmack-announce-european-tour|title=Godsmack announce European tour|work=Loudersound|date=May 1, 2018|access-date=May 28, 2022}} However, On October 17, 2018, it was announced that the band postponed their fall 2018 Europe tour, following death of Tony Rombola's son and plan to reschedule in early 2019.{{cite web|first=Chad|last=Childers|url=http://loudwire.com/godsmack-fall-2018-european-tour-postponed-death-tony-rombola-son/|title=Godsmack Fall 2018 European Tour Postponed Following Death of Tony Rombola's Son|publisher=Loudwire.com|date=October 17, 2018|access-date=March 27, 2022}}{{cite web|first=Rachel|last=Campbell|url=https://www.altpress.com/news/godsmack-postpone-tour-tony-rombola-son/|title=Godsmack postpone tour following guitarist's son's death|publisher=Altpress.com|date=October 16, 2018|access-date=March 27, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2018/10/godsmack-guitarist-tony-rombola-son-dies-band-postpones-europe-tour/|title=Godsmack guitarist Tony Rombola's son dies, band postpones Europe tour|publisher=Consequence|date=October 16, 2018|access-date=May 28, 2022}}{{cite magazine|first=Nicole|last=Engelman|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/8480809/godsmack-postpone-tony-rombola-son-dies|title=Godsmack Postpone Tour Following the Death of Tony Rombola's Son|magazine=Billboard|date=October 19, 2018|access-date=May 28, 2022}}

On July 25, 2019, the song "Under Your Scars" hit number 1 for two weeks for the first time on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart.{{cite web|first=Kevin|last=Rutherford|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8523934/godsmack-under-your-scars-number-one-mainstream-rock-songs-chart/|title=Godsmack Lands Third Straight No. 1 (And 10th Overall) on Mainstream Rock Songs Chart|publisher=Billboard|date=July 25, 2019|access-date=May 28, 2022}}

On April 8, 2020, the band released a music video for the song "Unforgettable". The band invited 400 aspiring musicians from middle school students across New England to take part in the video. The video, directed by Noah Berlow, again sent the song to the top of the charts for five weeks, setting a new record most constitutive at number 1 in its category.{{cite web|first=Lauryn|last=Schaffner|url=https://loudwire.com/godsmack-unforgettable-video-400-kids/|title=Godsmack's New 'Unforgettable' Video Features 400 Kids|website=Loudwire|date=April 8, 2020|access-date=May 28, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/watch-godsmack-bring-hundreds-of-students-together-in-new-hampshire-to-perform-in-music-video/|title=Watch Godsmack Bring Hundreds Of Students Together In New Hampshire To Perform In Music Video|website=Blabbermouth|date=February 18, 2020|access-date=May 28, 2022}}

File:Godsmack Worcester.jpg, in 2022]]

News of a follow-up to the album began circulating as early as August 2019 when frontman Sully Erna revealed in an interview with Canada's iHeartRadio that the band has been preparing to begin the songwriting process for the album.{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/godsmack-is-preparing-to-begin-songwriting-process-for-next-studio-album|title=Godsmack Is Preparing To Begin Songwriting Process For Next Studio Album|work=Blabbermouth.net|date=September 13, 2019|access-date=September 28, 2022}}

It was later revealed that Godsmack would be working on two new releases for 2021: an acoustic EP and a full length album.{{cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/godsmack-two-new-releases-2021/|title=Godsmack Planning Two New Releases for 2021|work=Loudwire|date=August 9, 2020|access-date=October 2, 2022}} That plan has since been scrapped with Sully admitting that the band was being "a little bit more ambitious" at the time.{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/why-godsmack-scrapped-plan-to-release-two-new-albums|title=Why Godsmack Scrapped Plan To Release Two New Albums|work=Blabbermouth.net|date=October 2, 2019|access-date=October 2, 2022}}

With just one album to focus on, Godsmack drummer Shannon Larkin said on "The Metal Teddy Bear Experience" podcast that the band intended for the album to be released in 2022.{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/no-new-godsmack-album-before-2022/|title=No New Godsmack Album Before 2022|publisher=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=March 3, 2021|date=December 17, 2020}} In an April 23, 2022, interview with WJRR, frontman Sully Erna said that the band has finished recording the new album with a new single expected to hit the airwaves in mid-to-late summer and that the album could be the band's last.{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/sully-erna-opens-up-about-gnarly-battle-with-covid-19-says-godsmacks-next-album-might-be-bands-last/|title=Sully Erna Opens Up About 'Gnarly' Battle With COVID-19, Says Godsmack 's Next Album Might Be Band's Last|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=April 25, 2022|access-date=April 25, 2022}}

On September 28, 2022, the band released the single titled "Surrender".{{cite web|url=https://www.audacy.com/national/music/audacy-world-premiere-godsmack-surrender|title=World Premiere: Godsmack – 'Surrender'|work=Audacy|date=September 28, 2022|access-date=September 28, 2022}} Shortly after the release of the new single, Sully Erna revealed in an interview with 93X Radio's Pablo that the title of the album would be Lighting Up the Sky and that it would indeed be the band's last record.{{cite web|url=https://www.93x.com/2022/09/28/interview-sully-erna/|title=Interview with Sully Erna (Godsmack)

|work=93x.com|date=September 28, 2022|access-date=September 28, 2022}} A second single for the album "You and I" was released on November 11, 2022. The album was released on February 24, 2023.

On April 2, 2025, it was announced that guitarist Tony Rombola and drummer Shannon Larkin had both left Godsmack in 2024, citing exhaustion after years of touring.{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/godsmack-confirms-split-with-shannon-larkin-and-tony-rombola-their-departure-opens-the-door-for-new-and-exciting-possibilities|title=Godsmack Confirms Split With Shannon Larkin And Tony Rombola: 'Their Departure Opens The Door For New And Exciting Possibilities'|work=Blabbermouth.net|date=April 2, 2025|access-date=April 2, 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/shannon-larkin-says-he-and-tony-rombola-quit-godsmack-last-year|title=Shannon Larkin Says He And Tony Rombola Quit Godsmack Last Year|work=Blabbermouth.net|date=April 2, 2025|access-date=April 2, 2025}}

File:Sully Ernas drum solo.jpg]]

Godsmack has been described as post-grunge,{{cite web|first=Jason|last=Ankeny|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/godsmack-mn0000665860/biography|title=Godsmack - Artist Biography|website=AllMusic|access-date=May 27, 2022}}{{cite web|first=Wade|last=Kergan|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/faceless-mw0000023020|title=Faceless - Godsmack|website=Allmusic|access-date=May 27, 2022}}{{cite web|first=Gregory|last=Heaney|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/live-inspired-mw0002348792|title=Live & Inspired - Godsmack|website=Allmusic|access-date=May 27, 2022}}{{cite web|first=Jeff|last=Bulmer|url=http://www.thephoenixnews.com/2014/09/godsmack-goes-back-in-time-with-1000hp/|title=Godsmack Goes Back in Time with 1000hp|publisher=The Phoenix News|date=September 18, 2014|access-date=May 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190317085047/http://www.thephoenixnews.com/2014/09/godsmack-goes-back-in-time-with-1000hp/|archive-date=March 17, 2019}}{{cite web|first=Gregory|last=Heaney|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/sully-erna-mn0000582228/biography|title=Sully Erna Biography & History|website=Allmusic|access-date=May 27, 2022}} hard rock,{{cite web|first=Gil|last=Kaufman|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/516426/godsmack-plan-to-tell-of-fames-travails-on-next-lp/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528041455/http://www.mtv.com/news/516426/godsmack-plan-to-tell-of-fames-travails-on-next-lp/|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 28, 2022|title=Godsmack Plan To Tell Of Fame's Travails On Next LP|website=MTV|date=August 4, 1999|access-date=May 27, 2022}}{{cite web|first=Ken|last=McIntyre|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/godsmack-we-want-to-remind-people-what-real-hard-rock-music-is|title=Godsmack: "We want to remind people what real hard rock music is."|website=Louder Sound|date=August 9, 2014|access-date=May 27, 2022}} nu metal,{{cite web|first=Roxanne|last=Blanford|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/godsmack-mw0000042111|title=Godsmack review|website=Allmusic|access-date=May 27, 2022}}{{cite web|first=Chris|last=Krovatin|url=https://www.kerrang.com/what-the-girl-from-the-cover-of-godsmacks-debut-looks-like-now|title=What the girl from the cover of Godsmack's debut looks like now|website=Kerrang|date=August 25, 2021|access-date=May 27, 2022}}{{cite web|first=Scott|last=Heisel|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/9316/story-of-the-year-jumped-by-godsmack-at-radio-festival|title=Story Of The Year jumped by Godsmack at radio festival|website=Punknews.org|date=June 1, 2004|access-date=May 27, 2022}} alternative metal,{{cite magazine|first=Brian|last= Garrity|title=Godsmack Keeps Alt Metal 'Awake'|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zxEEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA18|magazine= Billboard|date=October 28, 2000|volume=112|issue= 44|page= 18|publisher=Nielsen Business Media|access-date=May 27, 2022}}{{cite news|first=Joan|last=Anderman|url=http://www.boston.com/ae/music/articles/2006/04/23/a_quiet_setting_to_make_some_noise/|title=A quiet setting to make some noise|publisher=Boston.com|date=April 23, 2006|access-date=May 27, 2022}} and heavy metal.{{cite web|first=Julia|last=Oller|url=https://www.dispatch.com/story/entertainment/events/2018/05/17/what-fans-may-call-selling/12181029007/|title=What fans may call selling out Godsmack considers evolution|website=The Columbus Dispatch|date=May 17, 2018|access-date=May 27, 2022}}{{cite web|author=Olivia Flores Alvarez|url=https://www.houstonpress.com/music/godsmack-6545554|title=Godsmack|website=Houston Press|date=August 24, 2006|access-date=May 27, 2022}}{{cite web|first=Caleb|last=Haley|url=http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/music/godsmack-bassist-talks-touring-life-20-years-as-a-band-and-being-honored-by-boston-6606902|title=Godsmack Bassist Talks Touring Life, 20 Years as a Band, and Being Honored by Boston|website=Phoenix New Times|date=March 16, 2015|access-date=May 27, 2022}} The band's primary influences include Aerosmith, Alice in Chains, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Metallica, Pantera and Rush according to Erna, Larkin, and Rombola.{{cite web |url=http://www.gibson.com/Whatsnew/pressrelease/2000/nov30a.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930180834/http://www.gibson.com/Whatsnew/pressrelease/2000/nov30a.html |archive-date=September 30, 2007 |title=Exclusive: Tony Rombola of Godsmack|access-date=November 10, 2007 |last=Sharken |first=Lisa |date=November 20, 2000 |publisher=Gibson.com }}{{cite web |url=http://www.newhampshire.com/nh-people/sully-erna-biography.aspx |title=New Hampshire People – Sully Erna/Godsmack |access-date=November 9, 2007 |publisher=New Hampshire People.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071005100622/http://www.newhampshire.com/nh-people/sully-erna-biography.aspx |archive-date=October 5, 2007 }} Erna credits Layne Staley with inspiring him to start singing,{{cite web|first=Joe|last=Dangelo|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1453568/20020423/alice_in_chains.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020806003323/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1453568/20020423/alice_in_chains.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 6, 2002|title=MTV.com – "'He Got Me To Start Singing': Artists Remember Layne Staley"|publisher=MTV.com|date=April 22, 2002|access-date=November 8, 2007}} and considers James Hetfield as a primary influence.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvvSpLp7a-w|title=Godsmack's Sully Erna - Wikipedia: Fact or Fiction? (Part 1)|date=July 16, 2014|via=YouTube}}

The overall sound of the band's first two albums have been compared to Alice in Chains' album Dirt.{{cite web|url=http://www.subvulture.com/archive/082.html|title=Subvulture.com – Godsmack|publisher=Subvulture.com|date=March 4, 2003|access-date=May 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071202113850/http://www.subvulture.com/archive/082.html|archive-date=December 2, 2007|url-status=dead}} However, Godsmack has attempted to distance themselves from the Alice in Chains comparison with Erna stating in an interview with Matt Ashare, "I've just never really heard that in our music."{{cite web|first=Matt|last=Ashare|url=http://www.portlandphoenix.com/music/other_stories/documents/03666221.asp|title=Soft cell The other side of Godsmack|publisher=Portlandphoenix.com|date=March 18, 2004|access-date=January 2, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050301163242/http://www.portlandphoenix.com/music/other_stories/documents/03666221.asp|archive-date=March 1, 2005|url-status=dead}}

The band's music is often compared to Alice in Chains which the band cites as an influence.{{cite web|first=Adrien|last=Begrand|url=http://www.popmatters.com/music/reviews/g/godsmack-otherside.shtml|title=Godsmack – The Other Side|publisher=Popmatters.com|date=March 16, 2006|access-date=May 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080209164124/https://www.popmatters.com/music/reviews/g/godsmack-otherside.shtml|archive-date=February 9, 2008|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/watch-godsmacks-sully-erna-sing-alice-in-chains-man-in-the-box|title=Watch Godsmack's Sully Erna Sing Alice in Chains' 'Man In The Box'|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=January 31, 2020|access-date=May 27, 2022}} Adrien Begrand of PopMatters states, "Erna perfectly mimics the late Layne Staley's low, guttural, sinister singing and snarly, metal-inspired growls" and, "The band's music is a faithful retread of Jerry Cantrell's churning, tuned-down hard rock".

Erna's singing style has been stated as "the snarl of James Hetfield", and "composed of dark harmony that sounds a lot like Alice in Chains".{{cite web|first=Jon|last=Wiederhorn|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1479636/20031008/godsmack.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040224063159/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1479636/20031008/godsmack.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 24, 2004|title=Godsmack Travel To The Other Side For New EP|publisher=MTV|date=October 8, 2003|access-date=November 19, 2007}} Merrill's bass style has been described as "bulldozer bottom with occasional slap-bass reverb".{{cite magazine|first=Greg|last=Kot|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/godsmack/albums/album/272323/review/6067953/awake|title=Godsmack Awake Album Reviews|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=November 9, 2000|access-date=November 19, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071202121328/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/godsmack/albums/album/272323/review/6067953/awake|archive-date=December 2, 2007|url-status=dead}} Larkin's drumming is thought to "worship at the twin altars of Neil Peart and John Bonham". And Rombola's guitar playing style has been praised as "guitars that sound like percussion instruments".

File:2015 RiP Godsmack Sully Erna by 2eight - 3SC5210.jpg|Sully Erna

File:2015 RiP Godsmack Robbie Merrill by 2eight - 3SC5181.jpg|Robbie Merrill

Current members

• Sully Erna – lead vocals, rhythm guitar (1995–present); drums (studio; 1996–2003, 2022–2023, 2024–present); lead guitar (studio; 2024–present)
• Robbie Merrill – bass (1995–present); backing vocals (2010–present)

Touring members

• Chris Decato – keyboards (2024){{cite web|url=https://www.gratefulweb.com/articles/godsmack-vibez-tour-night-intimacy-and-reflection-youtube-theater#google_vignette|title=Godsmack Vibez Tour: A Night of Intimacy and Reflection|date=April 16, 2024}}
• Tim Theriault – rhythm guitar (2024)
• Will Hunt – drums (2025–present){{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/sully-erna-says-personal-things-are-preventing-shannon-larkin-and-tony-rombola-from-touring-with-godsmack|title=Sully Erna Says 'Personal Things' Are Preventing Shannon Larkin And Tony Rombola From Touring With Godsmack|work=Blabbermouth.net|date=March 23, 2025|access-date=March 23, 2025}}
• Sam Koltun – lead guitar (2025–present)

Former members

• Tommy Stewart – drums (1995–1997, 1998–2002)
• Lee Richards – lead guitar (1995–1996)
• Tony Rombola – lead guitar, backing vocals (1996–2025)
• Joe D'Arco – drums (1997–1998)
• Shannon Larkin – drums, percussion (2002–2025)

Timeline

{{#tag:timeline|

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Alignbars = justify

DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy

Period = from:1995 till:{{#time:m/d/Y}}

TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy

Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:4

ScaleMajor = increment:3 start:1995

ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1995

Colors =

id:lvocals value:red legend:Lead_vocals,_rhythm_guitar

id:backing value:pink legend:Backing_vocals

id:lguitar value:green legend:Lead_guitar

id:bass value:blue legend:Bass

id:drums value:orange legend:Drums

id:perc value:claret legend:Percussion

id:studio value:black legend:Studio_album

id:other value:gray(0.6) legend:Other_release

id:bars value:gray(0.93)

BackgroundColors = bars:bars

LineData =

layer:back

color:studio

at:08/25/1998

at:10/31/2000

at:04/08/2003

at:04/25/2006

at:05/04/2010

at:08/05/2014

at:04/27/2018

at:02/24/2023

color:other

at:02/15/1997

at:03/16/2004

at:05/15/2012

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bar:Erna text:Sully Erna

bar:Richards text:Lee Richards

bar:Rombola text:Tony Rombola

bar:Merrill text:Robbie Merrill

bar:Stewart text:Tommy Stewart

bar:D'Arco text:Joe D'Arco

bar:Larkin text:Shannon Larkin

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bar:Erna from:start till:end color:lvocals

bar:Erna from:06/01/1996 till:04/08/2003 color:drums width:3

bar:Erna from:01/01/2022 till:02/24/2023 color:drums width:3

bar:Erna from:10/26/2024 till:end color:drums width:7

bar:Erna from:10/26/2024 till:end color:lguitar width:3

bar:Richards from:start till:06/01/1996 color:lguitar

bar:Rombola from:06/01/1996 till:10/26/2024 color:lguitar

bar:Rombola from:06/01/1996 till:10/26/2024 color:backing width:3

bar:Merrill from:start till:end color:bass

bar:Merrill from:01/01/2010 till:end color:backing width:3

bar:Stewart from:start till:05/15/1997 color:drums

bar:Stewart from:04/15/1998 till:09/01/2002 color:drums

bar:D'Arco from:05/15/1997 till:04/15/1998 color:drums

bar:Larkin from:09/01/2002 till:10/26/2024 color:drums

bar:Larkin from:09/01/2002 till:10/26/2024 color:perc width:3

}}

{{Main|Godsmack discography}}

;Studio albums

• Godsmack (1998)
• Awake (2000)
• Faceless (2003)
• IV (2006)
• The Oracle (2010)
• 1000hp (2014)
• When Legends Rise (2018)
• Lighting Up the Sky (2023)

{{award table}}

!{{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}

|-

| 2001

| "Vampires"

| Best Rock Instrumental Performance

| {{nom}}

| {{cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/godsmack/11543|title=Artist Godsmack|website=Grammy Awards|access-date=November 23, 2021}}{{cite web|url=http://www.kenphillipsgroup.com/Phillips/godsmack.htm|title=Ken Phillips Publicity Group - Godsmack|access-date=November 23, 2021|date=July 11, 2006|publisher=Ken Phillips Publicity Group|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905143804/http://www.kenphillipsgroup.com/Phillips/godsmack.htm|archive-date=September 5, 2008|url-status=dead}}

|-

| rowspan="2"| 2003

| rowspan="2"| "I Stand Alone"

| Best Rock Song

| {{nom}}

|

|-

| Best Hard Rock Performance

| {{nom}}

| rowspan="2"|

|-

| 2004

| "Straight Out of Line"

| Best Hard Rock Performance

| {{nom}}

{{end}}

{{award table}}

!{{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}

|-

| rowspan="2"| 2001

| Godsmack

| Rock Artist of the Year

| {{won}}

|

|-

| "Awake"

| rowspan="2"| Rock Single of the Year

| {{nom}}

| {{cite web|first=Corey|last=Moss|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1451229/alicia-keys-shaggy-top-billboard-music-awards-nominees/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150123170216/http://www.mtv.com/news/1451229/alicia-keys-shaggy-top-billboard-music-awards-nominees/|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 23, 2015|title=Alicia Keys, Shaggy Top Billboard Music Awards Nominees|work=mtv.com|date=November 28, 2001|accessdate=November 23, 2021}}

|-

| 2006

| "Speak"

| {{nom}}

| {{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/56556/2006-billboard-music-awards-finalists|title=2006 Billboard Music Awards Finalists|magazine=Billboard|date=November 29, 2006|access-date=November 23, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/11/30/2006-billboard-music-awards-airing-this-monday|title=2006 Billboard Music Awards Airing This Monday|website=IGN|date=November 6, 2006|access-date=May 28, 2022}}

{{end}}

{{award table}}

!{{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}

|-

| rowspan="4"| 1999

| rowspan="2"| Godsmack

| Rising Star

| {{won}}

| rowspan="4"|

|-

| Outstanding Debut Rock Band

| {{won}}

|-

| "Whatever"

| Single Of The Year

| {{won}}

|-

| Godsmack

| Debut Album Of The Year

| {{won}}

|-

| rowspan="4"| 2000

| rowspan="2"| Godsmack

| Act of the Year

| {{won}}

| rowspan="4"| {{cite web|url=https://bostonmusicawards.com/bma/boston-music-awards-2000/|title=Boston Music Awards 2000|website=Boston Music Awards|access-date=November 23, 2021}}

|-

| Outstanding Rock Band

| {{won}}

|-

| Sully Erna

| Male Vocalist of the Year

| {{won}}

|-

| Sully Erna/Godsmack

| Song/Songwriter

| {{won}}

|-

| rowspan="6"| 2001

| rowspan="2"| "Greed"

| Single of the Year

| {{nom}}

| rowspan="2"| {{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/godsmack-delivers-smack-this-dvd-76321/|title=Godsmack Delivers 'Smack This!' DVD|magazine=Billboard|date=March 28, 2002|access-date=November 23, 2021}}

|-

| Video of the Year

| {{nom}}

|-

| Awake

| Album of the Year

| {{won}}

| rowspan="4"| {{cite web|url=https://bostonmusicawards.com/bma/boston-music-awards-2001/|title=Boston Music Awards 2001|website=Boston Music Awards|access-date=November 23, 2021}}

|-

| Sully Erna

| Male Vocalist of the Year

| {{won}}

|-

| rowspan="3"| Godsmack

| Act of the Year

| {{won}}

|-

| Outstanding Rock Band

| {{won}}

|-

| rowspan="2"| 2002

| Rock Band of the Year

| {{won}}

| rowspan="2"| {{cite web|url=https://bostonmusicawards.com/bma/boston-music-awards-2002/|title=Boston Music Awards 2002|website=Boston Music Awards|access-date=November 23, 2021}}

|-

| Sully Erna

| Male Vocalist of the Year

| {{won}}

|-

| 2003

| rowspan="2"| Godsmack

| Outstanding Rock/Pop Band

| {{won}}

| {{cite web|url=https://bostonmusicawards.com/bma/boston-music-awards-2003/|title=Boston Music Awards 2003|website=Boston Music Awards|access-date=November 23, 2021}}

|-

| 2006

| Hard Rock Act of the Year

| {{won}}

| {{cite web|url=https://bostonmusicawards.com/bma/boston-music-awards-2006/|title=Boston Music Awards 2006|website=Boston Music Awards|access-date=November 23, 2021}}

{{end}}

• List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. Mainstream Rock chart

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category|Godsmack}}

{{Wikiquote}}

• {{official}}
• {{allMusic}}
• [{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=godsmack|chart=all}} Godsmack] at Billboard.com

{{Godsmack}}

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