Godsmack kicked off their highly anticipated 2025 tour in Sofia, Bulgaria, over the weekend, making headlines with two significant absences in their lineup. Frontman Sully Erna has openly addressed the “changes” that fans quickly noticed, stirring curiosity and concern among their dedicated followers.

The band delivered a powerful 15-song set at Arena 8888 in Sofia, showcasing many of their biggest hits. However, the performance was marked by the absence of drummer Shannon Larkin and lead guitarist Tony Rombola. Filling in for them were Will Hunt, who took over drumming duties, and Sam Bam Koltun, stepping in as lead guitarist.

Sully Erna Addresses Godsmack’s Lineup Changes and Member Absences

Just a day before the concert in Sofia, Godsmack frontman Sully Erna spoke with Bulgaria’s Z Rock radio station regarding the noticeable absences of Larkin and Rombola. During his conversation with host Elena Rozberg, Erna responded to questions about the lineup, stating, “Well, such a tricky question to answer right now at this stage.” His candidness reflected the band’s current situation.

He elaborated (as transcribed by Blabbermouth), “I can tell you that there have definitely been some changes that have happened in the last few months. They are changes that we’re not sure will be permanent or temporary, but everybody and everyone is in good health and in really good spirits. And the band is doing better than ever.” This statement reassured fans about the band’s overall well-being.

After briefly discussing the excitement of performing for their largest audiences ever, Erna returned to address the absences of Larkin and Rombola directly. “All I can tell you right now is that the band is in good health, we’re in good spirits, but there’s gonna be a little bit of a different visual for everybody [at the Sofia show],” he remarked. “Tony and Shannon have some personal things going on, and they’re not with us. So we have a couple of guest musicians playing with us that are phenomenal.” This statement highlights the band’s adaptability in challenging situations.

When pressed further about the reasons behind the absence of the two band members, Erna shared, “I don’t know if I feel safe enough talking about that yet, because I don’t wanna give people the wrong impression. Right now we’re still at a stage where we’re trying to figure out exactly what’s happening, but we’re also trying to respect their privacy. So whatever Tony and Shannon have going on in their personal life, we’re just trying to respect that and at the same time still come here and put on a really great show.” This approach demonstrates the band’s commitment to both professionalism and empathy.

Insights from Sully Erna on Godsmack’s Current Touring Musicians

While maintaining respect for the privacy of the absent band members, Erna was enthusiastic about introducing the talented musicians currently filling in for them. “I can tell you right now that we have a guest drummer playing with us, who’s Will from Evanescence. He is such a good friend of ours and such a great musician, and we’ve been having so much fun with him. So that’s been a real surprise,” Erna shared, emphasizing the positive dynamics among the band.

He continued, “And then we have a guitar player with us named Sam Koltun, who is somebody who — he’s played with several different bands and a really, really nice guy and great guitar player.” This highlights the quality of musicianship brought by the guest artists. “So as far as the music goes and the sound, it sounds exactly like we’ve always sounded, which is even surprising to me.” Erna’s comments underline the band’s commitment to maintaining their signature sound.

Some of Koltun’s impressive credits include performances with Dorothy, Budderside, Faster Pussycat, Crossbone Skully, The Throbs, and more, showcasing the breadth of his experience and talent.

Godsmack’s Exciting Journey in 2025

Currently, Godsmack is on an exhilarating journey across Europe as part of their extensive world tour. The European leg comprises 14 dates, culminating in a final show on April 12 in Oberhausen, Germany. The renowned bands Drowning Pool and P.O.D. are providing support throughout this thrilling run, enhancing the overall concert experience.

Fans can find all dates and ticketing information for Godsmack on their official website. At present, there are no additional dates scheduled beyond their current European tour, but enthusiasts are hopeful for further announcements.