Godsmack Issues Statement on Departure of Shannon Larkin and Tony Rombola

After days of speculation, Godsmack has officially confirmed that longtime drummer Shannon Larkin and guitarist Tony Rombola have retired from the band. The news follows a recent performance in Sofia, Bulgaria, where both members were absent, leading fans to wonder about their status.

In a statement issued by frontman Sully Erna and bassist Robbie Merrill, the band clarified that Larkin and Rombola made the decision to step away late last year, opting for a quieter life outside of touring. The departure, they emphasized, was on good terms.

For now, Evanescence drummer Will Hunt and Dorothy guitarist Sam Bam Koltun have stepped in to fulfill live commitments, though the band has not yet confirmed a permanent replacement for either role.

Read their full statement below:

“To our dearest friends and fans, we send this message to all of you to share some bittersweet news with you regarding a significant change in our journey together.

After almost three incredible decades, two of our most cherished members, Tony Rombola and Shannon Larkin, have decided to retire from the band permanently—on good terms—but for no other reason than to fulfill their desire to live a more simple and quiet life away from touring.

This decision was not made lightly. Tony and Shannon have been such a big part of our history, bringing their unique talents, creativity, and passion that have shaped our music and our message. Together, we have experienced countless, unforgettable moments and heartfelt interactions with fans like you around the world. We are immensely grateful for every memory we’ve created together.

Their departure marks the end of an era, but it also opens the door for new and exciting possibilities. We want to assure you that Shannon and Tony will always be part of our family, and their contributions will forever echo in our music. We respect their decisions and support them wholeheartedly as they pursue their own individual paths.

Robbie and I are also excited to explore new directions, and although we have not made any permanent decisions about who may replace Tony and Shannon, we will be continuing this journey together, and we look forward to sharing the decisions we make with all of you as they happen.

In the meantime, some of you may have heard, drummer Will Hunt of Evanescence, along with guitarist Sam Koltun of Dorothy, are filling in for Shannon and Tony as we honor and complete our current European dates.

Thank you for your unwavering support over the years. We are grateful to have you by our side as we navigate this transition. Let’s celebrate the memories we’ve made together while we all look forward to our future together.

With love and respect, Sully, Robbie, Tony, Shannon.”

While Godsmack has been vocal about not releasing new music, their touring plans remain active with the current lineup. Stay tuned for further updates.

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