Godsmack Kick Off European/UK Tour with Two Temporary Members

Godsmack’s European and UK tour with P.O.D. and Drowning Pool launched on March 22nd in Sofia, Bulgaria, but the multi-platinum hard rock outfit took the stage without two of their longtime members. Guitarist Tony Rombola and drummer Shannon Larkin were absent, with Sam Bam Koltun (Dorothy, Faster Pussycat) and Will Hunt (Evanescence) stepping in as their replacements.

Frontman Sully Erna recently commented on the situation in an interview with Z Rock, stating (transcribed by Blabbermouth.net)

“There has 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.”

Erna went on to clarify:

“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.”

When asked for further details regarding Rombola and Larkin’s absence, he remained cautious:

“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.”

For now, Erna assures fans that the band’s live sound remains intact, thanks to their temporary lineup:

“We have a guest drummer playing with us, who’s Will from Evanescence. And he is such a good friend of ours and such a great musician. And then we have a guitar player with us named Sam Koltun, who has played with several different bands. As far as the music goes and the sound, it sounds exactly like we’ve always sounded, which is even surprising to me.”

It remains unclear whether Koltun and Hunt will continue with the band for the rest of the tour, which includes the following stops:

03/24 Bucharest, ROM – Laminor Arena
03/26 Budapest, HUN – Barba Negra
03/27 Gliwice, POL – Prezero Arena Gliwive
03/29 Wien, AUT – Gasometer
03/30 Zagreb, CRO – Zrinjevac
04/01 Leipzig, GER – Haus Auensee
04/03 Munich, GER – Zenith
04/04 Berlin, GER – Columbiahalle
04/05 Aschaffenburg, GER – Stadthalle
04/07 London, UK – Eventim Apollo
04/09 Bruxelles, BEL – Forest National
04/11 Hamburg, GER – Inselparkhalle
04/12 Oberhausen, GER – Turbinenhalle

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