Godsmack at the Beacon Theatre

Sully Erna

Sully Erna's father was a trumpet player and would rehearse in the basement, where the youth would watch and fall asleep in an empty guitar case. Born and raised in Lawrence, Massachusetts, Erna began playing drums at the age of three. Erna first recorded in 1993 with a band called Strip Mind. Switching to vocals and guitar, he formed the Scam in 1995. The band soon rebranded itself Godsmack and over time sold 20 million albums worldwide, with three consecutive number-one albums on the Billboard 200 and 25 Top Ten rock radio hits, including 18 songs in the top five. The band released its seventh and most recent studio album, When Legends Rise, its first album in four years, on April 27, 2018. Godsmack presently consists of Erna, guitarist Tony Rombola, bassist Robbie Merrill, and drummer Shannon Larkin.

In recent years, Godsmack expanded from its original post-grunge alternative metal foundation and moved increasingly into a mellower area, especially with Erna's solo outings. Godsmack took time off to regroup its vision and mission and returned with an explosive sonic palette that recalls its signature sound. At the Beacon Theatre tonight, the houselights dimmed, a massive black curtain, emblazoned with the Godsmack logo, dropped to the apron of the stage with a loud boom and bright flash of stage pyrotechnics, and the quartet launched into the title track of the band's most recent album. The set featured seven songs from that album plus one to three songs from earlier albums, nearly all full-throttle, heavy-riffing rock and roll songs. Erna's vocals remained clear and upfront throughout the set, as the other musicians roared a stadium-sized muscular groove. Periodically, the songs were spiked with bursts of flames and flashing lights. A highlight was when a second drum set was rolled on stage and Erna and Larkin engaged in an extended and well-crafted drumming duel known as "Batalla de los Tambores," showcasing Erna's origin as a percussionist while the band teased riffs from AC/DC’s "Back in Black," Aerosmith's "Walk This Way," Led Zeppelin’s "Black Dog," Rush’s "Tom Sawyer," and Metallica’s "Enter Sandman." During the encore, Erna played piano briefly and encouraged the audience to support the band's charity, the Scars Foundation, dedicated to help provide resources for people struggling with suicide and depression. The concert proved that Godsmack is back in a big way.

Setlist:

1. When Legends Rise
2. 1000hp
3. Say My Name
4. Someday
5. Voodoo
6. Unforgettable
7. Awake
8. Take It to the Edge
9. Something Different
10. Keep Away
11. Batalla de los tambores
12. Whatever

Encore:

1. Under Your Scars
2. Bulletproof
3. Come Together (The Beatles cover)
4. I Stand Alone