0 years since the release of their debut album and 20 million album sales later, Godsmack are an even stronger animal than before. The proof is in the grooves of When Legends Rise, their first album in four years that’s due out April 27th through BMG and marking their debut on the label. The album is available for pre-order now here with instant grat track, Bulletproof.
Arriving to radio today, February 28th, the first single is Bulletproof, which shows the band–Sully Erna [vocals, guitar], Tony Rombola [guitar], Robbie Merrill [bass], and Shannon Larkin [drums]–doubling down on their combination of tightly wound riffs, rhythmic fury, naked emotions and pushed-to-the-edge vocals, all fired up with melodic precision and tight songcraft. An official music video is coming soon. Listen to the song below.
What inspired the songs on When Legends Rise? “It was just about evolving as a songwriter,” says singer and songwriter Sully Erna. “I wanted to stretch my wings out even further to use all the experiences I’ve had with writing different types of music over the years and applying that to find a way to introduce a newer, fresher, more mature sound, but still maintaining the power of Godsmack.”
When Legends Rise, the band’s seventh studio album, was recorded at their headquarters (GSHQ) in Derry, New Hampshire and produced by Erik Ron and Sully Erna. Sonically intense and layered, it pushes the band forward and kicks off with the title track which begins with tribal-style drums and lethal riffs. When Legends Rise speaks to “the band and our journey,” says Erna.”It’s been an amazing road we have traveled through all the ups and downs. But being able to conquer those challenging times with alcohol and egos and everything else that can tear a band apart is what we are the most proud of. To be able to stand strong again and do it better than we ever have. It’s about burning it down and building it back up. It’s the Phoenix rising from the ashes.”
Emotions run strong on Bulletproof. Says Erna, “I always write about things that have affected me on an emotional level. I think everyone knows that about me by now. But if I choose to do that, I have to be prepared to be honest and vulnerable. And so the challenge is figuring out how ‘exposed’ you want to be with personal information. But I’ve also learned over the years that for me, being transparent, even to the point of embarrassment sometimes, is so much better than holding it inside and extending that pain longer than you need to. Bulletproof is just another moment in my life when I allowed myself to be vulnerable and got hurt. It’s this kind of carelessness from other people that eventually hardens you and forces you to put up that wall to protect yourself. So when and if they circle back around and try to get back in, you make yourself bulletproof.”
Another album standout is the anthemic Unforgettable with its towering, massive sound and some special vocal guests. “It’s my favorite song on the record,” says Erna. “And thanks to an organization I work with called C.A.T.S. (Community Alliance for Teen Safety) that focuses on helping young kids stay on the right path, I invited a bunch of kids from the Derry Middle Schools of New Hampshire to sing with me which I feel really brought this song over the top! They were incredible, and the song is Unforgettable!!”
When Legends Rise is also highlighted by the powerful string-laden ballad Under Your Scars. “I come from a very broad background in music,” explains Erna. “My great uncle was a famous composer in Sicily, and my dad is still a musician and runs an Italian band in the Boston area. So as I’ve grown over the years as an artist, I’ve regressed back to ALL TYPES of music and instruments I love working with and composing. So I called upon my dear friend Irina Chirkova to lay down the cello parts and Zvezdelina Haltakova (both from Bulgaria) did all the violin parts for me. And I really feel that this specific track will be something people will gravitate towards since it’s the first real ballad we’ve put on a Godsmack record. I think like it or not, they will gravitate towards it to explore it out of curiosity. But again, it’s about taking risks and expanding.”
When Legends Rise follows the success of 2014’s 1,000 HP, which entered the Top Billboard 200 chart at #3, with two #1 debuts (Billboard Top Alternative Albums: #1 Billboard Top Hard Rock Albums: #1).
One of rock’s most explosive live acts, Godsmack will perform at seven U.S. festivals, between April 27th and July 14th (see the dates below), to be followed later this year by a major outdoor amphitheater tour (details TBA).
The When Legends Rise track listing is:
When Legends Rise
Bulletproof
Unforgettable
Every Part Of Me
Take It To The Edge
Under Your Scars
Someday
Just One Time
Say My Name
Let It Out
Eye Of The Storm
Godsmack’s initial 2018 tour dates are as follows:
4/27 Jacksonville, FL Welcome to Rockville
4/28 Sunrise, FL Fort Rock Festival
5/5 Concord, NC Monster Energy’s Carolina Rebellion
5/18 Columbus, OH Rock on the Range
5/25 Pryor, OK Rocklahoma
7/12 Oshkosh, WI Rock USA
TBA (7/12-14) Cadott, WI Chippewa Valley Rock Fest
10 Responses
Strong! Great song, so true! Love it! What a great weekend it’s gonna be in Sunrise on April 28th & 29th at the Fort Rock Festival! Godsmack on Saturday, and Ozzy on Sunday, God help me on Monday! LOL!!! 😉
Great band for sure but this is a bit watered down ‘Smack, which sounds like Staind circa 2005.
Forgive Me, Shannon, I know It’s Been Awhile, but for some reason I guess you’ve seemed to be pissed at me lately. Whatever I said that upset you, I apologize, but there’s no need to Keep Away from me, I’m not The Enemy. Anyway, I get the Staind comparison, Bulletproof isn’t Re-Align, (my fave GS song, btw) but it’s still Godsmack, albeit slightly watered down. I hope we can “Speak” again, bro. Yes, sometimes you give me a headache, but I enjoy the challenge. 😉
Re-Align is a cool deep album track with a cool bridge-I have a feeling the guitar solo is what attaches that song to you Doug R. I really like Straight Out of Line, The Enemy, I Stand Alone, I like most of their songs really. It should be interesting to hear the rest of the new album. He said the new album would be different but he didn’t take enough of a risk it seems from that one song. Their cover songs sure don’t work. Rocky Mountain Way, and Come Together are, as Rob says, superfluous….This band is only effective in certain narrow areas Doug R. It seems Sully wants a certain level of credibility for his band that would cement it with the classic bands. I just hope Sully doesn’t cover Rockin’ in the Free World..lol…Doug R., baseball season is upon us again. (I thought you were mad at me). Here’s hoping we see Sammy in Limp Bizkit for a couple of songs.
I agree, I could do without the covers as well. And you’re right about Re-Align, that solo is f–king amazing! The whole song including the lyrics, but oh man, that solo gives me goose bumps every time! I don’t think GS will ever top their first 3 albums, my favorite being Awake, but the new music is still good enough to keep me interested! Gotta go, bro, my brother is visiting from NY, let’s go Mets! 😉
Playing Yahtzee with my brother and my old lady (ducking, lol) forgot to mention the blistering guitar work on Vampires! Tony and Sully are really blazing on that song! More goose bumps!! 😉
That guitar solo is Doug R., I knew it first time I heard it. 🙂
Absolutely! I’m blasting my brother’s ears out right now with Uncle Ted – Stormtroopin’ (live)!! Hell yeah!!
LOVE GODSMACK!! The song is different than what you usually hear from them, but I still dig it! I haven’t got to see them live, yet. Hopefully, they will tour someplace around here so I can finally check them out.
Keith, if you get a chance, go see them! Trust me, you won’t regret it. Godsmack is only 1 of a few bands from the 90’s/2000’s that I go out of my way to see, and always will! 🙂