Photo of Sully Erna of Godsmack by Colin Williams
The ‘90s were a pinnacle time for rock music, back when the “M” in MTV actually stood for something and a blurring of sub-genres like post-grunge, alternative rock, and nu-metal birthed bands like Staind. Few bands have lineups with the consistency of Staind (three of the four original members are still with the band), and they continue to produce music today that belongs both on modern and throwback stations. The band started out covering popular artists of the time like Pearl Jam, Pantera, and Korn, eventually introducing original material ahead of their debut album Tormented. Through a family connection, the band received an opportunity to open for Limp Bizkit. Despite some initial misunderstandings with Limp Bizkit’s lead singer Fred Durst, Staind made a lasting impression that catapulted their music careers into a record deal with Flip Records. The group has since enjoyed multiplatinum success in the music industry throughout seven records, currently gearing up for their eighth studio album release Confessions of the Fallen, set for September of this year.
Staind endured a five-year hiatus from 2014-2019 while vocalist Aaron Lewis pursued his passion for country music, releasing three solo albums during this time. Guitarist Mike Mushok found his place during that time with Saint Asonia, a super-group formed by Adam Gontier, who had previously fronted Three Days Grace. In 2019, Staind announced their reunion to the delight of their fans, but ultimately their live debut was delayed due to covid-19. Undeterred, the band continued to produce music and announced their upcoming album while Lewis simultaneously released additional solo singles “Am I the Only One” and “Goodbye Town,” as well as releasing a fourth solo album, Frayed at Both Ends, in early 2022.
The members of Staind (Lewis, Mushok, bassist Johnny April, and drummer Sal Giancarelli) were greeted with cheers from an enthusiastic audience in the packed amphitheater as they took the stage one by one. Lewis has made a name for being unapologetically conservative, and has a history of voicing his opinions with his microphone and wardrobe choices. He often takes the stage wearing hats or shirts promoting the 2nd Amendment, modern conservative patriotism, or more brazen statements such as “F*ck Biden.” On this particular Tuesday night in St. Louis, Lewis wore a simple black t-shirt with a message in white print reading “TRUTH: THE NEW HATE SPEECH.” Lewis opened the set with the band’s latest single, “Lowest in Me,” following this song with several other hits before finally addressing the crowd with a simple “I’m not going to say much tonight” and a gesture to his shirt, prompting loud cheers from those in attendance.
Staind navigated the audience through time and tragedies in their set, weaving heavy tracks such as “Not Again,” and soft, more somber songs like “Outside” or “Fade.” Lewis easily kept the St. Louis audience engaged, often holding his microphone out to the crowd to finish verses or choruses. Lewis, true to his word, spoke very little during his performance as he paced the stage playing guitar, smoking cigarettes, and drinking beer. Staind finished their set with “It’s Been Awhile” (arguably their most popular track off of Break the Cycle) as well as “Mudshovel,” the breakthrough hit from their second record, Dysfunction. Mushok and April poured sweat as they jumped and headbanged while performing heavy riffs. Mushok has been a renowned guitarist in rock music for nearly three decades and could be witnessed wielding both an acoustic and electric guitar simultaneously, expertly switching between them during “It’s Been Awhile.” Lewis and his bandmates incited a sense of nostalgia for their devoted fans and undoubtedly acquired several new ones at the Gateway to the West.
Godsmack assembled their stage behind a banner bearing their signature tribal sun logo that has been tattooed over many belly buttons and lower backs for well over two decades. Like Staind, this four-piece group was formed in 1995, but officially coalesced into what is now Godsmack with their first major label record deal in 1998. Frontman Sully Erna walked away from his drumming role in his former band and took up the guitar and microphone alongside longtime bassist and backing vocalist Robbie Merrell. Also like Staind, Godsmack has maintained a consistent lineup over their career with the exception of cycling through a couple drummers before landing their current percussionist Shannon Larkin in 2002. The band grew again after acquiring the extremely talented lead guitarist Tony Rombola in 1996. Their distinctive metal / industrial sound is instantly recognizable to any dedicated rock music fan of the past twenty-five years. Where many bands in the music industry have struggled to continuously evolve across the decades yet maintain a familiarity that their fans expect, Godsmack has consistently delivered hit songs that have received nominations and awards since their self-titled debut. Never to disappoint, the men of Godsmack delivered one hell of a show.
The banner dropped with a single pop of what was to be a night of pyrotechnics, with Larkin launching into a familiar floor tom drum groove while the remaining members of Godsmack entered the stage and launched into the popular title track of their 2018 album When Legends Rise. Erna greeted the St. Louis crowd and maintained a celebratory rock n’ roll atmosphere throughout the show with his natural charisma and seemingly endless energy. Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre was the first stop on Godsmack’s tour celebrating the release of their eighth studio album, Lighting Up the Sky, which was released in February of this year. Erna and his bandmates covered all of the group’s most popular tracks in their fifteen-song setlist as well as introducing live performances of four from the new record: “You and I,” “Soul On Fire,” “What About Me,” and current radio hit “Surrender.”
Many modern touring headlining rock bands boast impressive digital backdrops and colorful strobe lights but few can rival Godsmack’s stunningly choreographed pyrotechnics that send plumes of flames from the stage mere inches from band members. Erna requested complete darkness in the amphitheatre for their sixth song “Something Different,” asking the crowd to create a cell phone and lighter ambience. Erna explained “this song is about being in a crazy-ass relationship, one that makes you look like the crazy motherfucker, so we’re going to send this one out to that one motherfucker that stabbed you in the back one too many times.” The band gradually rebuilt the energy and enthusiasm as the song progressed into a heavy distortion chorus with fans singing along.
Godsmack carried on the show playing hit songs such as “Awake,” “Bulletproof,” and “Voodoo” before Erna could showcase his versatility with drummer Shannon Larkin as they performed a Godsmack signature live show “Batalla de los Tambores,” translated as “battle of the drums.” Wrapping up the night strong, the group played one of their first hits, “Whatever,” which was complimented with flying confetti and Erna trolling an audience member’s lack of energy and resemblance to Maynard James Keenan of the band Tool. The lights dimmed again as a new backdrop fell with “Thank you for 25 years!” and a piano appeared on stage. Erna spoke of The Scars Foundation, a charitable foundation with goals to raise awareness of bullying, mental health, and addiction, and prevent suicide. Godsmack then closed the show with “Under Your Scars” and “I Stand Alone,” a track written for and featured on the soundtrack for the 2002 blockbuster film The Scorpion King.
Godsmack has earned the adoration of their dedicated fans and cemented their legacy in rock music over the past twenty-five years. Sully Erna’s gregarious stage presence accompanied by founding bassist Robbie Merrell, legendary guitarist Tony Rombola, and perpetually dueling drummer Shannon Larkin have left their mark on international stages over two and a half decades. The band will maintain their 1000HP rock music engine with a recently announced tour beginning in September with support from I Prevail and Atreyu, hitting additional cities in the United States and Canada before ending in the UK. To Erna and the guys of Godsmack, you’re welcome for the twenty-five years, here’s to twenty-five more! | Colin Williams
