Metal Anarchy

Godsmack recently raised some eyebrows after kicking off their European tour with Will Hunt (Evanescence) in place of drummer Shannon Larkin and Sam Bam Koltun (Dorothy, Faster Pussycat, etc.) in place of guitarist Tony Rombola. Fontman Sully Erna initially claimed his bandmates were absent due to “personal things.” However, Larkin has since confirmed that him and Rombola have exited the group.

Larkin said the following:

“There’s been lots of speculation about that. First of all, I just want to thank everyone for the outpouring of texts from all my family and friends. I’m okay, Tony’s okay.

We did quit the band last year after lots of talking to Sully and Robbie, and they understood that we didn’t want to tour anymore. That’s the reason. We understood that they wanted to tour, and so we understood each other and in the end, Godsmack’s out there touring and we are out here happily living our lives. Tony’s turning 60. I’m turning 58. It’s not a physical thing. We just want to be home with everything that we love. 40 years I’ve been touring, 28 years for Rombola. We’re getting a little older so we decided to quit.

It wasn’t a bad thing. I will talk more about it in the future, but it’s all love. We’re brothers for life with Sully and Robby, and we wish Will and Sam all the best. All the fans, keep going – they’re kicking ass. Sully said at the very end, ‘all good things must come to an end.’ Godsmack didn’t come to an end, it’s just a new chapter for them, and it’s certainly a new chapter for Tony and I. We’re already making new music and everybody’s happy.”

[via Metal Injection]