Godsmack’s Shannon Larkin, Tony Rombola Exit Band Amid New Tour

SOFIA, Bulgaria – Drummer Shannon Larkin and guitarist Tony Rombola have officially left Godsmack, as confirmed by Larkin in a recently shared yet now-deleted video. The announcement comes just as the band commenced their 2025 European tour on March 22 with a new lineup featuring Will Hunt of Evanescence and Sam Bam Koltun of Dorothy.

Speculation surrounding the band’s lineup emerged after Erna had described it as a ‘tricky question’ due to Larkin and Rombola’s ‘personal things.’ However, Larkin disclosed that the pair decided to step away from touring after extensive discussions with frontman Sully Erna and bassist Robbie Merrill.

In his video, Larkin expressed gratitude for the support he and Rombola received, stating, ‘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.’

Larkin, 58, added that both he and Rombola, 60, want to spend more time at home. ‘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,’ he said.

Despite their departure, Larkin emphasized that the split was amicable. ‘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.’

Godsmack’s European tour continues with support from P.O.D. and Drowning Pool, ending on April 12 in Oberhausen, Germany. Larkin mentioned that he and Rombola are already working on new music and are happy pursuing their separate careers.

Godsmack has yet to provide an official statement regarding the recent departures. As of now, the band is focusing on delivering an exceptional live performance and engaging with fans, as highlighted by Erna’s recent comments about performing in sold-out venues around the world.

Erna expressed optimism about the band’s future, stating, ‘The band is in good health, we’re in good spirits, but there’s gonna be a little bit of a different visual for everybody. We respect Tony and Shannon’s privacy and are focused on the current tour.’

Fans are encouraged to continue supporting Godsmack, which remains a significant player in the hard rock scene despite these changes. With a legacy spanning over two decades and several acclaimed albums, the band is poised to navigate this new chapter in its storied history.