Full Breakdown
Godsmack Welcomes Former Dream Theater Drummer Mike Mangini Amid Tour Lineup Shift
6/14/2026, 1:12:14 PM
The Immediate Lineup Change
Godsmack announced that veteran progressive-metal drummer Mike Mangini will assume the drum seat for the remainder of its “The Rise Of Rock” North American tour. Mangini’s first performance with the band took place on June 12 2026 at the Morton Amphitheater in Riverside, Missouri, marking his debut on a Godsmack-headlined show without prior rehearsal.
Background: Recent Drummer Turnover
The change follows the abrupt departure of Wade Murff, who had joined Godsmack in spring 2026 after longtime drummer Shannon Larkin’s exit. Murff’s tenure included more than a dozen shows, beginning with the Welcome To Rockville festival on May 8 2026 and concluding with a performance in Houston, Texas on May 30 2026. On June 6 2026 the band announced Murff would fill in for Black Veil Brides drummer Christian “CC” Coma, and he debuted with that group on June 10 2026 in Munich, Germany.
Key Figures
- Mike Mangini – Former Dream Theater drummer (2010-2023), also known for work with Extreme, Steve Vai, and a solo career.
- Wade Murff – Drummer who previously performed with DaUGHTRY, Prong, Sebastian Bach, and other acts.
- Sully Erna – Godsmack frontman and primary spokesperson for the lineup change.
- Robbie Merrill – Bassist, long-time member of Godsmack.
- Sam Koltun – Guitarist who joined the touring lineup full-time in early 2025.
Timeline of Recent Events
- May 8 2026 – Murff’s live debut with Godsmack at Welcome To Rockville (Daytona Beach, FL).
- May 30 2026 – Murff’s final Godsmack show (Houston, TX).
- June 6 2026 – Announcement that Murff will substitute for Black Veil Brides drummer.
- June 10 2026 – Murff’s first Black Veil Brides performance (Munich, Germany).
- June 12 2026 – Mangini’s debut with Godsmack (Morton Amphitheater, Riverside, MO).
Data & Statistics
- Mangini spent 13 years with Dream Theater (2010-2023).
- Murff performed at least 12 Godsmack shows between May 8 and May 30 2026.
- The “Rise Of Rock” tour continues across major U.S. venues throughout the summer of 2026.
Official Statements & Responses
Godsmack confirmed Mangini’s appointment via its official channels, noting that the band will press on with the scheduled tour dates. Frontman Sully Erna expressed “complete confidence” in the new lineup, emphasizing that the musicians “honored the catalog” and that the sound would remain true to Godsmack’s identity. Mangini thanked the group for trusting him to perform “with no rehearsal,” describing the opportunity as a “dream come true.” The band has not announced any new recordings featuring Mangini at this time.
On-the-Ground Fan Reactions
Fan-shot video of Mangini’s debut quickly spread online, prompting discussion about how his “technical precision and progressive metal background” will mesh with Godsmack’s hard-hitting catalog. Many fans expressed anticipation, while others noted the challenge of integrating a drummer known for complex time-signatures into a more straightforward hard-rock framework.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Taking this all in today with show 1 done. And just like that, I finally get to play these dream venues in the USA with my Boston brothers in GODSMACK. I need to thank a lot of people for putting this together so quickly. I can't even express how grateful I am to Sully, Robbie, Sam and the entire organization for trusting me with no rehearsal. My gear companies performed nothing short of a miracle and my family, friends & fans never stopped praying for and supporting me. Thank you.” — Mike Mangini, Instagram post
- “Houston TX tonight! Little break coming up and then we come back and light up #kansascity. What a great start to the tour! Thank you to everyone who came out and saw 'The Rise Of Rock' show with #godsmack #stonetemplepilots and #dorothy!” — Wade Murff, Instagram post
- “I'm just really confident that this is gonna be just as good, if not better than ever, because these guys came in with the right attitude.” — Sully Erna, SiriusXM interview
- “He's got some great chops, and he's really playing the stuff solid.” — Sully Erna, SiriusXM interview
What’s Next
Godsmack will continue its “Rise Of Rock” tour through the summer, with Mangini slated to perform at all remaining dates. No studio releases have been scheduled, but the band’s management indicated that Mangini’s integration will be evaluated for potential future recordings. Fans can follow the band’s official channels for upcoming tour announcements and any news regarding new material.
