Godsmack Leads the Way During Rise of the Rock Tour Stop

About two-thirds of the way through their headlining set at Truliant Amphitheater on Thursday night, Godsmack singer/frontman Sully Erna floated out onto the stage on a rotating drum set. He and drummer Wade Murff offered a drum battle of sorts for the medley titled “Batalla de Los Tambores.”

Better known as a guitarist and singer, Erna showed off surprising skills as a drummer and the energy level soared as he threw his drumsticks into the air then continued drumming without missing a beat.

It was the crescendo to a night of rock music that featured Godsmack, Stone Temple Pilots and Dorothy performing at Charlotte’s largest outdoor concert venue.

With Godsmack, the loyal fans were out in full force. Upon entering the amphitheater, there were more fans wearing prior tour merch than many other concerts in recent memory. “How many Godsmack shows have you been to?” I asked one fan. “At least six,” he replied. Another fan was seeing them for the first time but was already wearing the merch.

Godsmack’s Erna hit the stage shortly after 9 p.m. and launched into an extended intro of “Surrender.” While the band hasn’t released new music since 2018, they did put out a live album, Live at the Mohegan Sun, on May 1.

“Celebrating the gift of music — that’s why we’re here,” Erna told the crowd.

The setlist contained various fan favorites, including “Voodoo” and an encore of “Under Your Scars,” “Bulletproof” and “I Stand Alone.” Erna acknowledged that “two close brothers retired” in October 2024, referencing longtime Godsmack guitarist Tony Rombola and drummer Shannon Larkin, but emphasized there was “zero bad blood.”

“We started this band in 1995 — they wanted to be home with their families and loved ones and we honored and respected their decision,” he said.

He introduced the crowd to new guitarist Sam Koltun and drummer Wade Murff while thanking longtime bass player and Godsmack co-founder Robbie Merrill.

The two newcomers fit in seamlessly, with Koltun performing dynamic guitar riffs and Murff participating in that “drum off” with Erna. The band cycled through classics, including Aerosmith’s “Walk This Way” and AC/DC’s “Back In Black.”

Overall, the band sounded crisp and clean, reminiscent of their studio recordings.

Stone Temple Pilots began their set with the instantly recognizable a cappella opening of “Dead & Bloated” from their debut album, Core. But the band seems to still be suffering from the loss of lead singer Scott Weiland, who died of an accidental drug overdose in 2015.

While Jeff Gutt of X Factor fame has been the lead singer since 2017 (after the band’s short run with the late Linkin Park lead Chester Bennington), the band’s performance on this night lacked cohesion and heart.

Stone Temple Pilots fan Jadd Smith traveled in from Simpsonville, South Carolina, to see the band but said he was left disappointed by the band’s set.

“I grew up in the grunge era, so I came for them,” Smith said. “I couldn’t figure out who they are trying to be. Is Jeff trying to be Scott or is he going to be Jeff?”

Dorothy, the first opener of the night, brought glam rock to the table with “Bones” and “Raise Hell.” With her rich voice, rugged songwriting, and talented guitarist Nick Perri by her side, she was a little bit country and a little bit rock ‘n’ roll.

The Rise of the Rock tour continues in Raleigh on Saturday and the bands play throughout North America and Europe through September.

Godsmack setlist
Surrender
You and I
When Legends Rise
Cryin’ Like a Bitch!!
Straight Out of Line
Awake
Keep Away
Love-Hate-Sex-Pain
Voodoo
Batalla de Los Tambores
Whatever

Encore
Under Your Scars
Bulletproof
I Stand Alone

Stone Temple Pilots setlist
Dead & Bloated
Wicked Garden
Vasoline
Big Bang Baby
Down
Silvergun Superman
Big Empty
Plush
Interstate Love Song
Crackerman
Trippin’ on a Hole in a Paper Heart
Sex Type Thing

Dorothy setlist
Down to the Bottom
The Devil I Know
Raise Hell
After Midnight
Bones
Mud
Rest in Peace
Whiskey Fever
Dark Nights

Be sure to check out Queen City Nerve’s Soundwave, Charlotte’s most comprehensive live music listing, so you don’t miss out on any shows or concerts coming up. And hell, if you’re looking for something else to do, you can check out our events page as well, which runs the gamut of things to do in Charlotte. You don’t ever have to be bored again. You can check out more of Jeff’s pics and live reviews here.