Ex-Dream Theater and Extreme drummer Mike Mangini has joined Godsmack following the abrupt departure of Wade Murff, who had just joined the band this year.
Mangini made his stage debut with Godsmack on Friday, June 12th, in Riverside, Missouri, just six days after Murff’s departure on June 6th to join gothic rockers Black Veil Brides on tour.
Mike Mangini and Sully Erna both are natives of Massachusetts, which was noted by Mangini in a statement he made on Instagram on the evening of his first show with the hard rock band. Mangini said:
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.
Wade Murff’s surprising departure comes just over a month after his live debut with the hard rock band on May 8th. In Heavy Consequence‘s recent interview with Erna, the singer had given high praise to Murff, telling us the following:
“[Former Godsmack drummer] Shannon [Larkin]’s a tough one to replace. He’s the GOAT behind the drums. But this guy, Wade, he’s got some chops and he is a strong, strong, visually strong player. … They [Wade Murff and new guitarist Sam Koltun] are being brought in permanently, and we’ll give them the opportunity to bring in ideas, to record on the records. And if they can pull their own weight, then great. If not, we’ll have to reconsider some things. But I don’t see a problem with these two guys. They’re really good players. They’re top level players.”
Godsmack are currently on tour in North America with support from Stone Temple Pilots and Dorothy. Get tickets here.
Mangini had spent 13 years in Dream Theater, but exited the veteran prog-metal act when original drummer Mike Portnoy returned to the band in 2023. He has since formed the band Monolith.
Watch Mike Mangini play with Godsmack at his live debut with the band, including a drum battle with Erna, and see his full Instagram post below.
