Godsmack

The “we’re not” metalheads play UK dates in November.

Formed 23 years ago in Massachusetts, Godsmack have amassed 20 million album sales. Frontman/guitarist Sully Erna, 50, explains why the metalheads have calmed things down a notch or two with their new album, When Legends Rise.

Seven albums into the band’s career,

When Legends Rise reveals a growth and maturing of the Godsmack sound.

As a band we’ve been around for quite a while, and musically and as individuals all of us have changed. This record is a reflection of that evolution. However, I never considered us a metal band – that would be disrespectful to the likes of Slayer and Megadeth. We always rode that line.

Classic Rock’s review said: “Godsmack are no longer trying to compete with the younger, tougher bands.”

I get the point, but I don’t really look at music as a competition in any sense. There’s a lot of bands out there and we all should all be rooting for one another.

Does the new album show you as a more positive, confident artist? Things got quite bleak in the past.

Definitely. The first album came out a long time ago. You can’t stay that young, angry kid who’s mad at life. I’m a dad with a seventeen-year-old daughter. How can I scream, whine and complain?

There must have been some resistance from long-term fans of the band?

We expected the worst, but our fans are also evolving and that makes things easier. The fans we had twenty years ago now have children of their own. Where I’d like to go in the future is to be known for writing really good songs.

From 2003, Faceless, IV and The Oracle all topped the US chart, 1000hp went to No.3,

When Legends Rise was a Top 10 album. That’s a very slight downward trend. Do you pay much attention to stats?

I did at one point. But it could really offset my moods, so I stopped reading interviews and reviews and I don’t pore over the chart any more. I’m not stupid, and I know this could all end tomorrow. Some cool young band will eventually come along and take our place, so I just try to enjoy my career and live in the moment. DL

The tour begins in Birmingham on November 4.