GODSMACK Premiere “Battle of the Drums” Live Video, new album ‘Live at Mohegan Sun,’ out now

LOS ANGELES, CA – Today, Godsmack unveil the long‑awaited video for “Battle of the Drums,” the band’s iconic percussion showcase and one of the most celebrated moments in their three‑decade career. Driven by overwhelming fan demand, the video arrives as the latest highlight from their new album Live at Mohegan Sun, a thunderous, career‑spanning performance that captures the band’s unmatched live chemistry and the full weight of a legacy built across 20 million albums sold, 27 Top 10 singles, and 13 No. 1 hits. With its explosive energy and emotional resonance, Live at Mohegan Sun stands as both a celebration of the band’s history and a bold step into their next chapter—available now via Primary Wave HERE.

Live at Mohegan Sun continues to build momentum, with the album’s first single, the live version of “When Legends Rise,” newly debuting on the Active Rock Radio charts—marking the first time a live track has done so since 2020. The achievement underscores the deep connection between Godsmack and their audience, as fans have rallied around the band’s live recordings—long regarded as the purest expression of their sound—and propelled them into rare air at rock radio. Watch/share the official “When Legends Rise” live single HERE and video HERE.

Frontman Sully Erna calls the “Battle of the Drums”—a live spectacle perfected over decades—one of the night’s most meaningful moments. “It’s an intricate piece. Me and Shannon have worked on it for decades and really perfected it into a spectacle.” He continues, “Live at Mohegan Sun captures a moment we’ll always carry with us—the energy, the connection, and the gratitude we feel for the fans who’ve taken this journey with us. Releasing this album as we launch the Rise of Rock World Tour feels powerful. It honors where we’ve been while pushing us forward into what’s next.”

Watch/share the video for Godsmack’s “Battle of the Drums” WATCH HERE.

“Battle of the Drums” has long been a defining moment of Godsmack’s live show, originating in the mid‑1990s when founder Sully Erna was still behind the kit and evolving into a full‑scale rhythmic duel after Shannon Larkin joined the band. What began as Erna playing congas alongside early drummers grew into a high‑octane spectacle featuring two full drum kits, rotating risers, and a display of precision and power that earned admiration across the rock world—including praise from Rush legend Neil Peart. Now immortalized on Live at Mohegan Sun, the performance stands as one of the film’s most emotional highlights, showcasing the rare chemistry between Erna and Larkin and serving as a tribute to the classic lineup of Erna, Larkin, Tony Rombola, and Robbie Merrill. Widely considered a fan‑favorite centerpiece of the band’s live set, its official release arrives in direct response to years of audience demand, giving fans the chance to relive one of Godsmack’s most electrifying moments again and again.

The premiere of “Battle of the Drums” arrives at a pivotal moment for Godsmack as they kick off the Rise of Rock World Tour, returning to the stage today at Welcome to Rockville in Daytona Beach, FL for the tour’s opening strike before the headlining amphitheater run begins May 10 in Bristow, VA with Stone Temple Pilots and Dorothy joining select dates. With major festival appearances including Sonic Temple, and Rocklahoma, a deep catalog powering their setlists, and Live at Mohegan Sun reinforcing their reputation as one of hard rock’s most formidable live acts, Godsmack step into a new era on the road with revitalized momentum—channeling three decades of success into a touring year that promises to be one of the biggest of their career.