Godsmack - Live At Mohegan Sun
I have not paid much attention to Godsmack in a long time, probably since they released The Other Side back in 2009. There was a time when this was a big band in my life, their 1998 self-titled debut was one of the first few nu metal albums I bought, and "Whatever" was the first MP3 I ever downloaded. (Yes, it was over a dial-up Internet connection — I am old.)
For all their flaws, I've always felt Godsmack were a solid band making a lot of fun, heavy tunes. Nothing groundbreaking, and very much in the vein of Alice In Chains — a band they are absolutely not inspired by, and whose song "God Smack" is a mere coincidence — but that's not inherently a bad thing.
That said, 3 full-length albums and an acoustic EP is all I needed from these guys. They went on to release a string of radio hits, tour relentlessly, and build an incredibly big brand. I saw them open for Metallica back in late 2004, and they put on an amazing show. Sully Erna has always come across as a bit of dumbass, but the man knows how to put on a show.
Live albums feel like they've been reduced to novelty status these days, so I'm more interested when bands release them than I used to be. Live At The Mohegan Sun does a good job conveying what I think is the authentic Godsmack live experience. Even the songs I was not familiar with — which was quite a few — sounded good, and consistent enough with everything they've ever released that I don't feel like I missed anything in the intervening 17 years.
It's tough to evaluate live records, given the prevalence of backing tracks and triggered drums, notwithstanding the potential for studio touch-ups. That being said, this album feels genuine. This isn't virtuoso material, it's chugging hard rock about ambiguous betrayals and constantly reminding people to keep away. If anything, the material feels noticeably thinner without the heavily compressed studio production. All of the songs fit together, and the no-frills nature of the performances lends them a lot more credibility.
I did find it very funny that the show opens with Sully really working the concept that this is the band's last show ever. It's a theme he returns to near the end of the album too, on "Under the Scars." As of writing this review, the band has a 32 date tour plotted out and Sully has already said there is a new album coming, featuring a new drummer and guitarist. Musicians and pro fighters continue to render the word 'retirement' largely meaningless.
As for the album, if at any point in your life you liked some Godsmack songs, then this is worth a listen. It's not going to change anyone's mind on the band, but that's a weird expectation for a live album anyway — it's a greatest hits package with a gimmick. Personally, I enjoyed listening to the older material, and also hit my Godsmack quota for the next 18 months or so. I grade live albums on a curve, but I will say this one is on the upper end. There are no big surprises, no guests or deep cuts; it's good but not great.
PUBLISHED: 2026-05-02