Godsmack Brings 'The Rise of Rock' Tour to Anaheim's Honda Center
Godsmack brought decades of Hard Rock energy to the Honda Center with ‘The Rise of Rock’ Tour, delivering a night packed with fan favorites, massive guitar riffs, pounding drums, and plenty of mosh-pit mayhem. The tour features Stone Temple Pilots and Dorothy as special guests, giving Southern California fans an evening built around three generations of Rock energy. From the moment Godsmack took the stage, fans filled the venue, ready to sing along to songs that have defined the band's career.
35 Years of Godsmack — And Still Loud
The night also served as a reminder of just how long Godsmack has been part of the hard-rock landscape. The band traces its beginnings back to 1995, when founding members started making music largely for fun before realizing they had something bigger on their hands. What began as a passion project eventually grew into one of Hard Rock's most recognizable bands. During the show, the story behind one of the band's earliest pieces of equipment also came up. Back when the band was starting out, a guitar was purchased from a pawn shop for just $85. That guitar would go on to be used in the creation of the band's first self-titled album, ‘Godsmack,’ which was released on August 25, 1998. This guitar became part of the story behind Godsmack's early sound.
The band's long history was especially apparent in the crowd, where longtime fans stood alongside a much younger generation discovering the music for themselves.
“AI Can't Replace Live Concerts”
The crowd wasn't just made up of fans who had been following Godsmack since the 1990s. The lead singer pointed out that there were plenty of young fans in attendance, including fans as young as 13 years old. Their presence highlighted the continued reach of live hard rock and the way songs recorded decades ago can still connect with a new generation. He also shared his thoughts on the future of live music and artificial intelligence, emphasizing that AI can't replace the experience of a live concert. And judging by the reaction inside the venue, the audience wasn't there for a digital substitute. They were there for the real thing — loud guitars, live drums, screaming vocals and the shared energy between a band and thousands of fans.
From Fan Favorites to Full-On Mayhem
Godsmack's set leaned heavily into the songs fans came to hear, creating plenty of opportunities for the audience to sing, jump and move along with the band. The energy extended from the floor throughout the arena as fans danced and moshed in the pit. Godsmack shirts were everywhere, with longtime supporters proudly representing the band as the music blasted through the venue. For a Rock band with more than three decades of history, the performance demonstrated that its music still has the power to turn an arena into a fun-filled celebration.
Godsmack's Epic Drum Battles
One of the night's most entertaining moments came when the singer and drummer went head-to-head in a series of drum battles. The performances transformed the stage into a showcase of musicianship and personality, with the pair trading rhythms and playing recognizable cover songs. The battles included songs associated with legendary rock acts such as AC/DC and Aerosmith, giving the crowd a chance to hear familiar classics through Godsmack's signature live-performance style.
The drummer's credentials made the spectacle even more impressive. A longtime friend of the band, Mike Mangini, the drummer of Dream Theater, has earned legendary status in the world of Hard Rock and Heavy Rock music through his work as one of the most technically accomplished drummers in the genre. Meanwhile, guitarist Sam Bam Koltun added another layer of guitar-driven intensity to the performance.
The drum battles weren't simply an intermission between songs — they became one of the night's memorable highlights, giving the musicians room to showcase their chemistry and technical abilities while keeping the audience engaged.
Rock Isn't Dead — Godsmack Proved It
At Honda Center, Godsmack offered a convincing reminder of why the live concert experience remains so powerful. The audience ranged from longtime fans who have followed the band since its early days to teenagers experiencing Godsmack for the first time. Fans sang along, danced, moshed and raised their phones as the band delivered a set rooted in the music that helped establish its place in Hard Rock. Thirty-five years after those early days of making music for fun, Godsmack continues to bring that music to audiences around the country.
‘The Rise of Rock’ World Tour isn't simply a celebration of Godsmack's past. With Stone Temple Pilots and Dorothy joining the tour, it represents a broader celebration of Rock music — from the classics that inspired generations to the younger fans keeping the live concert experience alive. And judging by the energy in the room, it isn't going anywhere anytime soon.
Coverage by Veronica Potes // Instagram: @veropoteart
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