Godsmack took it to 1000 Horsepower with STP and Dorothy
On Tuesday, September 15, the hard rock/metal band Godsmack brought their 2026 Rise of The Rock World Tour to the North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre in Chula Vista, CA. The show had a stacked lineup, featuring not only Godsmack but also two fantastic opening acts: Dorothy and Stone Temple Pilots. Godsmack has undergone several significant changes as a band over the last few years; their 2023 album, Lighting Up the Sky, was billed as their last album of all-new material, and longtime guitarist Tony Rombola and drummer Shannon Larkin have retired from touring. However, guitarist Sam Koltun, formerly of the band Dorothy, has recently joined the band, as did legendary former Dream Theater drummer Mike Mangini, who stepped in for this tour alongside core members Sully Erna and Robbie Merrill. The band’s newest members certainly seem to have brought some new energy to the group, and the show was full throttle throughout.
Opening act Dorothy was a fantastic surprise to experience live, with frontwoman Dorothy Martin being an absolute commanding presence onstage. Her soulful and powerful vocal style fit immensely well with the hard-rocking music of her talented bandmates. The music mixed hard rock, blues, and beautiful vocal melodies, making for a great set. Unfortunately, the band did not get a very long opening slot, but catching them again for a headline show will now be a mission. Some highlights of the short but sweet setlist included songs like “The Devil I Know,” “After Midnight,” “Dark Nights,” and “Elevate“.
Up next were ’90s rock legends Stone Temple Pilots, and they started their set with a bang. Opening with three hits back-to-back, the band thrilled the North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre fans with “Dead & Bloated,” “Wicked Garden,” and “Vasoline“. This powerful start led to a fantastic and well-crafted set of music featuring tons of memorable riffs. The current lineup of Stone Temple Pilots features founding instrumentalists Dean DeLeo (guitar), Robert DeLeo (bass), and Eric Kretz (drums), alongside lead vocalist Jeff Gutt. Original frontman Scott Weiland tragically passed away from an accidental drug overdose in December 2015, paving the way for Gutt to officially step in as the band’s permanent lead singer in November 2017. The band sounds absolutely fantastic these days and was a blast to see live. They easily have the hits and the talent to headline a show like this, so seeing them open for Godsmack was a treat.
Godsmack headlined this awesome show, and they did not disappoint. Vocalist and guitarist Sully Erna was as powerful an entertainer as ever, with years of touring experience showing in his every move onstage. Sully just knows how to engage and energize a rock and roll crowd like this, and it was amazing to see the mood in the whole amphitheatre shift into a higher gear for this final set as the excitement built. New guitarist Sam Koltun was a fierce addition to the group; his solos and guitar mastery fit in well, and he seemed to already be a comfortable member of this seemingly tight-knit touring family. Bassist Robbie Merrill was engaging and funny while laying down the low end for the band. He always has fun during his performances, posing and engaging with everyone near his side of the stage. Lastly, but certainly not least, the new addition on drums, Mike Mangini, was incredible. His powerful drumming is well known in the music world, and he brought new flavor and different drum fills to some of the band’s most memorable songs; it was really fun to hear some of them in a new way. The band played a great fifteen-song setlist that included all their biggest hits like “Straight Out of Line,” “Awake,” and “I Stand Alone“. Godsmack’s lineup changes may have increased the band’s ability to continue playing live and entertaining all of their fans for years to come, and it’s awesome that their music will continue to entertain heavy music lovers here in San Diego and all over the world.
