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Over ten years on the road have earned Boston's brutal rockers Godsmack the respect of the hardcore community. So many rock bands start off loud and fast, but then mellow out as they age, ending up with weak records of "melodic anthems" and a modeling deal with the Gap. But not Godsmack. These guys are soldiers. One way that Godsmack keeps it sharp is by not overdoing it. No one will ever call the band "prolific." During the first decade of their career, they have released only four full-length albums, a pretty small number compared to many bands who make a point of recording an album every year. However, constant touring has kept Godsmack in touch with their devoted fans. And a Godsmack show is an event worth catching; the band successfully translates their disenfranchised rage into a live performance that feels like a force of nature. Godsmack haven't changed their sound too much either. Most of their songs began with a sludgy, grunge-like groove and build up with a series of crashing hooks, all over singer Sully Erna's bitter, recriminating lyrics. Godsmack formed when the Boston hardcore fixture Sully Erna decided to step away from the drum set-an instrument he'd mastered over 23 years-and get his own band going. Erna then contacted fellow scenesters, bassist Robbie Merrill and guitarist Tommy Stuart. They had originally intended to exist exclusively as an Alice In Chains cover band (hence the name, according to some sources) but the band members got along so well that they decided to work on original material. Godsmack got their biggest break when one of their early albums made it into the hands of a local DJ and the legendary Massachusetts record store Newbury Comics agreed to sell their DIY album. With heavy radio play of the tracks "Keep Away" and "Whatever", the band caught on big time. Since then, Godsmack has sold over 10 million albums and toured the world to sell-out crowds.

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