On a beautiful Saturday night, the Boston-based rock band Godsmack brought their latest road run called the Best of Times World Tour, to Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow, Virginia.

After mounting fan anticipation on July 22, the curtain dropped and a massive wall of sparks erupted all over the stage and Godsmack roared into their first song of the evening, “When Legends Rise”- a most appropriate way for this legendary band to begin their show.

The band followed that song up with a venomous “Cryin’ Like a Bitch” from their fifth album, 2010’s The Oracle, with bassist Robbie Merrill laying down thunderous bass lines while stalking the stage, from side to side.

The blazing “1000hp” was next for the Boston quartet and throughout the song, the stage was lit up by massive fireballs that almost certainly singed the hair of the fans up front. Tony Rombola’s shrieking guitar solo definitely brought to mind a high horsepower hot rod rolling down the quarter mile.

When Sully introduced “Soul on Fire” from their newest album, he thanked the fans for making that song the latest chart-topper for the band. Next up was the blistering “Something Different,” a standout from the 1000HP album.

Between songs, Sully mentioned a few times that he had been drinking tequila and was feeling pretty good as the crowd roared their approval.

Later in the show, Sully told the stage crew to turn off all the stage lights. He then encouraged all of the men in the crowd to hoist their women up on their shoulders and for everyone to light up the place with their cell phones. The whole crowd complied and it gave the venue a truly magical glow.

The middle of the set was made up of a trio of songs; “What About Me,” the bruising rocker “Awake,” and “Bulletproof” from 2018’s When Legends Rise.

Watch the official music video for “Bulletproof” by Godsmack on YouTube:

After the band played their 1999 hit “Voodoo,” a second drum kit was driven, via remote control, from backstage onto the main stage. It was the time of the evening for Sully and drummer Shannon Larkin to perform their famous “Batalla de los Tambores,” where both performers challenge each other to a drum off to showcase their skills (Sully started his musical career as a drummer, before moving to the front of the stage as the lead singer). Since it’s early in the tour, tonight’s battle had plenty of dropped drumsticks and laughs between Sully and Shannon as they busted each others balls. The two were having fun and it showed!

When the band finished playing the song “Whatever,” another monster hit from their debut album, confetti cannons blasted away and showered the crowd with a massive amount of blue and white pieces of paper. The crowd roared their approval and the party was well and truly underway!

Next song was “Surrender,” the lead single from Godsmack’s latest album, 2023’s “Lighting Up The Sky.” When the song ended, the house lights dimmed and the band left the stage, to screams and chanting.

After a very short pause, Godsmack returned to the stage and finished out the night with a two song encore of “Under Your Scars” and the powerful “I Stand Alone”.

After 25 years, Godsmack will still rock your face off!

Setlist:

When Legends Rise
Cryin’ Like A Bitch!
1000HP
You and I
Soul on Fire
Something Different
What About Me
Awake
Bulletproof
Voodoo
Batalla de Los Tambores
Whatever
Surrender

Encore:

Under Your Scars
I Stand Alone

Here are some photos of Godsmack performing at Jiffy Lube Live on July 22, 2023. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Michael Sprouse.