GODSMACK's ERNA: We Want To Follow In Footsteps Of AEROSMITH And METALLICA

GODSMACK frontman Sully Erna and drummer Shannon Larkin recently spoke to MTV News about the group's decision to change the name of their upcoming disc to "Faceless" from the originally-planned "Releasing the Demons".

" 'Faceless' just seems timeless," Larkin said. "It will stand up later on. It's not as cheesy."

"Plus, it has a split identity," added Erna. "Even though we've had success and we're slowly climbing up that ladder, we remain a little bit under the radar, so the band is still a bit faceless compared to the 'N SYNCs and super pop bands. Hopefully this band will follow the steps of great bands like AEROSMITH and METALLICA that just built their army over the years and had stability and didn't just shoot up the charts and go away after an album. That's what we're hoping to establish with the third album."

"Straight Out of Line", the first single off "Faceless", will go for radio adds on Feb. 4, with the full-length to follow in April. According to the band, "Straight Out of Line" follows in the tradition of previous GODSMACK favorites, featuring a tactful blend of bruising intensity and hum-along hooks without sounding forced or overly polished.

"I don't think we've ever written intending for it to be a radio hit or video or things like that," Erna said. "We just write what's in our hearts and our souls, and I think because most of us have such a heavy background being raised on bands like BLACK SABBATH, LED ZEPPELIN and JIMI HENDRIX, what's inside of us is a little bit more aggressive than [what's inside] people who were raised on classical or jazz or things like that. So, when better hooks or melodies come, it's a blessing because a lot of bands that write really heavy stuff don't ever have the opportunity to shine because it's not radio-friendly most of the time."