In February of 1995, after being behind the drums for more than 23 years, Sully Erna decided to start a new band as a lead singer.

Sully Erna, Robbie Merrill and Tony Rombola soon joined together and hit the studio, recording their first CD titled ALL WOUND UP. For the next two years, the band played throughout the Boston area with drummer Joe Darco and began earning a strong reputation and following. Eventually their CD landed in the hands of a DJ for WAAF, a Boston radio station. WAAF put "Keep Away" into heavy rotation and it quickly soared to the #1 spot at the station. Newbury Comics, a New England record store chain, agreed to sell the CD on consignment and the grind continued. Shortly after the success of "Keep Away" Godsmack went back into the studio and recorded a single titled "Whatever", which became the new local favorite on WAAF.

In the summer of 1998, Republic/Universal Records signed the band to a contract. Joe Darco was replaced by Tommy Stewart, and ALL WOUND UP was re-mastered. The finished self-titled debut CD GODSMACK hit the shelves 6 weeks later, leading to the bands first headlining tour, "The Voodoo Tour".