\"We tried to strip everything down on this record. On the \'Faceless\' record, we beat that record into the ground, man. I knew every single cymbal I was going to hit and when I was going to hit it by the time I went into the studio. But on this one, man, we made an effort to try not to over-rehearse. We wanted it to be more organic. That\'s one of the reasons we picked Andy Johns. He\'s worked with a lot of organic bands.\"

Godsmack singer Sully Erna is also a drummer. Asked if that fact keeps him on his toes, Shannon Larkin replies:

\"Well, it is what it is. I’ve known Sully now for many, many years. I think in ’82 or ’83 we met. His band was opening for my band and he was the drummer at the time. We’ve always had mutual respect for each other. By the time Godsmack got signed, he asked me to join the band and I had already joined this band in L.A. called Amen just before he called me and said, “We’ve got a deal with Universal. Will you join?” So, it doesn’t push me really because I just always pushed myself playing the drums.\"

Other topics include the band’s evolution, acoustic albums, and the drum battles between Shannon and Sully during live shows. Read the entire interview at Live-Metal.net.