Godsmack drum battle | Up for GRAMMY votes

A drum battle in the GRAMMY submissions? That doesn’t happen every year.

Godsmack have put “Battle of the Drums” forward for two GRAMMYs, as Drumming News Network reported on 11 October. That’s the drum duel between Sully Erna and Shannon Larkin from the band’s Live at Mohegan Sun concert film.

It’s a submission, not a nomination. Still, it raises a good question. Why does a drum duel still land with a crowd? Let’s find out.

What has been submitted?

Three entries, all from Live at Mohegan Sun:

• Best Music Film – the film itself.
• Best Rock Performance – “Battle of the Drums”.
• Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella – “Battle of the Drums”, arranged by Sully Erna.

The film features Erna and Larkin, with the drum showcase as its centrepiece. The concert was recorded at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut in October 2024. Erna and Larkin play it on two full kits, and Erna says the pair spent decades refining it.

When will we know?

Soon. The Recording Academy’s first round of voting opens today, 12 October, and runs to 22 October. That round decides the nominees, which are announced on 16 November. The ceremony is on 7 February 2027.

Until then, it stays a submission. A huge number of recordings are entered every year, and most don’t make the shortlist.

Why does a drum duel still work?

Drum solos get a bad press. For a lot of fans, they’re the moment to go to the bar.

A duel is different. There’s a conversation going on. One player sets up an idea, the other answers it, and the crowd picks a side. It’s call and response, and that’s as old as drumming.

There’s theatre, too. Two kits facing off are a spectacle before anyone plays a note. Big-band drummers knew that decades ago, and you can see the same pull in the cheering at Guitar Center’s Drum-Off.

The arrangement submission is the most interesting part for us. It treats the duel as composed music, not a free-for-all. It has to be arranged, too. A battle that’s all chops gets tiring fast; one with themes and dynamics keeps people listening.

Even Neil Peart was a fan. The campaign video uses archival comments from the late Rush drummer, and he said the duel was “rewarding” just to watch as a spectacle. That’s high praise from a man known for his own epic solos.

Can I own it on vinyl?

Yes, if you’re quick. A limited 12-inch picture disc with “Battle of the Drums” and “I Stand Alone” is coming for Record Store Day Black Friday, on 27 November 2026. It’ll only be sold through participating independent record shops.

Final thoughts

A drum duel in the GRAMMY submissions is a lovely thing to see, and the arrangement entry treats it as real music, not a gimmick. Just remember it’s a long way from submission to nomination.

We’ll know on 16 November. Meanwhile, catch up on the year’s other big drum stories.