Sully Erna (whose birth name Salvatore Paul Erna) is best known for being the lead vocalist (as well as songwriter and guitar player) with the hard rock band, Godsmack, which started its life in 1996 as a tribute band for Alice In Chains.

The band were a big influence on Godsmack, and Sully said after the death of the band's lead singer, Layne Stale, that he “was single-handedly the guy that got me to start singing".

Alice In Chain's influence is clear on Godsmack's sound. Sully vocal style has frequently been compared to Layne Staley's, the sound of Godsmack's first two albums sounds similar to Alice's "Dirt". But it doesn't just end there: the two band's logos look alike, and Goldsmack have an album called "Faceless", which sounds similar to the title of Alice's "Facelift" debut album.

Plus many fans believe the band took their name from the Alice In Chains song “God Smack”, from their album "Dirt". However, looking to be known on their own merits, Godsmack have recently started to distance themselves from Alice In Chains, including offering another explanation for the band's name.

They say it comes from when they were in the studio with their original drummer, Jo, came in with a cold sore on his face and Sully was laughing at him for this. The next done when they came in, Jo's cold sore had gone but Sully had one in the exact same place. The other band members said that Sully got “God smacked” for being mean to Jo, and the name Godsmack has stuck with the band ever since.

As well as Alice In Chains, the band have said they draw influence from legendary acts including Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, Rush, and Black Sabbath.

The band's greatest achievements so far include earning a 2002 Grammy nomination for Best Rock Instrumental Performance" for the song "Vampires" from the album "Awake" and opening live shows for Metallica.

Godsmack have notched up impressive record sales, with their "Faceless" album reaching the number one spot on the US Billboard Chart and going platinum, their self-titled album turning five-times platinum and their "Awake" album going double platinum.

Fans are hotly anticipating their new album, which will be called "IV".