Boston rockers Godsmack have parted ways with drummer Tommy Stewart,

according to the band's manager, who described the split as amicable.

"Tommy is a great guy and a tremendous drummer," singer Sully Erna said in a

statement. "We wish him all the success in the world. ... He deserves it."

A replacement for Stewart, who will pursue other musical interests, has yet

to be named. Meanwhile the band continues to work on its third full-length

album, the follow-up to 2000's Awake, which the group hopes to

release next year.

Stewart is one of the band's founding members, along with Erna, guitarist

Tony Rambola and bassist Robbie Merrill. He left the band briefly in 1997

and was replaced by Joe D'Arco, but he returned to record 1998's self-titled

major-label debut.