Importance of being Erna: Godsmack star talks ‘Avalon’

Erna, a 43-year-old Lawrence -native, is so pleased with the performance that he’s filming the Wilbur show — in 3-D no less — for a DVD. The concert is also slated to air on Palladia, a cable music channel that ran a documentary about the making of the album “Avalon.”

The disc — Erna’s solo debut — is brooding, introspective and often hypnotic. Driven by cellos, acoustic guitars, choral chants and gorgeous piano melodies, the project also features ethereal vocals from Lisa Guyer and tribal percussion from Dead Can Dance’s Niall Gregory.

“It was very refreshing to see people get it. It really translated to people,” Erna said. “Every night, there were people in the audience with tissues, wiping tears from their face. Other times, it was more of an uplifting vibe, and it was powerful and showed the power of music and what it can do when it’s presented the proper way.”

The national buzz and DVD filming resulted in a quick sellout for the hometown show, but Erna said a limited number of tickets will be released to fans of his website, SullyErna.com.

As for Godsmack, the Massachusetts-based hard rockers are heading back to the studio in January to mix a live disc and record a handful of cover songs that Erna says “inspired us along the way.” A spring tour with fellow Bay State rockers Staind also is on tap.

“It’s nice to touch people on a musical and emotional level,” he said. “I have a lot of energy, and I’m looking forward to getting it out there.”

Sully Erna’s “Avalon,” at the Wilbur Theatre, tomorrow at 8 p.m., sold out. A limited number of tickets are available for fans at SullyErna.com.