On Dec. 1, the Boston-based alternative hard-rock band Godsmack will make its triumphant return to the Bryce Jordan Center, touring behind the release of its newest studio album.

Tickets will be on sale today at noon.

The last time the band played at Penn State was in 2001 with other alternative rock bands, including Staind, Cold and Systematic.

This time around, the band is touring behind its fourth studio album, cleverly titled IV. The album was released in late April and debuted at number one on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart.

It was certified gold two months after its release.

Bernie Punt, director of public relations for the Bryce Jordan Center, said he is excited to have the band return.

"We haven't had a hard rock band at the BJC for a few years," he said.

Punt said he is also excited that the BJC was able to get the band for a Friday evening so more people will attend. In that vein, Punt said he is not at all worried that Godsmack's non-conventional sound may affect the turnout for the concert. By checking various social network sites on the Internet, such as Myspace.com and Facebook.com, Punt feels there are enough people interested in this area to have a good turnout.

The band is widely known for its elaborate shows involving pyrotechnics and video, and this tour shouldn't be any different.

Carlo Pugliano (sophomore-business administration) will be attending the concert with his brother and a few other friends.

"I bought the new album the first day it came out. It's pretty amazing," Pugliano said.

He has seen the band four times and said he expects that the band will play a lot of new material this time around.

Garrett Ackman (sophomore-division of undergraduate studies) sampled the new album and was not a big fan, but he said he is excited to see them regardless.

"I've seen them before, and they put on a good show," he said.

Tickets are available at the Bryce Jordan Ticket Center, the HUB-Robeson Center, Eisenhower Auditorium and online at www.bjc.psu.edu.