Filter - Anthems For The Damned

It’s been a while since Filter’s last album The Amalgamut which was released in 2002. It’s been even longer since the more sustainable and better albums of Short Bus and Title of the Record. Now Short Bus and Title of the Record in my opinion were brilliant, they were what Filter was all about. Although Filter has never been anything original there has always been something special within these albums.

Anthems For The Damned is no exception. This album is perhaps once of the best albums Filter has released, no you know what... It is actually the best. It’s complex guitar rifts, heavy beats and of course Richard Patrick’s control of his vocals has done wonders for this album.

People have often criticized this album claiming it wasn’t Filter like. No, it is not exactly like the Filter many fans have associated with. This band has now matured into a more confident, well-rounded band which produces a fantastic new sound which I refuse to say sounds 30 Seconds to Mars-ish. In my opinion to compare a band like Filter to a band like 30 Seconds to Mars is insulting.

With musical help from musicians such as John 5 (ex Marilyn Manson), Josh Freese (Nine Inch Nails), and Wes Borland (Limp Bizkit, don’t let that fool you) it proves commitment and the right people can do wonders. This album doesn’t feel in the slightest bit rushed but feels like it has been looked after every step of the way, perfectionism in parts.

Filter’s new line-up well band whatever Patrick is calling them is as stated: new.
The current members are:
Richard Patrick – lead vocals, guitar
Mitchell Marlow – guitar
John Spiker – bass
Mika Fineo – drums, percussion

Recommended tracks I’d say are Soldiers of Misfortune, What’s Next, Cold, I Keep The Flowers Around, and Lie After Lie.

All I can ask is you don’t judge this band on Kerrang reviews. This band is very good and is recommended for fans of A Perfect Circle and Nine Inch Nails. 30 Seconds to Mars fans might enjoy it but I refuse to admit they sound anything too close to them and I mean no offense to 30 Seconds to Mars fans when I say that. And anyway if they did sound like 30 Seconds to Mars the radio would actually play them.

If you’ve never heard of this band then I say get hearing! Go on You Tube and look them up and listen to a few songs, try before you buy sort of thing. But I’m sure after a few songs you’ll be clawing at this album. I know I was.

I'd give this album a fair 5 stars of 5 but this is from a fans point of view. To people who enjoy more poppier sounds or more mainstream, or perhaps are even brand new to Filter then I'd say a four at least.. But you decide, however in my eyes it's a five.