Filter - Anthems For The Damned Review

Posted by Dan Marsicano on 05.15.2008

Filter returns with their first new album in six years. Can Anthems For The Damned be a worthy follow up to The Amalgamut and help the band to get back in the mainstream's attention?

The Band

Richard Patrick-Vocals, Guitar, Bass
Guest Musicians- John 5, Wes Borland, Josh Freese, Rae DiLeo, Ryan Williams, Josh Abraham, and Luke Walker


The Track Listing

1. Soldiers of Misfortune-4:25
2. What’s Next-3:34
3. The Wake-3:56
4. Cold (Anthem For The Damned)-3:45
5. Hatred Is Contagious-4:25
6. Lie After Lie-3:45
7. Kill The Day-3:31
8. The Take-3:16
9. I Keep Flowers Around-4:26
10. In Dreams-3:51
11. Only You-4:40
12. Can Stop This-5:55





The Review

It has been six years since Filter’s last album, The Amalgamut, was released and a lot has happened in the band since then. Frontman Richard Patrick went into rehab, the band went on hiatus, Patrick formed rock super group Army of Anyone, which released an album and broke up in less than two years’ time, and Filter reunited, with Patrick being the only member to return. It’s not a big deal though; Patrick basically started the band by himself (with help from Brian Liesegang).

Anthems For The Damned is an album that, like its predecessors, isn’t content with playing one style of music. You have many different musical styles constantly clashing with one another. One song will be a heavier affair with a industrial feel to it, only for the next song to be a mid-paced acoustic romper. Patrick keeps the listener on their toes with every new song.

If there was one song that would represent the album’s musical direction, it would be current single “Soldiers of Misfortune.” The song is critical of the war overseas, while being pro-troops at the same time. A steady guitar riff, augmented by an acoustic track in the background, drives the main melody, with a slight edge to it in the chorus. It’s a great track and a nice opener to the album.

Any doubt that Filter has gone “soft” or “mellow” is quickly dissolved with the back to back hard rockers “What’s Next,” co-written with guitarist John 5, and “The Wake". Both tracks conjure up memories of the duo tracks “My Long Walk To Jail” and “So I Quit.” off of The Amalgamut. Thankfully, Patrick puts more intelligent lyrics into “What’s Next” and “The Wake” and tones down the profanity a great deal. Sorry, Filter fans, that means no “MOTHER FUCKERRRRR!” screamed loudly followed by excessively coughing.

The album is mostly a more mid-paced affair, with an extra emphasis on atmosphere and melodies. The acoustic guitar is used to great effect, especially in the middle of the album. Some of you may cry about the fact that Patrick is trying to replicate the success of “Take A Picture,” but its more than that. It’s a natural progression for Patrick to tone down the heaviness and focus on solid songwriting.

Patrick succeeds throughout Anthems For The Damned in this aspect, as the songs all progress naturally and most have their memorable moments. Just a few include the infectious chorus to “Kill The Day” (it’ll have you singing out loud, trust me) and the pulse-pounding metal anthem “The Take,” which is a quick blast of metal that just grabs you by the throat and tightens its grip on you, then brings an melodic, acoustic breakdown that gives the listener a false impression of a calm and smooth ending before speeding to the finish line.

The last quarter of the album is where the sum of all the musical parts comes together. From the opening bass line of “I Keep Flowers Around” to the acoustic "Only You,” the listener will be enthralled with what Patrick brings to the table. These three songs are some of the best songs that Patrick has ever written and show a mature side of Patrick, not only lyrically, but vocally as well. The only disappointment is that instrumental “Can Stop This” is a lackluster end to a great album. However, it’s way better than The Amalgamut's last track “The 4th.” Some of the tracks are also guilty of sounding similar to each other, with the title track through “Lie After Lie” being the most noticeable.

Anthems For The Damned is an album that may not hit you the first time. I know it didn’t for me. I though, at first, it was a decent album, but nothing special. Like many albums I’ve grown to enjoy, Anthems For The Damned took a few listens to digest. Those are the best types of album though; the ones that take their time to really leave an impression on you. Hardcore Filter fans will love this album, as it has all the best qualities of the past three albums. Some of you may find the politically charged lyrics to be distracting and may cry fowl at Patrick being “just another musician trying to be all political.” However, I think it shows a more mature side of Patrick, one that cares about the world around him. Hell, Patrick has been writing lyrics like this for years (at least he’s getting better at it. Remember “World Today?” Enough said). In the end, I thoroughly enjoyed Anthems For The Damned and hope that it doesn’t take another six years to hear from Filter again.

The 411: Anthems For The Damned is a more mature and consistent effort than The Amalgamut was. While it isn't as good as Short Bus or Title of Record, it's an album that has Patrick letting his soul out for the world to see. Anthems For The Damned is meant to be listened to more than once and not something you can just put on as background noise. It is an album that demands your attention and, with patience, will prove to be a satisfying listen. It's isn't perfect, but it's a damn good rock album and one that can hopefully get Filter back in the mainstream spotlight, where they belong.

Final Score:  8.0   [ Very Good ]