Richard Patrick has had enough. The mastermind behind Filter's fourth album, Anthems for the Damned, its first in five years since The Amalgamut, is what Patrick calls his "howl in the night," a harsh indictment of civilization that doesn't exclude himself from its vision of a world falling apart. Featuring such collaborators as guitarist/songwriter John 5 (Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie), guitarist Wes Borland (Limp Bizkit) and drummer Josh Freese (A Perfect Circle, Nine Inch Nails, Guns N' Roses, the Vandals), Anthems for the Damned was produced by Pulse Recording's Josh Abraham (Slayer, 30 Seconds to Mars, Velvet Revolver, Staind, Courtney Love). That combination of classic-rock melodies and industrial heavy metal has been part of Patrick's music from the very start, when the Ohio native first shared his musical theories with one-time Nine Inch Nails bandmate Trent Reznor. The decision to revive the Filter brand after five years came after Patrick's experience as singer/lyricist with the supergroup Army of Anyone -- with Stone Temple Pilots' Dean and Robert DeLeo and David Lee Roth drummer Ray Luzier -- releasing a self-titled album on The Firm Music label last year. A single from the album, "Goodbye," went to Top 3 on the Active Rock charts. Since deciding to part ways with Nine Inch Nails to record Filter's multi-platinum debut, Short Bus, for Reprise Records, Patrick has seen his own career take off. That first album produced the Top 10 alternative mainstay, "Hey Man, Nice Shot," as well as such standards as "Dose," "Stuck in Here" and "Under." Anthems for the Damned is his cry in the wilderness, a protest against the status quo, a litany of society's ills and, hopefully, a first step on the road to recovery.

As one of the most influential guitarists of his generation, Jerry Cantrell has made a permanent mark on today's rock music. His heavy- yet organic-style, paired with soulful songwriting, helped shape the success of the legendary '90's band, Alice in Chains. Echoes of Cantrell's haunting and melodic music still permeate the modern rock genre, and many new bands unapologetically cite Cantrell as a vital influence. Cantrell penned many of Alice in Chains' innovative songs including "Rooster," "Would?" and "No Excuses," which have become rock anthems of this generation.

After five platinum and multi-platinum albums with Alice in Chains, Cantrell honed his singer/songwriter talents, and in 1998 he embarked on a solo career. Boggy Depot (Columbia), his first solo release, was an introspective musical exploration dipping into elements of both rock and country. Cantrell's sophomore release, 2002's double CD, Degradation Trip, (Roadrunner), proved to be an intricate 25-song rock and roll masterpiece: raw, powerful and bleeding with emotion.

Famous for his musical integrity, Cantrell is one of the most well respected rock musicians of today. His uncompromising creativity has made him a living legend of rock and roll with a thriving international fan base. Currently working on a new album, he continues to perfect his art. Now Cantrell is gearing up to hit the road again to showcase some of his new songs as well as some old favorites. Cantrell is also collaborating with Billy Duffy of The Cult on a side project, "Cardboard Vampyres."