The album's first single "Soldiers of Misfortune" will be available digitally on April 15. Patrick describes the soaring anthem--with its U2/Bowie flavor and stacked backdrop of buzzing electric guitars--as a "sardonic anti-war/pro-troops song." The first-person narrative was inspired by a letter from a Filter fan who had enlisted in the Army reserves to get his college tuition paid; in his final year of college, he was shipped off to Iraq where he died from a rocket attack and small arms fire after just a few days of duty.
Most recently, former Filter bassist--now Army Sergeant--Frank Cavanagh traveled to Kuwait to join his former band on Filter's "Hey Man Nice Shot" for the Operation MySpace concert. Cavanagh--who is due to begin his tour of duty later this month--was authorized by the U.S. Army to join the band so that he could be a part of this memorable performance.
"I love the Army and I love Filter," Cavanagh said. "To be able to join Richard and my former band for the first time in nearly six years is a huge honor. To perform this song with the band in Kuwait holds a truly special meaning for me, as I am able to share the musical part of my life with my brothers and sisters who are serving our country."
Filter frontman Richard Patrick said, "It was an honor for us to perform for the troops in Kuwait at the Operation MySpace concert. Having my former bandmate and current enlisted Army Sergeant Frank Cavanagh on stage next to me made this a show that I will remember for the rest of my life."
Anthems For The Damned features such collaborators as guitarist/songwriter John 5, guitarist Wes Borland and drummer Josh Freese and marks Filter's first release in five years since The Amalgamut. Pointed and passionate, the new album traces Patrick's own anger and shame with the state of things, from the intense alternative industrial blast of "The Take," "What's Next" and "Hatred is Contagious," the ultimate resignation of "Kill the Day" and "Lie After Lie" to the tentative hope expressed by "Only You" and the ambient soundscape of the closing "Can Stop This."
TOUR DATES AS OF 3/24/08- SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE:
Apr 12 The FX Channel
Apr 24 Stubbs Austin, Texas
Apr 26 The Woodlands...Buzzfest Houston, Texas
Apr 27 KDGE-Edge-fest Pizza Hut Frisco, Texas
May 9 Band Camp Jacksonville, Florida
May 13 Record Release Party and Performance Mercury Lounge New York, New York
May 17 ROCK ON THE RANGE--CREW STADIUM Columbus, Ohio
May 18 Pointfest Verizon Wireless Amphitheater St. Louis, Missouri
Jun 1 WBCN's River Rave Tweeter Center Boston, Massachusetts
Jun 6 Rock im Park Nurnberg, Germany
Jun 8 Rock am Ring Nurburgring, Germany
Jun 9 Islington Academy London, London and South East
Preview and Purchase Filter CDs
Kandace Springs - Run Your Race
On the Blue: New Horizons Cruise Day 1: Marbin Gets the Fun Started
Hot In The City: Prog Band Tu-Ner Coming to Phoenix
Staind Get Animated For 'Better Days' Featuring Dorothy Video
Allman Brothers Band Pay Tribute To Dickey Betts
Kings of Leon Have 'Nothing To Do' With New Video
Pearl Jam Deliver New Album 'Dark Matter'
From Ashes To New Are 'One Foot In The Grave' With Aaron Pauley For Expanded 'Blackout'
My Dying Bride Mark 'A Mortal Binding' Release With 'Her Dominion' Lyric Video
Joe Bonamassa Shares 'Ball Peen Hammer' Video From Live at the Hollywood Bowl with Orchestra
The Funeral Portrait Recruit The Used's Bert McCracken For 'You're So Ugly When You Cry'