Weathered

Creed: Scott Stapp (vocals); Mark Tremonti (guitar, bass); Scott Philips (keyboards, drums).
Additional personnel: Bo Taylor (spoken vocals); John Kurzweg (keyboards); Amie Stapp, Tallahassee Boys' Choir (background vocals).
Producers: John Kurzweg, Kirk Kelsey, Creed.
Engineers: John Kurzweg, Kirk Kelsey, Creed.
Recorded at J. Stanley Productions, Ocoee, Florida and Transcontinental Studios, Orlando, Florida.
"My Sacrifice" was nominated for the 2003 Grammy Awards for Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal.
Undaunted by the prospect of matching the diamond status of Creed's HUMAN CLAY, the band returned to the studio stripped to a three-piece unit. The album's title speaks volumes of the band's amazing rise to glory and trials of dealing with the critical backlash of seeming overnight success. With no immediate plans to replace founding bassist Brian Marshall (associate member Brett Hestla was busy with his own recording sessions), guitarist Mark Tremonti stepped up and aptly handled bass duties on WEATHERED. Arguably Creed's heaviest song to date, "Bullets" opens with thunderous riffs and Tool-inspired arpeggios. Opening with a mystical Indian chant by Bo Taylor, "Who's Got My Back Now" builds progressively with Zeppelinish dramaticism, owing much to Tremonti and vocalist Scott Stapp's winning collaborative prowess. Longtime producer John Kurzweg took his place behind the controls, dialing in a towering "live" drum sound that sets the tone for the album. Shoe-in singles "My Sacrifice" and "Stand Here With Me" resound much in the spirit of HUMAN CLAY's "Higher," with uplifting, major-key dominant melodies that set Creed apart from their aggro- and doom metal peers. WEATHERED closes with the aptly titled "Lullaby," Creed's most vulnerable acoustic ballad yet.