American grunge-band. Reminiscent of old Pearl Jam and a bit Soundgarden. The only grunge-band worth listening to, in my opinion. Coming out of Florida, this band so far released two albums, and sold thirteen million albums. Not to be confused with the German white metal band with the same name. (Although I have read somewhere on the net that these guys are Christians as well).

HUMAN CLAY (2000) WIND-UP

  1. Are You Ready?

  2. What If

  3. Beautiful

  4. Say I

  5. Wrong Way

  6. Faceless Man

  7. Never Die

  8. With Arms Wide Open

  9. Higher

  10. Wash Away Those Tears

  11. Inside Us All

  12. Young Grow Old

  13. With Arms Wide Open (Orchestrated version) - hidden bonus track

This band took me by surprise. I saw that the English so-called metal mags, like KERRANG! and HAMMER sounded the horns over these guys. And that to me wasn't a good sign. These mags only write about Slipknot, Marilyn Manson and all the nu-metal modern hypes. So the long face was on me when my brother bought it, and played it to me. It was tremendous. Sounds like the first Pearl Jam record (which is the only other grunge disc worth owing). I was just stunned by the excellent vocals. The music so atmospheric, it sends shivers down my spine.

Killer tracks: Faceless Man, Higher, Inside Us All

WEATHERED (2001) WIND-UP

  1. Bullets

  2. Freedom Fighter

  3. Who's Got My Back?

  4. Signs

  5. One Last Breath

  6. My Sacrifice

  7. Stand Here With Me

  8. Weathered

  9. Hide

  10. Don't Stop Dancing

  11. Lullaby

Creed had a lot to show up with, if they ever were gonna top, or even match their 'Human Clay' release. And off course they did not do that. Weathered is also a great albums, by all means, but they really show tendencies of being a multi-million selling band. The 2 songs that start the album are 2 of the heaviest songs they have recorded. And the 3rd song, the awesome 7 minutes + epic "Who's Got My Back?", that does not sound radio friendly at all, are fresh takes. But from there on there's not much originality to be found. Safe songs with calculated choruses. I really dig half the album, and the rest is easy to forget. This is still one of the finest releases of 2001.

Killer tracks: Who's Got My Back?, One Last Breath, Stand Here With Me, Weathered, Hide