Filter
“Obliteration”
(Golden Robot Records)
Release Date: July 11, 2023
The Algorithm
Release Date: August 25, 2023
by Scott Deckman
Filter, or Richard Patrick for short, is a survivor of sorts. Part of the industrial metal movement in the early-to-mid ’90s, Patrick paid his dues as touring guitarist for Trent Reznor before setting off on his own to form Filter, which released the seminal Short Bus in 1995. Only current single “Obliteration” off The Algorithm sounds more like it came off sophomore effort, Title of Record, which tried to top Short Bus but couldn’t.
Parts of Title of Record aren’t bad, but it lacks the animalist grit and sad beauty of the former. “Obliteration” is pretty posh and worked on, with a catchy, radio-friendly chorus. Though, like much of rock these days, it’s a little pat and overproduced. You can only write “It’s Over” once. But the processed guitars are crunchy, there’s a riff in there (plus some danceable beats mixed low in the industrial din), and Patrick’s distinct, fragile tenor yearns. The album dropped on August 25, 2023. Check it out.
