Weathered (2001)

Weathered is the third studio album by American rock band Creed, released on November 20, 2001. It was the last Creed album to be released until Full Circle in October 2009, as Creed disbanded in June 2004. Weathered is the only Creed album to be recorded as a trio, as bassist Brian Marshall departed in August 2000, with guitarist Mark Tremonti taking over the bass guitar part during recording. Tremonti and vocalist Scott Stapp wrote most of the material for the album during a three-week period in late 2000, following their successful tour to support their second album, Human Clay. Manager Jeff Hanson once again paired the band with long-time producer John Kurzweg, who rented out a private residence/recording studio in Ocoee, Florida owned by Jay Stanley, where the band set up a studio inside to record the album. Recording sessions for the album began in July 2001 and took four months to complete.

Stapp described the album as "two records in one" and "a very extreme record", as it features some of Creed's heaviest and most aggressive songs, plus experimental tracks and many of the band's most popular ballads. The lyrics on Weathered tackle familiar topics often addressed by the band, including Christianity and faith, discrimination and unity, depression, loneliness, and friendship, as well as more current and personal issues such as criticism and persecution of the band by their critics and the press, substance abuse, dealing with the pressures of fame and the rock star lifestyle, feelings of invisibility and insignificance, and Stapp's deteriorating physical and mental health, which continued to worsen throughout their hectic tour in support of the album.

The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, the band's second consecutive studio album to top the chart, and remained at the top spot for eight consecutive weeks, the longest consecutive run since the Beatles's greatest hits album 1 (2000) the year prior. Weathered also spawned six singles, including two top 10 Billboard Hot 100 singles: "One Last Breath", which peaked at number 6, and "My Sacrifice", which peaked at number 4. It has since been certified 6× platinum by the RIAA for sales of over 6 million units in the US alone. Weathered received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising the band for their nuance, refined sound and unapologetic emotion, while others criticized the album for its lack of creativity and for being far too serious and pretentious. In 2025, Lauryn Schaffner of Loudwire named the album the best post-grunge release of 2001.

Background

Following the massive success of Creed's second album Human Clay, the band began to experience turmoil during their tour in support of the album in the summer of 2000. Bassist Brian Marshall's problems with alcoholism and addiction were taking their toll on the band. Marshall physically threatened guitarist Mark Tremonti and even began attacking vocalist Scott Stapp verbally and online. After a band meeting Marshall was fired. The public initially thought Marshall was let go due to comments he made about Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder during a radio interview with KNDD in June, claiming that Stapp was a better songwriter and criticizing Pearl Jam's recent albums for not having hooks. Marshall was replaced for the remainder of the tour with Brett Hestla of Virgos Merlot.

Stapp's own struggles with alcoholism, addiction, and depression also began to worsen during this period. He began drinking heavily to cope with his depression as well as with the pressures of fame and the band's success. He also became involved in many violent altercations, including in April 2001 when he punched a badgering fan at a club in St. Augustine, Florida, after the man reportedly told him "You should’ve stuck with Pearl Jam." However, no charges were filed. When asked about the altercation, Stapp responded by saying "I was going to turn the other cheek, but Jesus never had to deal with this Pearl Jam crap."

As Stapp's drinking addiction became more severe, he also became addicted to Percocet shortly after the release of the album following a car accident in the spring of 2002, as well as a host of other medications including Xanax and throat steroids like Decadron. Stapp's deterioration continued until he reached a point where he was "drinking from the time I woke up ‘til the time I went to sleep, and under the influence of pills as well." These addictions eventually culminated in a notorious breakdown during a December 29, 2002, live show at the Allstate Arena in Chicago, which led to the band's eventual break-up.