Filter is an American rock band formed in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1993 by vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter Richard Patrick and musician Brian Liesegang. Combining industrial rock's mechanical textures with alternative metal, post-grunge, and electronic production, the group became one of the more commercially successful acts to emerge from the 1990s post-industrial scene. Patrick has remained Filter's central creative force and only continuous member.
Before forming Filter, Patrick was a touring guitarist for Nine Inch Nails from 1989 to 1993. His work with the band placed him close to the emerging industrial rock movement, but Filter gave him a platform for a broader songwriting style. Patrick and Liesegang initially built the project around programmed percussion, distorted guitars, sampled sounds, and a heavy but accessible vocal approach. After signing with Reprise Records, they released the debut album *Short Bus* in 1995.
Liesegang left after the first album, citing creative differences, and Patrick continued Filter with a changing group of musicians. Guitarist Geno Lenardo, bassist Frank Cavanagh, and drummer Steve Gillis became important collaborators during the next phase. The second album, *Title of Record*, arrived in 1999 and expanded Filter's musical range without abandoning its industrial foundation. "Welcome to the Fold" retained the band's hard-edged energy, while "Take a Picture" introduced a more melodic and vulnerable side. The latter became Filter's biggest crossover single, reaching the US Top 20 and helping the album achieve platinum status.
The third album, *The Amalgamut*, followed in 2002. Tracks such as "Where Do We Go from Here" and "American Cliche" continued the contrast between forceful industrial rock and more atmospheric material. Shortly after the album's release, Patrick entered rehabilitation for substance abuse, bringing the tour to an early end and leading to a temporary interruption in Filter's activities.
During the hiatus, Patrick formed Army of Anyone with Stone Temple Pilots members Robert and Dean DeLeo and Korn drummer Ray Luzier. The group released one album in 2006, but Patrick soon returned his attention to Filter. The band resumed its recording career with *Anthems for the Damned* in 2008, followed by *The Trouble with Angels* in 2010, *The Sun Comes Out Tonight* in 2013, and *Crazy Eyes* in 2016. These releases show Patrick repeatedly reshaping the project, moving between guitar-heavy rock, electronic experimentation, and darker industrial arrangements.
After a seven-year gap, Filter released *The Algorithm* in 2023. The album presented a modernized version of the band's established sound, with dense production, electronic detail, and songs including "Face Down," "For the Beaten," and "Obliteration." An expanded and remixed *The Algorithm: Ultra Edition* appeared in 2025. Filter continues to operate under Patrick's direction, with touring planned for 2026 and another album in development. Through its changing lineups and stylistic adjustments, the band remains identified with Patrick's ability to balance industrial aggression, pop-minded melody, and a distinctly cinematic sense of sound.