Stone Temple Pilots - Stone Temple Pilots
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On March 16, 2018, Stone Temple Pilots released their seventh studio album "Stone Temple Pilots".
After decades of success, tragedy, and reinvention, "Stone Temple Pilots" returned in 2018 with one of the most pivotal records of their career.
At the time, the band had already endured the loss of former frontman Scott Weiland and the earlier departure of Chester Bennington, whose brief tenure with the group produced the "High Rise EP". For guitarist Dean DeLeo, bassist Robert DeLeo, and drummer Eric Kretz, continuing the band meant proving that the musical identity of "Stone Temple Pilots" could survive even after losing two defining voices.
The search for a new vocalist was extensive. After reviewing thousands of submissions, the band introduced Jeff Gutt as their new frontman in late 2017. Rather than attempting to recreate the past, the group approached the album as the start of a new era. The record became the first full-length studio release to feature Gutt and the band’s first studio album in eight years.
Recording sessions placed the creative focus firmly on the DeLeo brothers, whose songwriting partnership has always been the musical backbone of "Stone Temple Pilots". Producing the album themselves allowed the band to concentrate on their natural chemistry. The result blends muscular guitar riffs, melodic bass lines, and layered arrangements that continue to reflect the distinctive sound the band established during the 1990s alternative rock explosion.
The album opens with "Middle of Nowhere", a confident reintroduction that wastes no time presenting the revitalized lineup. Driven by a sharp guitar riff and a tight rhythm section, the track showcases Jeff Gutt’s ability to carry the band’s melodic hard rock style without attempting to imitate the vocal personalities that came before him, Although the resemblance to Scott is really noticeable.
Momentum continues with "Meadow", the album’s first single and one of its most immediate highlights. The song rides a powerful groove built on Dean DeLeo’s crunchy guitar work while Robert DeLeo’s bass adds melodic depth beneath the soaring chorus. The track captures the swagger and hook-driven songwriting that helped define the band’s earlier successes.
A more reflective mood emerges with "Thought She'd Be Mine", where the band slows the tempo and explores atmospheric textures. Jeff Gutt delivers a restrained vocal performance supported by layered instrumentation that allows the song to unfold gradually and emotionally.
The heavier "Roll Me Under" pushes the record into grittier territory. Eric Kretz drives the song forward with pounding drums while thick guitar distortion gives the track a darker edge that recalls the band’s harder moments from earlier albums.
Right after, "Never Enough" combining power and tenderness, rock and blues. Heavy guitar layers and a sharp solo create one of the album's most beautiful moments, reminding listeners that "Stone Temple Pilots" know how to balance melody and roughness as they did in their early days.
Another standout arrives with "The Art of Letting Go", one of the moving and impressive pieces on the album. Caressing guitars and a melodious chorus create a sense of reflection that mirrors the band’s own journey through loss and renewal.
The butterfly artwork featured on the album cover reinforces the themes of transformation and rebirth. For a band that has faced tragedy, lineup changes, and shifting eras in rock music, the imagery symbolizes a group evolving while remaining rooted in the musical chemistry that first defined them.
"Stone Temple Pilots" ultimately stands as a testament to resilience. Jeff Gutt proves himself a strong addition to the lineup, while the songwriting partnership of Dean and Robert DeLeo continues to deliver the melodic depth and powerful arrangements that have long defined "Stone Temple Pilots". Rather than attempting to recreate their past, the band uses this album to demonstrate that their creative story is still unfolding.
For Listening: Spotify | Apple Music
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