Creed debuted with “My Own Prison” in 1997. It includes songs such as the title track, plus “Torn,” “What’s This Life For” and “One.” The guys followed up with “Human Clay” in 1999, which included chart toppers “Higher,” “What If,” “With Arms Wide Open” and “Are You Ready?”

But after the band’s third album, “Weathered,” came out in 2001, troubles began for the young group.

“That was a tough time, this rapid success for the band was quick,” Stapp said. “... all the positive things about our personalities, and characters, and love for each other that inspires the positivity, our emotional insecurities and age-appropriate development and attitude, that created the music, it also created friction.”

Breakup announcement
That friction was compounded by being on the road, stuck in a bus for long periods of time. It led to a breakup announcement in 2004.

“I don’t think it’s the first story of a band that took a break and then reconnected,” Stapp said. “I think during that time, everyone grew as human beings, as musicians, their world view and their understanding of things.”

Stapp said when the band first got back together again in 2009 for a three-month North American tour, everyone was a little hesitant.

“I think everyone had a little trepidation, like, ‘What’s going on with this person? Are we gonna pick up where we left off in 2004? Are there any glimmers of ’92 to 2003?” Stapp said. “I think it’s a learning process.”

Stapp compares it to a family dynamic.

“With anyone who’s trying to repair a relationship, or get back with their family, reconnect with a sibling, or whatever it is, there has to be a level of patience and understanding and respect,” he said. “And a focus on the unified goal and the core of, ‘I love you, and let’s move on and let’s pick it up again.’ ”