Afew years back, Creed would not be the first group to come to mind when considering acts most likely to patch up inter-band differences and reunite. The Southern Florida alt-rock band that arrived at the tail end of the grunge era to make the airways safe for overstated, angst-fueled anthem-rock yet again, before imploding in a pile of scarred egos and substance abuse in the early part of this decade, appeared to be a thing of the past by 2004. Three of its members moved on to post-Creed success, principally as members of Alter Bridge. Meanwhile, lead singer Scott Stapp began falling apart in public, as he struggled with various debilitating issues.

So most of the band didn’t really need to reunite, and the one member who did appeared to be headed for some very real and very serious trouble.

Itcameasquiteasurprise, then, whenitwasofficiallyannouncedafewmonthsbackthat Creedwouldindeedreform, and notjustforawallet-fattening “hits”tour, butforanalbumof all-newmaterialaswell.

The record, “Full Circle,” is slated for a fall release. The tour arrives at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center Saturday at 7:30 p. m. Tickets are available

through www.livenation.com

. —Jeff Miers