Yet another weapon in the vast arsenal of bands employed by PANTERA vocalist Phil Anselmo, this venture taking its title from a lyric in the DARKTHRONE track 'The Pagan Winter' - "United by Hatred; The final Superjoint Ritual..." SUPERJOINT RITUAL found Anselmo working alongside the esteemed figure of guitarist Jimmy Bower, a veteran of pedigree acts such as CORROSION OF CONFORMITY, EYEHATEGOD and Anselmo's own DOWN. This band was completed with bassist Hank Williams III, ex-CROWBAR guitarist Kevin Bond and drummer Joseph Fazzio of STRESSBALL.

The first 2'500 copies of the May 2002 album 'Use Once And Destroy' included two bonus demo tracks 'Little H' and 'Starvation Trip'. A nationwide American tour, commencing in Atlanta, Georgia on the June 7th, saw SKINLAB as support. A new 2003 album was announced with a provisional title of 'Striking Fear Into The Enemy: A Lethal Dose Of American Hatred', this banner subsequently being truncated. When it emerged the record proved the band had withheld any thoughts of musical compromise and 'A Lethal Dose Of American Hatred' duly shifted over 20,000 copies in its first week of release in the USA. As SUPERJOINT RITUAL's profile rose sharply Anselmo gained media coverage by questioning his future with PANTERA. A headline tour, commencing 15th August in Little Rock, Arkansas, found STRAPPING YOUNG LAD and FULL BLOWN CHAOS as support acts. Further touring in North America during the Spring of 2004 found the band on a package billing with CLUTCH and Black Metal pioneers DEICIDE. Jimmy Bower took time out in May to act as live drummer for DEBRIS INC., the band of former TROUBLE bass guitarist Ron Holzer and ST. VITUS frontman Dave Chandler.

SUPERJOINT RITUAL joined the cast of the mammoth BLACK SABBATH and JUDAS PRIEST headlined Summer 2004 'Ozzfest' festivals. Anselmo immediately made media waves by vomiting onstage at the band's first concert in Hartford, Connecticut on 10th July and pronouncing to the audience that "PANTERA is dead!". This behavior did not seem to affect record sales as 'A Lethal Dose Of American Hatred' was close to breaking the 100,000 sales mark and predecessor 'Use Once And Destroy' hit the 107,000 sales tally. In October Sanctuary issued the DVD package 'Live At CBGB's: Changing The Face Of Music Through Uncompromising Images'.

Phil Anselmo virtually retired from public view in the wake of the onstage murder of his erstwhile PANTERA comrade Darrell 'Dimebag' Abbott on 8th December 2004. Finally breaking the silence, Anselmo guested as fill in guitarist for EYEHATEGOD's 15th August 2005 gig at New York's famous CBGB's club in New York City. Meantime, Hank Williams III wouls be on the road in October with his "Hellbilly" band ASSJACK.

Phil Anselmo underwent surgery for an ongoing back problem on 21st November. The lengthy recuperation period would see the frontman away from the live stage for some time.

Anselmo marked his return to public on a March 10th concert for VH1 Classic's 'Decades Rock Live!' tribute to HEART at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City. A reunited ALICE IN CHAINS, involving guitarist JERRY CANTRELL, bassist Mike Inez and drummer Sean Kinney would be joined by the vocalist and GUNS N' ROSES and VELVET REVOLVER bassist DUFF McKAGAN, on second guitar.

In April 2006 Kevin Bond temporarily joined the ranks of VALUME NOB as stand-in bassist for UK touring.