As I'm writing I just so happen to be giving Alter Bridge's latest album its first listen. Why I've left it so late I have no clue. What I am listening too, however, is an absolute behemoth of an album.
Alter Bridge are a hard rock act from Orlando, Florida formed out the ashes of the controversial disbandment of arena rock masters Creed. Former Creed bandmates: guitarist Mark Tremonti, Bassist Brian Marshall and drummer Scott Phillips decided to continue making music with a different vocalist of which they chose former member of The Mayfair Four, Myles Kennedy. Myles' journey through the rock world is well documented and the rest is history...
This, their fourth record, followed up the critically acclaimed concept album ABIII. The gap in between said albums was filled up with (deep breath) a Creed reunion, a Mark Tremonti solo album and one colossal collaboration with Slash for Myles.
First off, Alter Bridge are back with a more polished sound than ever. Which is surprising given just how well ABIII was produced. An acoustic intro to start of the whole album during Cry Of Achilles is very reminiscent of the way Metallica would open a belter of a song back in the 80's. That's what this intro does but in terms of the whole album. What you're going to find is a snarling beast of an album packed with dark, moody and down right virtuoso playing from all members.
Lead single off the album showcases this perfectly. The main riff bursts out of the blocks early Judas Priest style and drums pound away in impeccable timing. The chorus cements the bands trademark of being a seriously heavy band but with the most beautiful swathes of melody. Myles Kennedy's voice always elevated above the downtuned madness of Tremonti's guitar below, he is gaining more recognition by the album but come on, the man should have been a super star years ago. His voice is, to put bluntly, unique and timeless. See for yourself...
Unlike previous records, this one is punctuated only twice by ballads, signalling a preferred musical direction the band now opt to take. It seems like these quieter, more focused tracks are implemented purely to showcase Myles' raw emotion and vocal ability, just like his majestic falsetto in Lover. Many tracks also tackle odd and unused keys which as you imagine are masterfully handled in what can only be an amazing writing environment between Kennedy and Tremonti.
There is room here for other subtle experimentation. Whether that be the disjointed, dirty and slightly unsettling breakdown in The Uninvited or Tremonti's vocally fronted track Waters Rising which works an absolute charm. Myles' and Mark's voices interlink at multiple points during the record and compliment each other brilliantly. Mark Tremonti needs to get more kudos himself as his guitar and vocal work are just stellar. His metal influences really do shine in this record and he was damn keen to show it. Also, a decade of writing Creed hits means he's not to shabby delivering stunningly good solos either. A personal favourite from the multitude I could choose from is a solo that dominates final track epic Fortress.
Alter Bridge have far gone past the point of delivering just "solid" records. This is naturally the level at which people of this musical talent will produce. And it wasn't a "playing it safe" album by any stretch. The dark, brooding world Alter Bridge have created will only continue to grow. With more bass. And double-kick pedals. Perfect.
9/10
Seb Wainwright
