Alter Bridge // Alter Bridge // Album Review

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Alter Bridge, one of the most electrifying bands of the last twenty-odd years, are set to release its eighth studio album, the self-titled “Alter Bridge”, on the 9th of January, and, much like its predecessors, it is in a class all of its own.

With each passing album the band seem to bring it to the next level and you are often wondering if it is possible to top the last, well let me tell you they do and then some.  The album opens with “Silent Divide”, a searing riff with a monster drum beat sets the track up as Kennedy comes in over the top with his inimitable vocals, the thumping bass line accentuates the drums to give you a brutal low end while Tremonti and Kennedy trade riffs before the former drops a nifty solo, if the band wanted to make a statement of intent then this is most definitely how. Hot on its heels is “Rue The Day”, a heavy hitter with crunching riffs and a pummeling drum and bass beat. Kennedy’s vocals are superb, as he matches his cadence to the song’s rhythm. Once again, the guitar work from Tremonti is sublime, and the solo at the backend of the track is pure class. The blistering “Power Down” ramps the intensity up tenfold; Phillips’ crashing drums, aided by Marshall’s monster bass, drive this one big time. Add in maximum riffage from Tremonti and Kennedy, and you have a belter before Tremonti puts the cherry on top with a ripper solo.

“Trust In Me” chugs into life with a thick slow riff and pounding drum beat that permeates your brain tempered slightly by the cool vocals of Kennedy and Tremonti as they switch between verse and chorus matching the staccato tempo of the track to a tee, the rhythm is so alluring that you lose yourself in the hypnotic beat and rumbling bass line and the quirky solo at the end of the track is sublime, this is a cracker of a tune and without a doubt one of the best on the album. “Disregarded” opens to heavy riff and booming bass which transfers over to the drums as they hit like a hammer to the chest, kennedy is on top form on this one as he goes from high to low, Tremonti once again put on a masterclass in solos but the guitars on this overall are killer. The Tremonti lead “Tested And Able” is another instant classic with its heavy riffs and bass line, all while being amazingly melodic. Kennedy’s higher range plays well off Tremonti’s lower register, while both of their guitar work are spectacular, a track that, when you hear it, you realise why you were drawn to the band in the first place.

The slow balladesque “Hang By A Thread” is an arena song if ever there was; a slight country twang at the start of it with Kennedy in full flow courtesy of his amazingly silky vocals, the track crescendos midway through as it goes electric with a full press as Tremonti mesmerises once more, an excellent track. The strummed guitar intro to “Scales Are Falling” belies what is to come in the shape of a thunderous drum beat from Phillips and a thick bass line from Marshall that rumbles nicely in the background. Kennedy starts out snarling before giving way to his customary style; the riffs are sharp as hell, and the solos are unreal. Another banger of a tune. The fast-paced “Playing Aces” is a signature track that has you in the palm of their collective hands as the band show how they can go from mid-paced to high octane with consummate ease.

You can feel the heaviness dripping off this one while still being melodic, a serious contender for track of the album. The penultimate track, “What Are You Waiting For”, kicks it up a notch, built on a thumping low end and funky riffs that sound like an air raid siren, a little heavier and cutting than previous tracks, with a kick rhythm setting up the finale perfectly. Every band needs an epic in their collection and these guys have a few but none as long and engaging as the closer “Slave To The Master”, coming in just over nine minutes this brings you on a sonic journey you never knew you needed till now, calmly opening to Kennedy’s dulcet tones before bursting into life with a chugging riff and blistering drum beat giving you a thrashy vibe before changing up again and becoming more melodic and slightly proggy but the standout part of the track is the dual guitar solos that are incredible with both Tremonti and Kennedy going all out. A stunning track that befits the band’s maturity and progression over the last twenty years, on an album of standout tracks, this is head and shoulders above them all.

Alter Bridge’s best album eve, I hear you say, maybe, but if it’s no,t it is up there with the best of them.

Physical formats are available for pre-order now at https://www.lnk.to/AB-AlterBridge.

Review: Conor

Alter Bridge is out 9th of January courtesy of Napalm Records.

Alter Bridge are:

Myles Kennedy Lead vocals, rhythm guitar

Mark Tremonti Lead guitar, backing vocals

Brian Marshall Bass

Scott Phillips Drums

The track listing for “Alter Bridge” is:

1)  Silent Divide (5:06)

2)  Rue The Day (4:46)

3)  Power Down (4:08)

4)  Trust In Me (4:48)

5)  Disregarded (3:55)

6)  Tested And Able (4:36)

7)  What Lies Within (5:07)

8)  Hang By A Thread (4:11)

9)  Scales Are Falling (5:54)

10) Playing Aces (4:05)

11) What Are You Waiting For (5:00)

12) Slave To Master (9:03)

“Alter Bridge” is currently available for pre-order in the following formats:

  • -1-CD 6p Digisleeve, 12p Booklet
  • -2-LP Gatefold BLACK, Lyric Sheet
  • -2-LP Gatefold TRANSLUCENT VERDE – VETRI (INDIE exclusive)
  • -2-LP Gatefold TRANSLUCENT VERDE – VETRI + autographed postcard (NEWBURY exclusive, limited to 50)
  • -1-CD 6p Digisleeve + autographed postcard (NEWBURY exclusive, limited to 250)
  • -2-LP Gatefold SPLATTERED BLACK SMOKE/ WHITE ORANGE BLACK, 12p Booklet (Napalm mailorder exclusive)
  • -2-LP BLACK, White Label Edition + hand-numbered Covercard (Napalm mailorder international-only exclusive)
  • -2-LP Gatefold MARBLE COLORLESS BLACK & RED BLACK OLD PURPLE, 12p Booklet (Napalm exclusive)
  • -LP Box incl. 2-LP Gatefold SPLIT BLACK/MILK, 12p Booklet, 5-Tack Bonus Picture Vinyl in Plastic Sleeve, Artprint (Napalm mailorder international-only exclusive)
  • -1-CD 6p Digisleeve + “Hang By A Thread” Shirt Bundle (Napalm exclusive)
  • -2-LP Gatefold SPLATTERED CRÈME BLACK, 12p Booklet (Band exclusive)
  • -2-LP Gatefold MARBLE BLACK SMOKE, 12p Booklet (Band exclusive)
  • -2-LP Gatefold CRISTALLO MILK GLITTER, Lyric Sheet (Band exclusive)
  • -1-CD Jewel Case (Ticket Bundle for Townsend exclusive) + Guitar Pick (Band exclusive)

[LP Box incl. 2-LP Gatefold SPLIT BLACK/MILK, 12p Booklet, 5-Track Bonus Picture Vinyl in Plastic Sleeve, Artprint (Napalm mailorder international-only exclusive)]

To coincide with the new album, Alter Bridge will hit the road in support of the release on the What Lies Within Tour. The 31-date European run kicks off January 15 in Germany and wraps March 5 in Nottingham, UK, with Daughtry and Sevendust joining as special guests. The band has also announced a headlining U.S. tour featuring Filter or Sevendust and Tim Montana on select dates. The trek begins April 25 in Orlando, FL and concludes May 24 in Tampa, FL.

On Saturday 27th June, the grounds of Cardiff Castle will be shaken to their foundations as Alter Bridge’s inaugural Blackbird Festival bursts onto the scene with a monumental lineup the global rock heavyweights will headline. Launching their own festival marks a key moment for the band – not just as a celebration of their legacy, but as a bold step into curating their own live experience, bringing together a handpicked lineup of artists and connecting with fans in a whole new way. The group will be joined by Skindred, Bush, Florence Black, and Cardinal Black. Tickets for the festival are on sale now via blackbirdfest.com and Ticketmaster.

More information on all tickets and VIP packages for the upcoming tours can be found at www.alterbridge.com.

 European What Lies Within Tour 2026:

Jan 15 – HAMBURG, GERMANY – Sporthalle

Jan 17 – OSLO, NORWAY – Sentrum Scene

Jan 18 – OSLO, NORWAY – Sentrum Scene

Jan 20 – STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN – Annexet

Jan 22 – HELSINKI, FINLAND – Ice Hall Black Box

Jan 24 – COPENHAGEN, DENMARK – KB Hallen

Jan 25 – BERLIN, GERMANY – Columbiahalle

Jan 27 – GLIWICE, POLAND – Prezero Arena Gliwice

Jan 28 – BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – Barba Negra

Jan 30 – VIENNA, AUSTRIA – Gasometer

Jan 31 – ZAGREB, CROATIA – Bocarski Dom

Feb 02 – ROME, ITALY – Atlantico

Feb 03 – BERGAMO, ITALY – ChorusLive Arena

Feb 05 – ZURICH, SWITZERLAND – The Hall

Feb 06 – LYON, FRANCE – Halle Tony Garnier

Feb 08 – BARCELONA, SPAIN – Razzmatazz 1

Feb 10 – LISBON, PORTUGAL – Sagres Campo Pequeno

Feb 12 – MADRID, SPAIN – Palacio Vistalegre

Feb 13 – BORDEAUX, FRANCE – Arkea Arena

Feb 15 – LUXEMBOURG, LUXEMBOURG – Rockhal

Feb 17 – OBERHAUSEN, GERMANY – Oberhausen Turbinenhalle

Feb 18 – PARIS, FRANCE – Zenith

Feb 20 – MUNICH, GERMANY – Zenith

Feb 22 – AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – Ziggo Dome

Feb 23 – BRUSSELS, BELGIUM – Ancienne Belgique

Feb 25 – NEWCASTLE, UNITED KINGDOM – Utilita Arena

Feb 26 – MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM – AO Arena

Feb 28 – DUBLIN, IRELAND – 3Arena

Mar 02 – GLASGOW, UNITED KINGDOM – OVO Hydro

Mar 04 – LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – The O2

Mar 05 – NOTTINGHAM, UNITED KINGDOM – Motorpoint Arena

What Lies Within US Tour

Apr 25 – Orlando, FL – House of Blues – TM

Apr 26 – Atlanta, GA – Coca-Cola Roxy – 7D/TM

Apr 28 – Houston, TX – Bayou Music Center – F/TM

Apr 29 – Dallas, TX – South Side Ballroom – F/TM

May 1 – Tulsa, OK – Skyline Event Center at Osage Casino Hotel – F/TM

May 2 – Omaha, NE – Steelhouse Omaha – F/TM

May 5 – Green Bay, WI – EPIC Event Center – F/TM

May 6 – Chicago, IL – The Salt Shed – F/TM

May 9 – Atlantic City, NJ – Event Center at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa – F

May 10 – Boston, MA – Citizen House of Blues Boston – F/TM

May 12 – Huntington, NY – The Paramount – F/TM

May 13 – Montclair, NJ – The Wellmont Theater – F/TM

May 18 – Pittsburgh, PA – The Roxian Theatre – F/TM

May 19 – Detroit, MI – The Fillmore Detroit – F/TM

May 21 – Nashville, TN – The Pinnacle – 7D/TM

May 22 – Birmingham, AL – Avondale Brewing Company – F/TM

May 24 – Tampa, FL – Seminole Hard Rock Tampa Event Center – F/TM

** TM = Tim Montana, F = Filter, 7D = Sevendust

Blackbird Festival

Jun 27 – CARDIFF, WALES – Blackbird Festival @ Cardiff Castle

About Alter Bridge

Back in 2004, four lifelong musicians got together down in Florida. Even though they had traveled separate paths, similar lessons learned, wisdom earned, and dues paid united these gentlemen – Myles Kennedy [vocals, guitar], Mark Tremonti [guitar, vocals], Brian Marshall [bass], and Scott Phillips [drums] – as Alter Bridge. Over the ensuing two decades, the band endured countless trials and tribulations, defied every odd, and rose to the head of the pack as a hard rock juggernaut, cementing a singular legacy by selling out arenas, gathering nearly 1 billion streams, inciting international acclaim, and quietly attracting a diehard audience.

Beginning with the Top 5 entry of 2004’s gold certified One Day Remains, the band have scored six consecutive Top 20 debuts on the Billboard 200. Among a myriad of highlights, Guitarist Magazine applauded “Blackbird” for the “Greatest Guitar Solo of All Time,” the ABIII single “Isolation” vaulted to #1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart, 2013’s Fortress received rare perfect scores from KERRANG! and Total Guitar, and Walk The Sky shook the Top Rock Albums Chart at #1. Beyond packing O2 Arena and Royal Albert Hall, Classic Rock hailed 2022’s Pawns & Kings as “the Rolls-Royce of Alter Bridge records” in a 4.5-out-of-5-star review. Plus, the latter LP garnered praise from American Songwriter, Guitar World, and Loudwire, while Billboard christened them “one of America’s premiere hard rock quartets.” Channelling the same relentless drive, the band continues to expand their legacy with their forthcoming self-titled eighth album – an embodiment of the precision, power, and soaring musicality fans have come to expect.

FIND ALTER BRIDGE ONLINE:

Spotify

Apple Music

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www.alterbridge.com

www.facebook.com/alterbridge

www.instagram.com/officialalterbridge

www.tiktok.com@officialalterbridge

www.twitter.com/alterbridge

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