One of the cool things about being a reviewer is listening to music I wouldn’t normally pick up. It isn’t to say it is all sunshine and roses (or rotting corpses if I’m in the mood), but I have found genres, bands, and artists that I wouldn’t have found staying in a Christian Metal cave in a proverbial Scandinavia. Having not listened to Tremonti before then, last year’s “The End Will Show Us How” was a companion through some tough personal trials. Here we are less than a year later with the original Creed spinoff, Alter Bridge, releasing their eponymous release.
After the collapse of the legendary Creed in 2004,lead guitarist Mark Tremonti and drummer Scott Phillips along with original Creed bassist Brian Marshall recruited guitarist Myles Kennedy as the lead singer for the new band Alter Bridge. Unlike many bands, there have been no lineup changes since the beginning, but their history has been complicated by side projects. Creed reformed, Myles’ solo work and lead singing for Slash, and Mark Tremonti’s solo band all have contributed to pauses in operations. Apparently, the stars have aligned for their 8th album.
This is a solid release and has much of what I want in an album. Although they have a musical language that is borderline nostalgic for me, they do not over-index on one area, showing a breadth of musical ideas from the brooding, to the energetic, to the tender. The musical talent and chemistry is palpable, pulling together a cohesive performance that is accented by the stellar guitar and vocal talents that give food for the mind and soul. Is there a drawback here?
The album runs a solid hour length over 12 songs, which if done right is a feast to the ears. Most songs land in the 4-5 minute range, which is enough for the songs to breathe a bit without turning into a proggy knot. The exception is the epic closer “Slave To Master” which is AB‘s longest song at 9 minutes that is a patient exposition featuring a jam session toward the end. Their sound is well rooted in the post grunge/alternative metal universe after the 90s that focuses on chunky heavy guitars and hooky melodic vocals that make use of jazzy extended harmonies.
Their flagship style is a heavy hard rock/metal sound that focuses on guitar technique and clean melodic vocals that balance precision and emotion. The opening “Silent Divide” shows this off well. Even within songs, the different sections will flex and flow so easily that you’ll notice you are somewhere else completely. “Scales Are Falling” shows this best where the verse is dark and heavy and the interlude opens up briefly in a hopeful light before plunging back into the dark. But there are some more tender songs lifting the heaviness. The ballad entry “Hang By A Thread,” is uplifting and empowering that fits well with the heavy stuff, staying clear of drippy emotions.
Mark Tremonti’s lead axe slinging is neatly disguised in support of songs where I am so far into the song that I miss that the musical interlude is a tricky bit of fret work. That is to say, his talent is at the service of the piece of art and not the other way around. “What Lies Within” is a fantastic specimen where it guides the song’s feelings with excellent technical execution.
The lyrics are positive with even a spiritual quality which is quite a pleasant surprise for me. For example, the opening “Silent Divide” speaks to the power of silence where my mind recalls Jesus’ silence in front of Herod. Another one is “Trust In Me” alludes to a still quiet voice that guides during the tough times. However, it is not just words in silo. Just like with Mark’s guitar, it is woven all together to bring imagery to musical life. To illustrate, “Power Down” starts with thrashy riffing as a symbol for the hectic world around us, but then moves down in tempo until Myles admonishes us to “take a minute.”
The only drawback is the post-production on the lower frequencies. The best way to describe it is a heavy thumpy bottom end that when the songs get going reminds me of a fat kid flying on a 100 meter sprint. Its awkward and I expect someone is gonna get hurt, but in the end everything seems fine, leaving me wondering if there is a problem.
I will own my prejudices against mainstream acts, but I ain’t too proud to point out something that is the real deal and what AB has produced on their eighth outing is exactly that. I wouldn’t be surprised if this makes my top 10 list this year.
Rating: 9/10
Written by Sean Bailey
Tracklist
1 – Silent Divide
2 – Rue The Day
3 – Power Down
4 – Trust In Me
5 – Disregarded
6 – Tested And Able
7 – What Lies Within
8 – Hang By a Thread
9 – Scales Are Falling
10 – Playing Aces
11 – What Are You Waiting For
12 – Slave To Master
Alter Bridge is:
Myles Kennedy – lead vocals, rhythm & lead guitars, keyboards, programming
Mark Tremonti – lead & rhythm guitars, lead vocals on “Trust In Me” and “Tested and Able”
Brian Marshall – bass
Scott Phillips – drums
Release Date: January 6, 2026
Record Label: Napalm Records
Discography:
One Day Remains (2004)
Blackbird (2007)
AB III (2010)
Fortress (2013) [review]
The Last Hero (2016)
Walk the Sky (2019)
Pawns & Kings (2022)
Alter Bridge (2026)
Social Media: Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Spotify | Bandcamp
Video for Scales Are Falling
Video For Silent Divide
Video For What Lies Within
Video For Playing Aces