Hello Alter Bridge Nation,
The recording process is moving forward and we could not be more excited about the songs that we are creating. Flip has finished all of his drum tracking and Brian will be finished recording all of his bass tracks by the end of this evening. Then, starting this weekend, Mark and Myles will begin recording guitars.
Our fearless manager, Steve Wood, snapped a few photos while down here in Miami and we thought that we would share them with you. First up, a view from the air of where we are recording.
(https://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l114/mtremonti571/ArialViewStudio.jpg)
(https://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l114/mtremonti571/FlipPrepares.jpg)
(https://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l114/mtremonti571/MarkTransfixed.jpg)
(https://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l114/mtremonti571/BrianSlappinDaBass.jpg)
(https://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l114/mtremonti571/MarkRocking.jpg)
(https://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l114/mtremonti571/MylesSurprised.jpg)
That is all we have got for now. Very few people have heard the songs we are working on (not even our record label) and we are very proud of what we are creating. The word used most to describe what we are creating is dark. We can not wait to unleash our songs on the world later this year. And… we have received word that our tour in October will begin in the UK. We will update you further as more news comes in and also keep you up to date on the recording process so check back soon.
Keep rocking,
Alter Bridge
QuoteThe word used most to describe what we are creating is dark
sweet
sweet
This.
@ 90210: both their albums are great, you should listen to them both. Much better than Creed, and really nothing like them at all.
-J
sweet
This.
@ 90210: both their albums are great, you should listen to them both. Much better than Creed, and really nothing like them at all.
-J
Eh...I don't know about that. You can really hear the Creed coming through in some of their work, especially on One Day Remains. Blackbird not so much, but certainly on the first one you can hear slight influences...they're not diametrically opposed to one another.
That said, Alter Bridge is infinitely better, IMO.
sweet
This.
@ 90210: both their albums are great, you should listen to them both. Much better than Creed, and really nothing like them at all.
-J
Eh...I don't know about that. You can really hear the Creed coming through in some of their work, especially on One Day Remains. Blackbird not so much, but certainly on the first one you can hear slight influences...they're not diametrically opposed to one another.
That said, Alter Bridge is infinitely better, IMO.
I agree with you here, and there is a simple explination. Tremonti had a lot of material still left over from Creed, and Myles was utilized much more as a vocalist rather than guitar/songwriter during the recording process of the first album. However, Myles and Tremonti worked together on Blackbird, which helped them create their own sound and stray away from Creed.
Thanks for all those song titles. Man, I can't wait for this record. :metal :metal
I :heart Alter Bridge. I have a man-crush on Miles.
Thanks for all those song titles. Man, I can't wait for this record. :metal :metal
Speaking of which, where did they come from exactly? Acc, mind sharing the image with us?
"The last time I talked to Scott he was saying he was so excited about the way the drum tracks had come out. "Fantastic" was the word he used. He also explained to me that with guitars you could adjust the sounds/tones/whatever after they were recorded, but drums were pretty much set so it was really important that they were recorded in such a big room. Not sure I actually understand all that but I'll take his word for it! He's really enthused about the progress of the CD.
They'll be back in Orlando as of this weekend. I think Mark and/or Myles start recording guitar tracks in the Orlando studio on Saturday.
Flip's mom posted this:Quote"The last time I talked to Scott he was saying he was so excited about the way the drum tracks had come out. "Fantastic" was the word he used. He also explained to me that with guitars you could adjust the sounds/tones/whatever after they were recorded, but drums were pretty much set so it was really important that they were recorded in such a big room. Not sure I actually understand all that but I'll take his word for it! He's really enthused about the progress of the CD.
They'll be back in Orlando as of this weekend. I think Mark and/or Myles start recording guitar tracks in the Orlando studio on Saturday.
The producer Elvis Baskett, who also produced "Blackbird" said they will be moving to another location to record the vocals. Interesting plan of action. I assume the drums sound better acoustically in a bigger room?
Hello Alter Bridge Nation,
We are proud to announce that drum and bass tracking on our third album is now complete. The next phase is the recording of the guitars, which Mark and Myles began on Monday. The songs are shaping up really well and we are looking forward to unleashing them on the world later this year. We do not want to talk too much about the songs now, as they are still in the formative process. But know this… the four of us are creating these songs exactly the way we want with absolute freedom. And only the best of the best of the 17 songs we record will make the album.
We also want to let you know that Slash recently did an interview where he talks about Myles and the upcoming summer tour they will be doing together. The big news is that Slash revealed that they will be playing a few of our songs on tour, along with a song or two from Myles’ upcoming solo project along with some old GNR tunes so you will not want to miss it. Here is a link to the complete interview…
https://www.livedaily.com/news/slash-tickets-and-tour-dates-livedaily-interview-slash-21536.html
Well, that is all for now. Four songs are tracked on guitar so far and today we begin work on song #5. We will leave you with a few photos and be sure to check back for more updates as time allows.
Keep Rocking,
Alter Bridge
---------------------- (with photos)
Brian does some tracking...
(https://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l114/mtremonti571/BrianTracking.jpg)
Mark brings the guitar...
(https://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l114/mtremonti571/MarkTracking.jpg)
Myles contemplates an idea...
(https://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l114/mtremonti571/MylesContemplates.jpg)
Flip's mom posted this:Quote"The last time I talked to Scott he was saying he was so excited about the way the drum tracks had come out. "Fantastic" was the word he used. He also explained to me that with guitars you could adjust the sounds/tones/whatever after they were recorded, but drums were pretty much set so it was really important that they were recorded in such a big room. Not sure I actually understand all that but I'll take his word for it! He's really enthused about the progress of the CD.
They'll be back in Orlando as of this weekend. I think Mark and/or Myles start recording guitar tracks in the Orlando studio on Saturday.
The producer Elvis Baskett, who also produced "Blackbird" said they will be moving to another location to record the vocals. Interesting plan of action. I assume the drums sound better acoustically in a bigger room?
Bigger usually means more roomy sounding drums. So a big room with some huge acoustics will give the drums a nice-as room sound, and means that EQ on individual drums is used a bit more sparingly to bring out the nautrual sound of the drums. But after hearing the last two albums I'd have to say they have nothing to worry about when it comes to drum tone. Total gut-busters.
I just can't wait for this album. For the life of me, I can't understand why they aren't the biggest new rock act in America. Not only are they not in their rightful place, but they could get by simply on the love they are shown in Europe. Just like the American music culture to cast aside raw talent and sheer awesomeness in favor of autotuned bullshit.
"12 Alter Bridge Guitar Tracks done. Tracking 13 and 14 with Tremonti right now."[/quote]
Good question. They pretty much had to buy themselves out of the Wind-Up contract. I don't think they're planning on leaving Universal anytime soon, but I when it's for the album to get release, they will help the guys much better. If it weren't for the internet, this band would be so low on the radar
As much as I agree the Alter Bridge could and should be more popular, I can't say I really want them to be. I like being able to go see them live at smaller clubs instead of arenas.
You're welcome! I love introducing this band to people. :metal
Aren't Tremonti and Petrucci friends?I don't know but I remember hearing tremonti reference petrucci's rock discipline in one of his guitar videos on youtube somewhere
You're welcome! I love introducing this band to people. :metal
TBH, after the horrible taste I had leftover from years of Creed fandom, I didn't give a crap about Alter Bridge until I saw your banner and realized if people who like DT like Alter Bridge, they must be doing something right.
Aren't Tremonti and Petrucci friends?I don't know but I remember hearing tremonti reference petrucci's rock discipline in one of his guitar videos on youtube somewhere
"Finishing the last main guitars with Tremonti and Kennedy today! And starting vocals tonight with Myles!":metal :metal :metal
Mark Tremonti is a guitar player's guitar player. He's a gear head completely (and that is meant in a complimentary way).
Hello Alter Bridge Nation,
We wanted to let you know that our brother in music, Myles Kennedy, sings two amazing songs (titled Back To Cali and Starlight) on Slash’s new, self-titled album and it can now be pre-ordered on iTunes and Amazon.
Here is the link to pre-order on iTunes…
https://itunes.apple.com/us/preorder/slash/id362046305
Here is a link to pre-order on Amazon…
https://www.amazon.com/Slash/dp/B0039OGGVQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1268753435&sr=8-1
We would also like to remind you that Myles will be touring with Slash this summer while the rest of us are touring with Creed. We plan to re-unite as Alter Bridge in October and tour the world, starting in the UK, to support our upcoming album that we are recording right now. We have also been told that, on the Slash tour, Myles will be singing old GNR songs that Slash has not performed since that band broke up. We think that will be worth the price of admission alone. Along with Slash’s new material, we are also told Myles may sing an AB song and possibly debut a song or two from Myles’ own upcoming solo project.
Slash told The Pulse of Radio that he’s really pleased to have Myles Kennedy singing on the tour. “He was one of these sort of youngish rock singers that I wasn’t real familiar with, who is probably one of the best, you know, young new rock singers around,” he said. “There’s actually two songs on the record that he did, and he can basically perform any other songs on the record, plus he knows how to do all the Guns N’ Roses stuff. So it’s worked out nicely.”
So there you have it. Slash knows what we in AB have known for a while. Myles is simply one of the best, if not the best, rock singers around today. And this summer, Slash will also find out what an incredible musician he is as well. That tour will be a sight to behold.
And lastly, we are proud to announce that, last night, Myles finished recording the vocals on song #6 of 17, as the recording of our third album (ABIII) continues. We will update you again as news warrants.
Keep rocking,
Alter Bridge
Universal is still blocking the release. It will not be at any stores until the lawyers work this out so DO NOT go looking for it.
Remember, Alter Bridge wants the DVD/Blu-Ray out, DC-3 is ready to ship and Universal is blocking the whole thing. Our management are still trying to work the situation out. The band and myself are pretty pissed at the label.
Ok. Fuck You Universal.
Why are they blocking it?
Just finished tracking all guitars. Going to be the best AB album to date, dark and heavy. Hoping for September release! Lata..
Update from Mark Tremonti!QuoteJust finished tracking all guitars. Going to be the best AB album to date, dark and heavy. Hoping for September release! Lata..
Aren't Tremonti and Petrucci friends?
Update from Mark Tremonti!QuoteJust finished tracking all guitars. Going to be the best AB album to date, dark and heavy. Hoping for September release! Lata..
As if Blackbird wasn´t sick enough already.
Hopefully they will change up their chorus rythms. There's only so many times you can do the exact same drum beat and very similar chord progression, and tremonti/phillps past that point on the first creed album.
Pretty much just watched a DVD called Alter Bridge Live in Amsterdam. Is this the same DVD we're talking about here? Most of it is on Youtube...
Pretty much just watched a DVD called Alter Bridge Live in Amsterdam. Is this the same DVD we're talking about here? Most of it is on Youtube...
Yea it came out. But they want to release a Blu Ray version and a version with a bunch of backstage and bonus stuff.
But why on earth are they playing every song faster than the album versions? They speed it up so much it's almost losing the groove that is typical for the song.
But why on earth are they playing every song faster than the album versions? They speed it up so much it's almost losing the groove that is typical for the song.
But why on earth are they playing every song faster than the album versions? They speed it up so much it's almost losing the groove that is typical for the song.
But why on earth are they playing every song faster than the album versions? They speed it up so much it's almost losing the groove that is typical for the song.
I didn't notice. But I only watched most of it once, however I did notice that with few exceptions MK kinda wimped out on the vocals, cutting notes short, letting the audience sing parts and just over all lacked the amazingness I expected, though he was good.
All four band members will be very involved in the mixing process. Mark plans on making the trip to NYC to give feedback when the time is appropriate. I'm sure Myles will give feedback via the internet when needed. Remember, this album is like a baby. They will not abandon it in any way and they w...ill nurture it into adulthood (which will be the final version).The cool thing is that the same team who produced and mixed Blackbird are doing this new album as well. So the guys already have a comfort level that all will turn out spectacular."
They definaly are in posession of some huge balls for saying this will top 'Blackbird'.
Yes, ladies and gentlemen... Alter Bridge are finally coming back to rock the UK in October. They are going to start in Glasgow and play eight cities in the UK. A European tour will follow. The UK dates will be announced Monday so check www.alterbridge.com and our Myspace page at www.myspace/alterbridge as they should be put up there first.
The UK will be the first to hear some new, ridiculously awesome tunes. Spread the word!!!
Michael Tremonti
New Alter Bridge October UK Tour Dates
Alter Bridge Set To Return To The UK
For Full October Tour
Third Album To Be Released Later This Year
London 12th April 2010 – Anthemic rockers Alter Bridge have today announced that they will be returning to the UK this October to tour the country once again in support of their forthcoming 3rd studio album (further details tba).
After a hugely successful UK tour in support of their stunning second album ‘Blackbird’ in November 2008, Alter Bridge – Myles Kennedy, Mark Tremonti, Brian Marshall and Scott Philips have been busy. As well as writing a brand new album, they’ve also been pursuing individual projects – Myles has co-written and lent his incredible vocals to 2 tracks from the new album from ex-Guns N Roses Guitarist Slash, which has been met with huge acclaim from both fans and critics alike. Myles is also going to be joining Slash on tour as vocalist when the rock legend tours his new album this summer. Meanwhile, Tremonti, Marshall and Philips have reunited with ex band mate Scott Stapp to reform their previous band Creed and are touring the USA.
But with a brand new album to add to their spectacular arsenal, the band cannot wait to come back to the UK to wow fans up and down the country once again with their captivating blend of crowd pleasing, fist pumping anthems and raw, life affirming ballads. Speaking on the band’s October tour, Myles Kennedy had the following to say
“We can’t wait to get back and share the new songs with our friends in the UK. It’s going to be a great run!”
Make sure you get your ticket to what is guaranteed to be one of the best rock shows you will see in 2010.
OCTOBER 2010
Saturday 16 Glasgow Academy
Sunday 17 02 Academy Newcastle
Tuesday 19 Manchester Academy
Wednesday 20 Nottingham Rock City
Friday 22 Hammersmith HMV Apollo
Saturday 23 Southampton Guildhall
Monday 25 02 Academy Birmingham
Tuesday 26 Bristol Colston Hall
Tickets go onsale 9am on Friday 16th April priced at £17.50 adv reg/ £19.50 adv London (subject to booking fee) and are available from www.livenation.co.uk
"We are proud to offer all of our die-hard fans on the internet the first shot at purchasing tickets to our upcoming show in Antwerp, Belgium on October 28th at Trix. This show will not even be announced to the general public until Monday 04/19 so take advantage of this secret pre-sale.
All you have to do is send an email to biebob@telenet.be with your request. You will then receive an email back with all the details including ticket pricing and pre-sale instructions.
Good luck and do not forget that all of our UK Tour tickets went on-sale today. Make sure to check back here on Monday as we will be announcing the first of our European dates. In addition to Belgium, we will announce dates on Monday from two other countries and there will be more in the future.
Keep Rocking,
Alter Bridge "
Hello Alter Bridge Nation,
We wanted to inform you that we are in New York City overseeing the final mixing of our third album. We are very pleased with what our friend, Brian Sperber, has come up with thus far and we are all working on the finishing touches. The mixing process will be finished in the next few days and then we will be able to live with the final mixes of all seventeen songs for a while. After that, we will decide what songs will make the album, title it and send it off to be mastered. Stay tuned here for the latest news on our forthcoming album. We can not wait to unleash it on the world later this year.
Please remember that tickets are now available for our 2010 tour of the UK and Europe. All of the tour dates and ticket info can be found in the Tour Section at alterbridge.com or on our Myspace page.
Keep rocking,
Alter Bridge
“Been a long road mixing this AB record, finally decided Ted Jensen will do the mastering honors. 1st round sounds great! See you guys soon!”
Hello Alter Bridge Nation,
We are proud to announce that the entire recording process on our third album is completely finished. All of the seventeen songs we worked so hard on have been recorded, painstakingly mixed and we now hold the final mastered versions in our possession. These songs have turned out even better then we could have imagined and we are fiercely proud of the efforts of everyone involved that made our vision a reality.
We want all of our fans to know that we created these songs with no outside influence whatsoever, just like we did with the One Day Remains and Blackbird albums. And, like the Blackbird album, we financed our latest project with our own funds, without the support of our current record label. We want you to know that our artistic vision is never compromised and that the songs you will hear later this year are exactly what we have intended. We can not wait to unleash this new album on the world.
Our management team is working hard on some exciting business opportunities behind the scenes and as soon as they are finished we will be able to give you a clear date on when the album will be released and when the first single will be sent to radio and be available to purchase. We will also be able to give you news on when our long delayed Blu-Ray and Deluxe DVD (Alter Bridge - Live From Amsterdam) will be in stores world-wide. We will update you on all of this as soon as we hear some news.
In the meanwhile, all of us in the band must now decide on the name of the album, finalize the song names (not as easy as you would think) and lastly, and this will be hardest, decide how many and which tracks will make the album. Stay tuned here because as we fit the final pieces of the puzzle together, we will update you as it happens.
That is all the news for now and a big thanks to all you fans who have stuck with us from the start and a big welcome to all you new fans who are just discovering us. We always aim to top our last album and we firmly believe we have done that with this new collection of songs. We are looking forward to hearing what all you fans think so stay tuned and we will update you again as soon as we have some solid news to report.
Keep rocking,
Alter Bridge
Jamesman, they do, and it's so good! But their record label has been giving them a lot of grief on releasing the DVDs, and they have stocks of Deluxe editions and Blu-Rays they are trying to release to the world. Here's a preview they have on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5jKMjLDpWw
I
t's been one hell of a ride for Myles Kennedy since the last Alter Bridge album, 2007's Blackbird. He's jammed with Led Zeppelin when it looked like they may be looking for another singer, recorded a solo album (due 2011) and now he's the singer with Slash's solo band. But he's also found time for his main passion – teaming up with Mark Tremonti again and write a third Alter Bridge record - working title AB III – and due ahead of their UK tour in October.
Here's the full transcript of our chat with Myles about his last couple of years and what we can expect from the next Alter Bridge album.
Have you completed mixing on the new Alter Bridge album?
Myles Kennedy: "We thought we'd completed it, I was in New York last week with the guys and we thought we had it pretty much wrapped up. Then we got it out of there, listened to it and spent some time then realised we wanted to change a few more things. We're definitely a bunch of perfectionists so we're just trying to get it right. It's almost done." [update: the album is now mixed and mastered]
Do you have a release date in mind yet?
"We're pushing for the third quarter – we definitely want to get it out before we tour over there in October."
You've mentioned previously that this is a darker album than the previous two, are you moving into a more progressive territory too?
"Darker from a lyrical standpoint most definitely. Musically, there are definitely moments that have that intensity and have that darkness to it. We try to balance that with the other side of the band, which is that uplifting anthemic vibe.
"Personally I don't think it's a good idea to alienate those fans that like either one side or the other. You want to try your best to make both parties happy. Lyrically it's pretty dark on a lot of the record – it's not like it's mopey, whinny music though. We definitely try to add a sense of dynamics."
Are the themes quite personal on this album for you?
"I guess it is a pretty personal record in some regard. For me personally, over the last few years a lot of things came up – things I started questioning. It deals with a lot of doubts. Doubts in life and all that comes along with it. If you make records personal in that way, it always seems to have a sort of cathartic quality… it's not necessarily the goal it just ends up happening. You work through some things."
Like a release?
"Yes, and it's great."
Have you got any song titles you can reveal to us yet?
"It's funny because a lot of the song titles are working titles so they're absolutely silly. But there's a song called Isolation that I'm sure will make the record and that's a real heavy track. Let's see… we have Show Me A Sign and Ghosts Of Days Gone By is another one that we seem to all really like."
Blackbird was such a landmark song for you – did that make you realise that people were keen to hear more expansive, epic structures from the band?
"It certainly did. That was a really special song, I'll never forget how it felt when we'd completed that. We tapped into something that doesn't come along on every record that's for sure. We were really happy that the people who support us really embraced it as well.
"Going into this record you can make the mistake of trying to top that – we've got to write another Blackbird, we have a song that's better. It would be like when Zeppelin had recorded Stairway To Heaven or Kashmir, asking what's going to be our Kashmir on this record? I don't think you can go at it that way because you'll just be destined for failure. So we just tried to do what we do and there are certainly songs that have an epic vibe.
"There's a song called Slip To The Void, which is fairly long and has more of an epic approach. And I guess for lack of a better term some people might throw the progressive tag on it. I don't know if it necessarily falls into that – a few people have brought that up who have heard it. I don't even know what progressive is anymore to be honest!"
It's a term that gets used a lot these days…
"It really does – bands such as Yes used to fall into that category but now it's very different."
Can we expect more lead interplay between yourself and Mark on this album?
"Yes definitely – there's plenty more of that on this record. The interesting thing on the Blackbird album is I took a lot of the bluesier approach on a song such as Blackbird – more of the David Gilmour approach. Mark has his way of going about it. On this record because a lot of it is pretty intense, for me personally on the solos I ended up playing I got to dig way back… dare I use this word but more of the technical approach. Not necessarily shred but it didn't seem to work when I'd sit there and milk a note forever and think about with more of a bluesy way of thinking.
"I'm definitely doing things I haven't done in a long time as a guitar player. My leads aren't long and drawn out but they're definitely there. My job more than leads, in the context of this band, is adding the textures and the colours. I'm as influenced by the Edge as any other guitar player. I've always love the way he brings a sonic landscape into the mix.
So is Mark refining the metal/blues hybrid style that's become his trademark?
"Well I think Mark is playing the best he's ever played. Seeing him in the dressing room playing four or five hours every day before shows is paying off for him. Without a doubt I think these are his best leads.
"I think he's refined [that style]. That's the beauty of the way he plays – he's got a very signature sound. His vibrato is very unique, even though he always complains about his vibrato, I think it's one of his strengths – you know it's him.
"His arsenal, his theory knowledge has grown quite a bit even in the last three years, so he understands how to play over the changes. When a chord progression is being played under his solo he's landing on a chord note. Which I love, my favourite solos are always where [the player] touches on the chord tones. So he's definitely doing that on this record – not just staying in a certain scale or mode but touching on the changes."
You've both been busy with other records lately – Mark with Creed and yourself with Slash and recording a solo album of your own. Were the Alter Bridge album sessions quite high pressured as a result?
"Mark and I are always writing and stockpiling ideas, so when we got together in early January and started piecing the parts together it wasn't that we had a lack of ideas. Where it was different was as far as the arrangements went, we didn't have as much time as we did on Blackbird to sit there and over analyse everything. So the arrangement process was much more spontaneous and I think that in some respects that can bode well. Because the records that are spontaneous like that tend to sound fresh and you don't get bogged down with overthinking."
Did that come through when it came to dialling in the guitar tones – did it come together pretty quick?
"Really quick, and a lot of that is because of Michael Baskette, Elvis – the guy who produced this record and the last Alter Bridge album. He's fantastic at getting tones. I've worked with him now for ten years, back in the Mayfield Four [Myles' previous band – hear Mayfield Four here ] I saw that gift early on with him and he's just got a great instinct.
"The guitar tones for the most part on the entire record are pretty much what we use live. I used my PRS 245 straight into my Diezel Herbert and my Mesa/Boogie Mk IV and that was pretty much my sound. There were a few parts here and there that called for a Vox or something like that but for the most part that's what I used. And I believe with Mark it was the same thing. Whatever he uses live."
So no changes to your rigs?
"We kept it pretty much the same but I think Mark used a Two-Rock and that's a great sounding amp. It has such an incredible, big round sound. His lead tone sounds really good on this record."
Did you use the PRS McCarty that you nicknamed the Mule on this album?
"I did a little bit but the Mule's been acting up lately! I didn't know what's been going on. I beat it up really bad at a show a couple of years ago and my tech and I have noticed that ever since we did that it hasn't sounded the same. We beat it to death! But the 245 is the main one on this album – a sunburst with a really special sound to it."
What pickups do you have in it?
"I use a Seymour Duncan Custom Custom in that one, it's just a great combination with the scale of that guitar and the mahogany body. It really works, sits nicely in the mix."
We heard that you're a fan of the David Grissom DGT PRS model too?
"I love that guitar – such a classy sounding guitar. I actually discovered it through Dave. We were playing at a PRS event [the annual PRS Experience] and when Dave got up and played I thought, damn that guy's tone is unbelievable. So I asked if I could pick the guitar up and he was really cool about it. It was actually the prototype, because this was a few years ago, and I loved the neck dimensions on it. Everything they did to it has made it a really great lead guitar – it sounds amazing."
Are the guitars exclusively PRS on this album for you both?
"Yes, I believe so, on the electric side. As far as acoustic goes I think we used Taylors."
Are you layering with acoustics or are there any wholly acoustic songs?
"There are a couple of songs that are basically acoustic-driven, I don't know if they'll make the record or not. It's not like we have a stripped down singer/songwriter arrangement on the record, it's all kind of tucked in there with the acoustics."
Mark's become a big fan of T-Rex pedals, have you introduced anything new to your board?
"Yes the guys at T-Rex were kind enough to send some pedals our way and I really like the Mudhoney [overdrive] a lot and that got used for a few of my leads. Other than that I'm just sticking with the tried and true. I've used Fulltone pedals for the last 12 years, I love them. There's a pedal they have called the Ultimate Octave and I've used that on pretty much every record I've played on. The Line 6 blue [MM4 modulation modelling pedal] and green pedal [DL4 delay] are such great workhorses too. I've only had to replace one in the last 10 years of using them, I really like those pedals."
What guitar players have been inspiring you lately?
"I'm always trying to discover new guys to see where people are taking the instrument. I'm a really big fan of Andy McKee – I think he's an amazing acoustic guitar player and he's taken the torch from where Michael Hedges left off. He's an amazing talent. I love Warren Haynes, I think he's brilliant… Derek Trucks too. He's from another planet!"
You've had a very interesting time in period you've been away from Alter Bridge, verging on surreal – you've performed alongside two of your guitar heroes, Jimmy Page and Slash…
"Yes – life has really turned out way different than I ever expected. When I was a kid and listening to Zeppelin and Guns N' Roses, if someone had told me that there would come a time and I would play some of those songs with those people I would never have believed it. Surreal is an understatement. I'm extremely lucky to have been able to play with those guys and learn from those guys. It's been something else man.
"I'm having a great time with Slash right now – he's a great guy and he's really playing better than ever. He's on fire right now."
It sounds like you're very comfortable singing the old Guns N' Roses songs with him. Axl Rose has a very unorthodox vocal style – is it a technical challenge for you?
"It's a challenge singing those songs and I really embrace that. First of all, I love those songs – they're classics and some of the greatest songs ever written. I really work hard to make sure I'm doing the best I can because I know people really want to hear them a certain way. I have respect for the legacy of those songs – I really try to get it right every night. It's a challenge."
And you're performing an Alter Bridge song with Slash too, Rise Today…
"Yes that's been fun. He's cool in that he asked, Do you want to do an Alter Bridge song? Absolutely! I thought that song would fit best. It's really cool hearing him play the solo, I really like it because he improvises and makes it up on the fly. It's really cool to hear him go off on it."
With all this going on, you're understandably holding off until next year to release your first solo album…
"It felt like if I went ahead and put it out this year it would be too much. Basically Slash called right when I was working on the solo record. He called just prior to when I was working on drums and I didn't have any idea where it would all end up as far as two songs on his record, and as far as touring. I wasn't sure what was going to happen as far as timing of putting out the third record. It's all worked out well in that both records are coming out this year but I thought if I put out a third, a solo record in one year people are going to get sick of me real quick."
This solo album will be a departure from hard rock though?
"Yes it is definitely different – more of a singer songwriter approach. It's very different, it's not going to be a hard rock record. I really enjoyed putting that record together – it was maybe the most difficult thing I've ever done in the sense that I didn't have a band.
I was sitting there with Logic and programming everything until I too it to the players. And that's a different way of arranging. It's nice to have people to bounce ideas off but I really wanted to challenge myself – what would happen if you made a record and everything came from your heart and your head?"
Alter Bridge are coming over here to the UK in October, will we be the first to hear the new songs or do you plan a couple of US shows to road test them?
"We don't have anything before we get over there in the middle of October."
The band's always had such a strong connection with the UK – do fans over here get what you're about more than anywhere else? Is there a stronger connection than anywhere else?
"Yes definitely – it's been that way since we first went there six years ago. It's funny because as an artist you play all these different places and you think, people are people so they're going to react in the same way you'd assume. We're all human beings.
But I think a lot of it has to do with what each culture has listened to throughout their lives – rock n' roll has been such a mainstay of the culture in the UK and you guys did it better initially. Even though a lot of the blues-based – the Delta and Chicago – music was what those bands in the 1960s were trying to emulate, it worked out extremely well.
It wrote the blueprint for rock and we're still following that today. People in the UK just get it, they always have and so we'll continue to go there."
Tremonti, bassist Brian Marshall and drummer Scott Phillips, meanwhile, have finished work on the third album by their other band, Alter Bridge, which is due out in late September on Roadrunner, with a European tour starting Oct. 16 and North American dates with Godsmack slated to start in March.
ROADRUNNER? THAT MEANS
-They could do wider tours and even can come here to South America
-They could get more promoted
-And most of all, I COULD BUY THEIR DISCS! I can't find Blackbird or One Day Remains anywhere here.
ROADRUNNER? THAT MEANS
-They could do wider tours and even can come here to South America
-They could get more promoted
-And most of all, I COULD BUY THEIR DISCS! I can't find Blackbird or One Day Remains anywhere here.
Same here, I never see their stuff in the regular record stores. I could buy them online, but I´m a lazy fart, plus I like to buy CD´s when I see them in the store.
Hello Alter Bridge Nation,
We wanted all of you to know that the four of us were together this past weekend (it has been far too long) for a photo-shoot we completed with the incredibly talented photographer, Ashley Maile. The shoot went off without a hitch and it was awesome to re-connect again as friends and to also hear how much fun Myles is having on the Slash Tour. While we are sad we may not see each other again until September, we are very excited for our pending new album release and our upcoming tour of Europe and the UK that begins in October.
We spoke about the album name, number of songs we should have on it and also what the final song names should be. We decided to hold off on a final decision until our management finishes the business side of things and we are cornered into doing so. By all indications, this should be happening fairly soon.
We know rumors are starting to fly but we assure you we will issue a press release here and to the world at large with a ton of exciting information once it is appropriate to do so.
So, stay tuned, and as soon as we have new news that is fit to print (with new photos!), we will let you know.
Keep rocking,
Alter Bridge
Hello Alter Bridge Nation,
We told you that we would give you information as soon as we get it and now we are making good on that pledge. We have decided to name our upcoming album AB III. It is simple yet effective, in our opinion.
We have also chosen which songs will be on the album and we think all of you fans will be very happy about what we chose. We will update this track listing throughout the day so stay tuned to this message for updates.
AB III (Album Title)
Track 1) Slip To The Void
Track 2) Isolation
Track 3) Ghost Of Days Gone By
Track 4) All Hope Is Gone
Track 5) Still Remains
Track 6) Make It Right
Track 7) Wonderful Life
Track 8) I Know It Hurts
Track 9) Show Me A Sign
Track 10) Fallout
Track 11) Breathe Again
Track 12)
Track 13)
Track 14)
Keep Rocking,
Alter Bridge
Read more: https://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=7326114&blogId=538048801#ixzz0w8z9Jdxb
Alter Bridge Have One Good Day: Wake-Up Video
Posted 18 hrs ago by Kyle Anderson in Wake-Up Video
Though their reunion hasn't been met with the sort of enthusiasm they were probably expecting, you cannot underestimate just how big Creed were at their peak. The combination of radio-friendly riffing and post-grunge brooding made songs like "My Own Prison," "With Arms Wide Open," "Higher" and "My Sacrifice" into ubiquitous rock hits. So when frontman Scott Stapp ducked out to pursue a solo career, he left behind a powerful rock trio who decided to continue on as Alter Bridge. They recruited singer Myles Kennedy and released their debut album One Day Remains on this day in 2004.
One Day Remains is one of the great underrated mainstream rock records of the past decade, full of the same sort of charging riffs as the Creed albums without Stapp's Jesus Christ pose posturing. Songs like "Find the Real" and "Metalingus" bring together charging riffs with huge choruses for an over-the-top but undeniable rock stew. Kennedy has one of the best voices in rock music, and he uses it to full effect all over One Day Remains. (His bluesy versatility earned him a spot as the singer on Slash's latest tour, which saw Kennedy shift from Guns N' Roses tunes to Velvet Revolver songs to Slash's latest solo tracks with ease.)
Though a handful of their songs crept into pop culture (WWE wrestler Edge uses "Metalingus" as his entrance music, and the band played "Open Your Eyes" at the 2005 Major League Baseball All-Star Game), they never truly enjoyed a massive hit. But the aforementioned "Open Your Eyes" is a truly spectacular rock song, full of angst, sadness and redemption folded into its shout-along chorus.
Speaking of which, MTV just did an article on ODR, calling it "one of the great underrated mainstream rock records of the past decade." There's a video of them playing an acoustic version of Open Your Eyes on the link below.
https://newsroom.mtv.com/2010/08/10/alter-bridge-one-day-remains/QuoteAlter Bridge Have One Good Day: Wake-Up Video
Posted 18 hrs ago by Kyle Anderson in Wake-Up Video
Though their reunion hasn't been met with the sort of enthusiasm they were probably expecting, you cannot underestimate just how big Creed were at their peak. The combination of radio-friendly riffing and post-grunge brooding made songs like "My Own Prison," "With Arms Wide Open," "Higher" and "My Sacrifice" into ubiquitous rock hits. So when frontman Scott Stapp ducked out to pursue a solo career, he left behind a powerful rock trio who decided to continue on as Alter Bridge. They recruited singer Myles Kennedy and released their debut album One Day Remains on this day in 2004.
One Day Remains is one of the great underrated mainstream rock records of the past decade, full of the same sort of charging riffs as the Creed albums without Stapp's Jesus Christ pose posturing. Songs like "Find the Real" and "Metalingus" bring together charging riffs with huge choruses for an over-the-top but undeniable rock stew. Kennedy has one of the best voices in rock music, and he uses it to full effect all over One Day Remains. (His bluesy versatility earned him a spot as the singer on Slash's latest tour, which saw Kennedy shift from Guns N' Roses tunes to Velvet Revolver songs to Slash's latest solo tracks with ease.)
Though a handful of their songs crept into pop culture (WWE wrestler Edge uses "Metalingus" as his entrance music, and the band played "Open Your Eyes" at the 2005 Major League Baseball All-Star Game), they never truly enjoyed a massive hit. But the aforementioned "Open Your Eyes" is a truly spectacular rock song, full of angst, sadness and redemption folded into its shout-along chorus.
Track 10) FalloutLike The Mayfield Four first album title, as well as title track?
I'm pretty damn excited for all of you to hear AB III. I think epic is the correct word. I think it is safe to say that from the second this album starts, you will be surprised. And I think that by the time the first song is over that surprise will turn into elation. The Alter Bridge sound is unmistakable, yet these guys have presented it in a fresh way on every song on this album. The album is a dark descent at times. Eerie at others. Heart-breaking yet beautiful in one particular song. It is a journey through almost madness that reaches for the light by the end. Well, almost the end. That final song is a stunner.
I can not overstate the fact that the sheer amount of music and incredible melodies packed within this 14 track album is immense. Without a doubt, the band took every single great idea that sprang from years of writing and created a work of art.
Some more nuggets of info...
1) Show Me A Sign is, quite possibly, even more epic than Words Darker Than Their Wings. Solos by both Mark and Myles. And it is very dark. Case in point... one of the lyrics is "To the dark, I am born." Incredible ending by Flip on the drums!
2) Myles lets his voice fly on Breathe Again, in stunning fashion. I'm not sure if the part in Breathe Again or the vocal gymnastics he does at the end of Words Darker Than Their Wings is more impressive.
3) The guitar line that Mark opens up Ghost Of Days Gone By with is pretty unique. I truly have not heard anything like it and Myles told Mark that it could be the best part he has ever written. What he is doing sounds pretty complex, yet beautiful and I can not wait to see him play it just so I can see how he does it. And I do not want my talking about the opening guitar to overshadow the song itself. It is an absolute monster!
4) Isolation will crush you like a bug. Without a doubt, this song is pure bone-crunching metal and aggressive in a way you have not seen before by Alter Bridge. Harder than White Knuckles.
5) In my opinion, all four band members shine on this album brighter than ever before. Again, this album was constructed to take the listener on a hell of a ride so be sure to listen to it all the way through when you get it in order to get the full effect.
YOU KNOW WHAT? FUCK THE WELL-MANNERED POSTING.Quote... one of the lyrics is "To the dark, I am born."
I just found this monster video of the band playing "Find The Real" on Leno back in 2004. This is such a great performance, and Tremonti is a monster on that gee-tar
https://marktremonti.net/video.php?vid=32
I just found this monster video of the band playing "Find The Real" on Leno back in 2004. This is such a great performance, and Tremonti is a monster on that gee-tar
https://marktremonti.net/video.php?vid=32
Roadrunner Records are delighted to welcome American rock band ALTER BRIDGE to the family. The band will be represented by Roadrunner worldwide, with the exception of North America (an announcement regarding North America will be released in the near future). Since they formed in 2004, Alter Bridge have built a loyal fan-base through relentless touring and their stellar live performances, selling more than a million albums and in the process becoming one of the most respected rock bands in the world.
Grammy-winning songwriter/guitarist Mark Tremonti comments, "There is a real sense of excitement in the Alter Bridge camp to be able to partner-up with Roadrunner. With their proven track record worldwide and the hard work we have put in touring internationally, it seems like the perfect combination." Wally van Middendorp, Roadrunner’s Snr VP International, states, “I am extremely pleased that we have added Alter Bridge to our international artist roster and I am confident the band will reach the next level with their upcoming record.”
Alter Bridge’s first release with Roadrunner will be their forthcoming third studio album, succinctly titled AB III. Set for release on October 11 with Michael “Elvis” Baskette producing, the band – completed by vocalist/guitarist/songwriter Myles Kennedy (who also fronts Slash’s touring band), bassist Brian Marshall, and drummer Scott Phillips - recently unveiled the song titles on their official website at https://www.alterbridge.com/ and also on their Myspace page at https://www.myspace.com/alterbridge. The full track listing is set to be:
1. Slip To The Void
2. Isolation
3. Ghost Of Days Gone By
4. All Hope Is Gone
5. Still Remains
6. Make It Right
7. Wonderful Life
8. I Know It Hurts
9. Show Me A Sign
10. Fallout
11. Breathe Again
12. Coeur D’Alene
13. Life Must Go On
14. Words Darker Than Their Wings
The band will hit the road as soon as the album hits the shelves. Alter Bridge kick off an extensive European tour in Glasgow on October 16. Including 8 UK shows, the jaunt will wrap up in Italy in December. Tickets are on sale and selling fast for the following UK dates:
Sat 16th Oct - GLASGOW O2 Academy SOLD OUT
Sun 17th Oct - NEWCASTLE O2 Academy
Tue 19th Oct - MANCHESTER Academy SOLD OUT
Wed 20th Oct - NOTTINGHAM Rock City
Fri 22nd Oct - LONDON Hammersmith HMV Apollo
Sat 23rd Oct - SOUTHAMPTON Guildhall
Mon 25th Oct - BIRMINGHAM O2 Academy
Tue 26th Oct - BRISTOL Colston Hall
faemir?
:|
I got boosh'd by sneakyblueberry :lol
I hope they didn't give us the heaviest song. I like the song plenty, but if the rest all sound like standard alterbridge, I'm gonna be upset.
This band is starting to revive feelings that I had for a band when I discovered Queensryche back in 1987. Seriously. I've become a hardcore over the past year with Alter Bridge.
Mark Tremonti is very big on melodies. He said that the melody is one of the most important components of a song, and that there’s no point in being heavy just for the sake of being heavy. I think some of the greatest guitar players imo write great melodies....even the likes of Petrucci who writes complex songs, his songs have those melodic elements. As someone who listens to Alter Bridge religiously, this is a much different chorus that they've done, and it works well with the song. I've been getting my good share of Isolation.... not too much, cuz i want AB III to kick my ass all the way through come October. I have no doubt this will be a very good, if not, great album.
That's weird I could have sworn I saw that they signed up with roadrunner somewhere...They signed with Roadrunner UK for everything outside the US
That's weird I could have sworn I saw that they signed up with roadrunner somewhere...They signed with Roadrunner UK for everything outside the US
damn this song is pretty sick! Loving the dark heavy riffs :metal
damn this song is pretty sick! Loving the dark heavy riffs :metal
I'm not hearing anything very dark. It's pretty standard energy focused metal. The chorus is even almost upbeat.
https://www.roadrunnerrecords.co.uk/
https://www.roadrunnerrecords.co.uk/
I realize now that my post simply looks like a link to the roadrunner homepage. What I was linking to was the huge countdown clock they have on their mainpage. Mad props to roadrunner for making me even more psyched than normal.
I guess it's not available to download until 4 p.m. UK time, which is 11 a.m. Eastern. Apparently the countdown is messed up depending on what time zone you're in, mine shows that it won't be available until noon eastern time.https://www.roadrunnerrecords.co.uk/
I realize now that my post simply looks like a link to the roadrunner homepage. What I was linking to was the huge countdown clock they have on their mainpage. Mad props to roadrunner for making me even more psyched than normal.
There's no fucking link to the free song!!
I guess it's not available to download until 4 p.m. UK time, which is 11 a.m. Eastern. Apparently the countdown is messed up depending on what time zone you're in, mine shows that it won't be available until noon eastern time.https://www.roadrunnerrecords.co.uk/
I realize now that my post simply looks like a link to the roadrunner homepage. What I was linking to was the huge countdown clock they have on their mainpage. Mad props to roadrunner for making me even more psyched than normal.
There's no fucking link to the free song!!
So i got U.S. radio release date for Isolation and Record Label details for ya
Isolation will be released on the radio Oct. 25 on Alter Bridge Records/Capitol
https://fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=16697
So they are doing what Dream Theater should have done a long time ago.... produce their own record having someone else distribute it.
I really wish the US label was Roadrunner though....
Hello Alter Bridge Nation,
I have been told by management that the USA version of AB III will contain two of the bonus tracks, Hope and Zero. My understanding is that they will be on all the albums no matter where you buy it. I should have more info soon.
Both of those songs just made a dark album even darker but they are both awesome tunes so I am glad the USA fans will get to hear these.
I think For What May Never Come will be on the Japanese version.
-Michael Tremonti
Australia - 8th October
I heard that since Myles is singing with slash, that he quit AB and is being replaced by Scott Stap. They plan on changing their name, but they aren't quite sure what to change it to.
That wonderful life song sounds really promising. Tons of really cool riffs I'm hearing there, but jesus cock I'm getting bored of the tremonti chorus.
I'm listening just now, only heard Slip To The Void and Ghosts Of Days Gone By so far though, it takes a while for each one to load.
Slip To The Void was awesome though. One listen and I'd say it could be better than Isolation and Words Darker Than Their Wings. I could hardly believe it was Alter Bridge at the beginning.
Don't get me wrong, I love the band. I have every creed and AB album and their respective DVD's. He's a major influence on my guitar playing as well. But when so many of your choruss' have almost identical rhythms, it gets a little hard to ignore. If you seriously can't hear the similarities between so many creed chorus's (guitar, bass and drums) and AB chorus's, then I dunno. Am I alone on this one?
this might be the most incredible musical journey I've ever taken.
You guys have to hear this album. Start to finish it is absolutely incredible. Taking into account that it's not technically a concept album, this might be the most incredible musical journey I've ever taken. I am really looking forward to going running and getting some alone time with this album.He speaks the truth.
So how is the pirate song, "All Hope Is Gone"? I'm really curious to see how they integrated pirate-like music into the song. They've always managed to have some sort of classical music overlay in at least one of their songs on each album so far ( The End Is Here on ODR and Wayward One on Blackbird)
So how is the pirate song, "All Hope Is Gone"? I'm really curious to see how they integrated pirate-like music into the song. They've always managed to have some sort of classical music overlay in at least one of their songs on each album so far ( The End Is Here on ODR and Wayward One on Blackbird)
I never heard that before, but you can hear it. The main riff that starts gives a slight feel, but then Myles comes in with a lyrical structure that is very reminiscent of some old pirate sea shanties (sp?).
I feel like I need to express how awesome the album both begins and ends. The three songs that start (Slip To The Void, Isolation, Ghosts of Days Gone By) and finish (Coeur D'Alene, Life Must Go On, Words Darker Than Their Wings) the album are so absolutely amazing and are easily the songs that stand out the most to me.
Those. I miss an epic song like Blackbird (Which may be their best song to date, maybe), but the album overall is OK (However they've got to be careful if they don't want their sound to become monotonous in their next releases). Amazing opener and closer, and the first and last three tracks are incredible (Except for Isolation :P) and are the best them of the album, along with Still Remains and Fallout. It's still far from my favorite 2010 album so far (Anathema's We're Here Because We're Here) But it's a pretty good album. Might be listening a lot to it these days. Alter Bridge STILL ROCKS :metal .after spending some more time with it I can safely say that while I feel like it doesn't really break any new ground for them, I really like the new album :tup
This. They didn't exactly venture too far outside their "box", but this is a good album and I'm enjoying it. Opens and closes very strong, with a few weaker tracks in the middle.
-J
after spending some more time with it I can safely say that while I feel like it doesn't really break any new ground for them, I really like the new album :tup
Sorry if I spoil anything but seriously, the one moment that gives me shivers down my spine:
I DON'T WANNA DIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Sorry if I spoil anything but seriously, the one moment that gives me shivers down my spine:This could be the last time you see me alive?
I DON'T WANNA DIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Listened to the new album a few times. My first impressions are that it's good, but it's lacking the two or three amazing tracks that the first two albums had. Maybe some more listens will help something stand out.
Listened to the new album a few times. My first impressions are that it's good, but it's lacking the two or three amazing tracks that the first two albums had. Maybe some more listens will help something stand out.
The "secret" project I have been working on with Avi and Jonathan for AB. Many more to come....
Only 3 albums, and none are really "those ones in the discography that aren't good".
Probably the album Blackbird. It's their best one in my opinion, and you'll get a pretty good idea of their style from it.
One Day Remains if you want to start at the beginning.
AB III if you want to check out their most recent first.
true.Only 3 albums, and none are really "those ones in the discography that aren't good".
Probably the album Blackbird. It's their best one in my opinion, and you'll get a pretty good idea of their style from it.
One Day Remains if you want to start at the beginning.
AB III if you want to check out their most recent first.
I always loved the thought of a newb listening to Alter Bridge for the first time turning on One Day Remains and hearing "Find The Real" as their first experience with AB. Followed by the title track! My point is this: If you love kick ass rock music, you should love Alter Bridge. That being said, take it all in from the beginning. Hear the musical evolution. Then you can ask yourself, "Why is this band not the biggest thing in rock music?"
All ABIII does is solidify their status as a kick ass rock band. It sure as hell isn't better than Blackbird or ODR.
I don't one album is better than the otherwat
I don't thinkone album is better than the otherwat
Eh.
I mean, that's really cool that Slash got on stage for Alter Bridge and not vice versa. But i never like it when Slash played Rise Today during his solo tour. Plus that solo he did at the end was just...bad. Mark slays that solo with his eyes closed. I sure getting a chance to play on stage with Slash was exciting for Mark, though
Whoever said you could have your cake and eat it too must have been talking about Mark Tremonti. The high-speed player recently returned to Creed for a reunion tour where they played big arenas all over the country. And on the other side of the musical spectrum he has Alter Bridge, the group fronted by Myles Kennedy – the singer Slash has tapped to go out on the road with him – playing in theaters and intimate clubs all over the UK and Europe. He has just completed recording AB III, Alter Bridge’s third album, and has plans to tour with them as well as return to the road with Creed at the beginning of 2011.
So, Tremonti has it all. But it’s not an easy task balancing the two bands and forging a unique identity within each one. He talked about that in this lengthy interview where he revealed what it feels like to win the lottery – twice.
UG: Mark, when we last spoke you had said, “The biggest challenges I’ve had since breaking up the first time,” talking about Creed, “was having Alter Bridge not sound like Creed. Now the challenge is, since we have all this new experience over the last six years were we’ve really come a long way as musicians and songwriters, is to not song like Alter Bridge when Creed got back together.“
Mark Tremonti: Right. When we did the Full Circle record, you know, we kinda dipped into the waters… how can I put this? You know, the new tricks along the way that we had learned over those last six years. We wanted to show that we had growth in Creed, but not necessarily going too much in the direction of the Alter Bridge sound. You know, the Alter Bridge sound is just a little heavier, more complex, and we wanted a little bit of that to come across on the Creed record. I think maybe there’s about three songs off the Creed record that could get somewhat into the Alter Bridge territory. But for the most part with the addition of Myles in Alter Bridge on the guitar, layering, and just the difference in vocals make it just sound so different that I think it’s safer now for us to experiment a little more with Creed without worrying about that as much.
Could we talk more about how the Creed thing came about? One of the things you had said to me was, “We were selling millions of records but it was no fun at all.” I understand things were a little uncomfortable when things broke up, but how did the overture come to sit back down with Scott? Were you basically open to the idea from the start?
Yeah, I think it just was a matter of us taking the time apart and growing up a little bit. Everybody, you know, me and Scott Phillips our drummer, all had kids. I think looking back on all the years, it’s easier to recognize the success you had when you step out of that band and go somewhere else. It’s just that much more difficult. You see how it is, the kind of struggle that most bands have out there, and then you realize just how well you had it and how much of a shame it would be just to throw away being able to tour arenas and amphitheaters and to live that kind of touring lifestyle. You know, it’s fun. Now we have to go out and do that with Creed here in the States for the most part and in Europe go back to the theaters and the big clubs and whatnot with Alter Bridge and really get the best of both worlds.
So what were those first sort of rehearsal sessions like? What did it feel like? Was it like being back with your buddies? Did it take a little bit of getting used to one another again?
When we got back together we really didn’t rehearse for the tour as much as we tried to rush getting a record done. We had talked about just doing a summer tour and then we decided if we’re gonna go for it we might as well do it the right way and get an album out there to support the tour. Just show people that we wanted to stay relevant and not just a band that relies on their legacy, you know, of the past and all the radio tunes that we have. We wanted to have something new out there. So we gave ourselves a real short period of time to get it done since the tour was already scheduled. So essentially we pretty much had three months to write, record and rehearse for a tour, so it was a lot of work. But you know, me, Scott and Brian have been together for so long that it’s easy for us to get into a room and arrange a song. We would do two or three songs a day sometimes and then Scott would go home and work on lyrics. He’d come in the next day and we’d say, “Hey, check out these three songs we got put together.” We’d work like that ‘till we got to the studio, I think, with fifteen or sixteen songs.
A lot of the stuff we were coming up with, me and Scott would sit down and… he writes lyrics like poetry. You know, he’ll break out 40 pages of lyrics and we’d throw them out on the table and me and him would go through them and I’d kinda try and single out which lyrics would fit the melodies right and he would choose his favorite lyrics. We would just kind of put ‘em together the same day as we’d be recording them. So it was different then we’d ever done it but the excitement in the studio, something so new and fresh, kinda comes through on the recording. You know, if we’d had all the time in the world we’d of done it different, but I think for the time that we had it worked out alright.
"We wanted to show that we had growth in Creed, but not necessarily going too much in the direction of the Alter Bridge sound."
So what were those first shows like? Being back out on the road and doing some of the big songs and the new songs? How did that feel?
Well, the first show is always nerve wracking because you haven’t done it in so many years. We really didn’t rehearse but maybe two or three days with all of us. You know, with all the time we were in the studio we didn’t allow ourselves much time to rehearse for the tour. So we had to kind of rely on muscle memory and practicing on our own to really get it. You know, this last tour was plug and play. We’re very well versed with the sets at this point so it was much easier now, much more fun. You can relax and have a good show. But, you know, first couple of weeks of the first tour last year were just making sure the production and the show and your personal performance and everything was right. You had to concentrate more, which is not as fun as letting it flow, but we got there after a few weeks.
So this new tour this year is the 20-10 tour?
Yeah, I think our performances were much better on this tour. Everybody got real comfortable with the set. I think this tour was a lot better than last year’s tour.
I’ve heard talks of South America next year? Would you be up for another Creed tour?
Yeah, we were talking to promoters down in South America and we’re just kind of waiting on the business folks to figure out something that makes sense for us. You know, Myles is gonna be busy next year on and off with Slash, which gives us time to see what falls in the gaps. I’m also gonna work on putting out a solo project myself. So if I don’t have a Creed tour going on and Myles is out with Slash, I’ll be piecing together an album just ‘cause I don’t like sitting idle, you know?
Certainly it’s in the early stages, but can you comment at all about this solo record you might be doing?
Well, I’m a songwriter, and I’ve got a ton of material sitting around and I just wanna get it recorded. I dunno, I’ve got a couple of guys that I’m working with. Eric Friedman and Garrett Whitlock. Eric Friedman on guitar, he plays guitar on the Creed tours with me; pretty much the little brother I never had. I’ve been real close with him for years now. He’s a real talented player. We get together and record all the demos. And Garrett Whitlock used to play in a band called Submersed. He’s a great drummer. And I’ll be singing and playing guitar. So it will be an experiment but we’ll see how it works out.
How would it be positioned in terms of what Creed and Alter Bridge are doing?
We put together about five songs at this point. Mostly melody driven; some heavier stuff. It’s tuned down a little lower ‘cause I’ve got a lower voice. So everything’s down at least a whole step. A lot of stuff’s tuned down to C, so that lends to a nice heavy guitar sound. But we’ll see. It’s not all gonna be heavy. It’s either gonna be heavy or melodic, one of the two. Probably a mixture of both.
When we spoke last you’d mentioned when you came up with the track “Blackbird,” that that sort of became the anchor song for that album. That you were now able to build this record around this song, that it was such a strong song. Can you look at a song off the new record as being that anchor track? Might it be “Isolation,” the first single?
I think “Isolation” is just a fun, heavy rock song. It’s gonna be a fun live song. Just an energetic tune. But I think there’s other songs on the record that are much deeper, you know. My favorite song on the record is “Show Me a Sign.”
Really?
Yeah, that’s the one that gets the most emotion out of me. But on the ballad side of things, and on the emotional side of when you hear a song and it really move you, I think “Wonderful Life” is about as emotional as it gets for Alter Bridge. When we were writing this record I was really pushing in the direction of let’s not chase down radio singles. Let’s keep everything as artistic as possible and not conform in any way, shape or form. Then the last week of pre-production came around and our producer and a couple of the guys in the band and everybody’s talking and we’re like, “We’ve got the heavy stuff, we got the long, epic kind of rock song, all the moody stuff. Let’s try to come up with something a little more light-hearted, a little less heavy, just to make the album dynamic.”
At first I was a little against it but then I’m glad I went with it because a song like “Wonderful Life” came out and now it’s one of my favorite songs on the record.
There are some acoustic guitars in there and certainly the picking thing is really one of the more identifiable elements of your playing. The guitar playing on the record seemed a little more seamless. You talked about not going after the radio single, and your playing reflects that. Was it a conscious thing to bring the playing to a new level?
You know, I’m just always practicing, always playing. Every record that comes out you’ve got a few years in between of growth. I think of this last cycle, it’s just what I’ve learned in the past three years since the last Alter Bridge record. We’d be piecing together a song, and wherever the solo [fit] we would just kinda go into it. It was never a planned thing. We know in Alter Bridge that solos are definitely a part of the sound. If there are no solos on the record it just wouldn’t be Alter Bridge. That’s one thing that kind of separated us at first from the Creed sound. I dunno, I just try to go in different directions with the guitar. I grew up trying to play as fast as I could. I really didn’t have any feel or vibrato, and really any class to my soloing. I’ve always been a melody writer, so I just thought, “Why don’t I really try to get into learn better phrasing and trying to play some more blues and jazz.” Just try and get my feel and phrasing and class up my guitar a bit, that’s all I’ve been working on.
Where do you think that happened? Did it happen with the Creed stuff? With the first AB record? Could you feel the shift away from the kind of shred thing to this more melodic style of playing?
I think in the last four years is when I really stopped trying to, you know, play individual licks as fast and as clean as I could. Now I’m just trying to improvise as much as I can, which makes a huge difference in my playing. I think every guitar player should, you know, if they’re playing for an hour a day, spend half that time improvising. So I think it’s the most important thing for me at this point. I think there’s a lot of learning you have to do before you can just sit down with a guitar and improvise. But I think I was at the level where I had all the road maps on the guitar: I know all my scales; I knew what fit where. And it was a good time to just apply and let it flow. ‘Cause at the end of the day I wanna be able to get called up on the stage by any kind of band or guitar players or whatnot and be able to just improvise my way through it. Before when I was younger there was no way in the world that I could do that [laughs.]
I remember talking to Myles and he’s like, “Man, you spend all this time doing all the painful, horrible stuff that I hate to do and you never have fun with the guitar and just play.” He didn’t realize that the painful stuff that he didn’t like was fun for me. I like setting the metronome and playing the same thing for an hour to make sure it’s perfect. I guess half the guys are like that and half the guys just say, “Screw it. I’m just gonna improvise and see what happens.” Those guys get better feel and better at improvising, and that’s what I’m really going after these days.
You bring up a really great point. I don’t wanna bash anybody out there, but I think most of the bands tend to lean a little more on the shred/solo thing as opposed to integrating the guitar as an orchestral tool and the improvising thing. I don’t hear a lot of it. We don’t have to name names, but do you hear guys kinda going more after sheer technique than style or character?
I think most people my age or younger are mainly relying on technique and stuff that they’ve pre-learned. You know, when we play live I’ll play the solos like they are on the record; maybe little changes here or there to make it flow better. But just in general when I’m playing alone and trying to become a better player that’s when I’ll throw the improvisation in there. I think most bands you hear on the radio, there’s not a whole lot of improvisation going on. I think the best guitar players are the ones that do it. I mean, a guy like Joe Bonamassa, that guy can improvise for days and sound like it’s the best-written solo in the world. That’s how I wanna be. That’s the kind of style I’m after. I’m after the Warren Haynes; I’m after the Audley Freed. I’m after Robben Ford, Larry Carlton, these guys that have an endless bag of tricks.
Interesting, because all these guys you describe aren’t really “rock” guitar players. I mean, Joe is, but he’s really more of a blues guy and Larry’s more of that jazz thing. These kinds of players are where you’re taking your input?
Yeah. Right now as we speak I’m learning “Up the Line” by Robben Ford, which I’ve been able to pull outta there a lot of great ideas. Usually he’s real jazzy but on this tune he’s more, you can use it for rock and roll; he stays mostly pentatonic but he does it in a way I’ve never really seen it before. He comes up with stuff that you’re just like, “Wow, that’s something different. I wanna learn that.” But at the same time I’ll learn a Robben Ford song and I’ll realize if I spend a month mastering this song, I wanna throw a different style in there as well, so I’ll learn a Michael Schenker song. So I’m learning “Rock Bottom” at the same time. Just trying to keep it mixed up. You know, you fall into one guy, one player, one style too much and I think you start losing sight of the big picture.
A song like “Ghost of Days Gone By” almost has that country feel in the verse. And again, the solo was great; very melodic. Was that sorta of the moment?
That song is in open D5 tuning. It lets you come up with crazy, different voicings. You know, you can’t go and play your pentatonic scale on a D5 tuning ‘cause it scrambles it all up. So it’s a great way to create something that sounds very different. I was just experimenting with it and I’ve kinda gotten used to that tuning where I’m comfortable with it now but I can still stumble on to new territory and try to come up with cool new chord voicings and whatnot and I found a nice chord in that solo that I just could arpeggiate in the middle. That’s probably my favorite part of the solo.
What about a song like “Make it Right.” Again, kind of more acoustic stuff with a really great solo over the outro. Sounds like you’re doing some of those Hendrix two-string pulls kinda moving up. Was that just kinda going in there and press record and kinda going for one?
“Make it Right” was from the first round of writing we did. Probably a good four months or so before we got back together to finish writing, and I improvised the solo. We were just putting the song back together for the first time and it kinda just stuck with me. ‘Cause there’s something magical sometimes when you improvise the solo and you’re in the moment, and I just went back and pretty much three quarters of that solo is from that first tape of the improvised solo I did when we first wrote the song. It was one of those things where why fix it if it ain’t broke?
There is a fair amount of acoustics on the record. I mean, you’ve always been kind of an acoustic guy, right?
Well, I do a lot of writing on acoustic. We layered on the songs where it made sense; we would layer some acoustic underneath, you know, when you have a verse that’s arpeggiated or whatnot, we would always put some acoustics underneath it.
We’d talked during our first interview about wanting to integrate Myles more into the process in terms of his guitar playing and his contributions on guitar. Do you think you brought him into the AB thing on this record in the way that you wanted to?
Oh, yeah. Ever since the first record he’s been a hundred percent in on the guitar playing of both the last two records and it makes a huge difference. On this record we didn’t have a whole lotta time to live with the songs and rehearse ‘em a lot. It was pretty much write and go into pre-production. When I was writing my guitar lines for this record I wrote as if I was the only player, like it was a Creed record. Not like it was a Creed record, but I played like I was gonna cover all the guitar parts with my one guitar. Probably make it sound as big and dynamic and full as possible. Then when Miles comes in, he had such a different style than me, that it just maybe gives it almost like a 3D quality to me. It adds a whole other layer and he’s got a really good way of not ever crowding things or making things sound cluttered at all. It always sounds much better when he puts his parts down. Him and Elvis [Baskette; producer] are very good at getting in there and throwing down a 100 different pedals and effects and just coming up with cool sounds. I still don’t know what the hell they did ‘cause I wasn’t in there when they did his guitar parts, but every time I’d hear one I’d love it.
I haven't listen to album in awhile only because i want it to be somewhat fresh when I get my hardcopy on Tuesday. It's definitely a departure from the previous albums, but it don't think it's a bad thing at all. The music is still fantastic. I don't really mind the production value, as long as the music hits me.
I haven't listen to album in awhile only because i want it to be somewhat fresh when I get my hardcopy on Tuesday. It's definitely a departure from the previous albums, but it don't think it's a bad thing at all. The music is still fantastic. I don't really mind the production value, as long as the music hits me.
I only heard samples, but it didn't sound like much of a departure to me.
Seeing the guys live tomorrow in Amsterdam, pretty psyched!JEALOUS!!!
Curious as to how the new tracks will sound live. Hopefully more organic than on the record. What an ugly rythm guitar sound, the riffs are some of the fattest Tremonti has put on tape, but it's just not sounding badass. ABIII literally has nothing, after 20 listens, that I want to come back for. Soundwise and songwriting wise, it sounds like they've gone from multi-facetted, inspiring, positive and SOULFUL rock music, to a one-dimensional, depressive hardrock/metal style. Those choruses are becoming so incredibly annoying after a while. And why does every chorus have to be harmonized? It's just all too much, can't really find myself in this one unfortunately.
Hoping to hear as much epic ODR/Blackbird material as possible, with some of the better material from ABIII - see if it's better live.
'Isolation' definately has the grooviest metal riff of the year. So that's cool I guess! :biggrin:
Seeing the guys live tomorrow in Amsterdam, pretty psyched!JEALOUS!!!
Curious as to how the new tracks will sound live. Hopefully more organic than on the record. What an ugly rythm guitar sound, the riffs are some of the fattest Tremonti has put on tape, but it's just not sounding badass. ABIII literally has nothing, after 20 listens, that I want to come back for. Soundwise and songwriting wise, it sounds like they've gone from multi-facetted, inspiring, positive and SOULFUL rock music, to a one-dimensional, depressive hardrock/metal style. Those choruses are becoming so incredibly annoying after a while. And why does every chorus have to be harmonized? It's just all too much, can't really find myself in this one unfortunately.
Hoping to hear as much epic ODR/Blackbird material as possible, with some of the better material from ABIII - see if it's better live.
'Isolation' definately has the grooviest metal riff of the year. So that's cool I guess! :biggrin:
was going but couldn't because of school.
If you could buy me a shirt or something Id pay you back and you'd be my hero
its okaySeeing the guys live tomorrow in Amsterdam, pretty psyched!JEALOUS!!!
Curious as to how the new tracks will sound live. Hopefully more organic than on the record. What an ugly rythm guitar sound, the riffs are some of the fattest Tremonti has put on tape, but it's just not sounding badass. ABIII literally has nothing, after 20 listens, that I want to come back for. Soundwise and songwriting wise, it sounds like they've gone from multi-facetted, inspiring, positive and SOULFUL rock music, to a one-dimensional, depressive hardrock/metal style. Those choruses are becoming so incredibly annoying after a while. And why does every chorus have to be harmonized? It's just all too much, can't really find myself in this one unfortunately.
Hoping to hear as much epic ODR/Blackbird material as possible, with some of the better material from ABIII - see if it's better live.
'Isolation' definately has the grooviest metal riff of the year. So that's cool I guess! :biggrin:
was going but couldn't because of school.
If you could buy me a shirt or something Id pay you back and you'd be my hero
Damn, sorry dude. I just got back from Amsterdam (spent the night there), and now I'm reading your request. They did have awesome ABIII shirts, easily some of the coolest bandshirts I've seen.
The show was great obviously, I was particulary pleased with the amount of Blackbird material, which was more than half of that album.
Setlist, somewhat in order:
Slip to the Void (works great as an opener)
Before Tomorrow Comes
Buried Alive
All Hope Is Gone (the best live song from the new record)
Broken Wings (One of the highlights)
Brand New Start
White Knuckles
Ghosts of Days Gone By
Coming Home
Metalingus
Come to Life
Hallelujah
Blackbird
One Day Remains
Watch Over You (acoustic - great)
I Know it Hurts
Coeur D'alene
Ties That Bind
Open Your Eyes
Isolation (This one wasn't that great.. like the studio version though)
Encore:
Rise Today (awesome as an encore, and one of my favorite straight-forward AB songs)
Pro's:
Blackbird, the song. Presented as the centerpiece of their live show, and it's definately their greatest achievement. The solo section was built up very well, just like the studio version.
Good sound
Lots of songs
Awesome vocals
Awesome guitar solos
Great stage presence - enough interaction with the crowd. They definately got this down, and it's 50% of the show. I feel Myles' makes a compromise between his singing and his showmanship. But he's still amazing, and showmanship is very important for these kind of bands.
It's Alter Bridge, ofcourse they're great live!
Cons:
Hallelujah (Everybody has been doing it, and honestly the only really good version I can think of is Buckley's)
Some Blackbird material is still played way too fast, especially Ties That Bind, wtf.
Weird chorus-like effect over Myles' vox during the entire gig. It was especially noticable during the acoustic songs. A similar vocal effect I noticed on Muse's latest tour. Maybe it's to fatten up the vocals so that they don't get buried under the massive wall of guitars?
NO 'FIND THE REAL'!
Minor thing: After a couple of hours, you've had your fair share of loud guitars and epic choruses.
Yeah, they exceeded my expectations.Epic
Upon us returning from the gig, my mother became curious to actually give them a good listen. I used to play them once in a while, but that was mostly as background music. So I put on 'Blackbird', and she recognised most of the songs; but now she was really listening.
She was floored by 'Brand New Start' and 'Watch Over You', and the title track had her in tears. Happened to me too, the first time I gave it a full-attention listen.
She just came to me, gave me 20 euros and said, 'Order a copy for me, it stays either here in the living room OR in my car. You keep your hands off of it'. :rollin
I think Myles rendition of Hallelujah is just as good as Buckley's. Yeah, a lot of people are covering it, but Myles put a bit of Myles in his cover.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgTBDRCGjKU
You can't tell me this is not a beautiful cover
I'm glad AB III is growing on you!
I, for one, am mad that i cannot find a friggin hardcopy of the album. That's right. I still don't have it in my possession at the moment. I went to a Target and two different Wal-Marts. They have Soundgardens new album on display, but not Alter Bridges. If Best Buy doesn't have it when i go tomorrow, I will combust, and all of Orlando will become a barren wasteland.... expect for Disney World... cuz it's magical
Album just kept growing on me. I can't say I like it better than Blackbird, but as a whole, it beats One Day Remains.
My favorite two songs are now 'Slip to the Void' and 'Words Darker Than Their Wings'. These are both in my top 10 AB songs.
Forgot about 'Show me a Sign'. That song is monumental as well. These three songs together are as epic as 'Blackbird', but spread throughout the album.
I really love how the guitars pic up on the second verse. That's probably my favorite part in the song.
Yeah, I could, and I should've, but the places I usually go and get my CDs have always been reliable. However, I went to Best Buy to get the CD, and they had it! They were in the New Release sections, and they were the only ones in the sections that didn't have many left. Which is good.
AB III is doing very well. Better than I expected. On iTunes, it was the #2 album overall, #1 on the rock charts. I don't think Blackbird even cracked the top ten on the overall albums chart.
I'm really digging I Know it Hurts, great song.
anyone find the similarities between Words Darker Than Their Wings and Make It Right odd?
Accelerando (or anyone this applies to) -- if you have any pull with whoever puts the AB website and social media network updates up, I'd appreciate pushing my review. Trying to get attention to the website.
I checked the site again the other day and got myself two tickets :laugh:. Happy I could make it right.
Accelerando (or anyone this applies to) -- if you have any pull with whoever puts the AB website and social media network updates up, I'd appreciate pushing my review. Trying to get attention to the website.
Done
I'm really digging I Know it Hurts, great song.
'Wonderful Life' is growing on me! Really beautiful song actually. The ending is my favorite part, love that vocal performance by Myles and the underlying chord progression.
I checked the site again the other day and got myself two tickets :laugh:. Happy I could make it right.
(https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v231/tremontidood/tard-1.gif)
Each of those songs deals with losing something, but Wonderful Life, while similar in that regard, is quite a bit different. The song is about the experience from the point you last see someone, on their death bed, to the point where you are able to move past the grief and realize how special your time with said person was.
So while similar, the lyrical meaning is different from the other songs you have mentioned.
What I love about Alter Bridge is that the band encompasses all that I love about music.
They have a big voice with range, but a good sense of emotion and melody. They have a great balance of ripping, aggressive songs, then some more epic cuts, and a few ballads that aren't sappy in the least. Just emotional.
Add to that a killer guitar element (love the contrast between Myles and Mark and how they approach solos and writing in general, reminds me of DeGarmo/Wilton from Queensryche back in the day, with Myles being the DeGarmo and Tremonti being the Wilton).
So for me, AB just has all those elements that I love in my music, and reminds me a bit of the ORIGINAL Queensryche, which is my all time favorite band.
So I gave most of the album a once through.
Eh.
Some really great ideas in there, like really great. However almost every chorus turned into a generic tremonti chorus and lost my interest. Also the production leaves something to be desired.
It's sad they can't write another chorus.
So I gave most of the album a once through.
Some really great ideas in there, like really great. However almost every chorus turned into a generic tremonti chorus and lost my interest. Also the production leaves something to be desired.
It's sad they can't write another chorus.
I do have the album. I have listened to most of it, as I said. One time. Except Isolation I heard a few times before the album came out.
I have every single creed album and the other two AB albums, most of which I'm very fond of. Tremonti/Phillips/Marshall are one of my favorite music writing trios.
However, out of those 7 albums, they have 2 or so chorus styles that they repeat over....and over.....and over. The vocals change, but the music stays the same.
Regarding the production, the guitar tone isn't as good as it has been for the heavy riffs (though it sounds fine when he's strumming chords...which unfortunatly he is doing like 80% of the album). The snare is a bit...I dunno, just not as good as it has been. While the kick drums are WAY too quiet, along with the toms.
I can't comment on the bass because I don't hear any. However the vocals sound amazing.
I'm not sure what it is with this band. I get really excited to listen to them, and I listen to about half an album's worth and really like it, but then I'm bored and don't want any more.
I'm not sure what it is with this band. I get really excited to listen to them, and I listen to about half an album's worth and really like it, but then I'm bored and don't want any more.
I still blame it on a crazy lack of any diversity.
I still blame it on a crazy lack of any diversity.
QuoteI still blame it on a crazy lack of any diversity.
Despite still not being able to understand how you could own all of a certain group of musicians output but only have "almost" listened to the newest album once, I guess I can agree. It'd be nice to hear more "Blackbird" quality epics and the like. But still, I wish I had the luxury of buying albums without bothering to give them time enough for a full-spin.
I still blame it on a crazy lack of any diversity.I listened to the new album and the one before it for the first time today (I'd never bothered checking them out before), and while I liked both albums and they have some great choruses, it's absolutely true that the music is SO samey.
I still can't get into this album, slip to the void is good but then my interest just vanishes :-\
I find it almost unreal that some of you find the record a "chore" to get through. I realize I am a big, big, big fan, and most of you probably aren't, but by far and away, this album is a classic. It's a true ALBUM, in every sense of the word and a bold statement.
I know music is subjective, but sometimes I get the feeling that Dream Theater fans lose sight of good songs, just because they might not be in a crazy time signatures and have three different movements.
I've gotta give the new album some spins to prep for the NYC Alter Bridge show next Monday. My impression of the new album so far has been that it's good, but samey. I can find myself in the mood to listen to it, but then start tiring of it after a handful of songs.
I find it almost unreal that some of you find the record a "chore" to get through. I realize I am a big, big, big fan, and most of you probably aren't, but by far and away, this album is a classic. It's a true ALBUM, in every sense of the word and a bold statement.
I find it almost unreal that some of you find the record a "chore" to get through. I realize I am a big, big, big fan, and most of you probably aren't, but by far and away, this album is a classic. It's a true ALBUM, in every sense of the word and a bold statement.
Captain Subjectivity and Opinion Man strike again!
I know music is subjective, but sometimes I get the feeling that Dream Theater fans lose sight of good songs, just because they might not be in a crazy time signatures and have three different movements.This isn't fair at all. I can assure you that I listen to a wider range of music, much of which is very simple, than most people, and while individual songs on ABIII are excellent, the album drags a bit because there are just so many songs that sound really very similar. It's a good album, it just lacks any variety whatsoever.
I know music is subjective, but sometimes I get the feeling that Dream Theater fans lose sight of good songs, just because they might not be in a crazy time signatures and have three different movements.This isn't fair at all. I can assure you that I listen to a wider range of music, much of which is very simple, than most people, and while individual songs on ABIII are excellent, the album drags a bit because there are just so many songs that sound really very similar. It's a good album, it just lacks any variety whatsoever.
I actually have, for this board, one of the most objective musical tastes there is, if I do say so myself.That doesn't even make sense. :lol
My point in posting about the record was, just because a song isn't 10 minutes in length, and have the same structures, doesn't always make it samey. The band, if you are familiar with Alter Bridge, isn't a progressive band in the vein of Dream Theater. It's a mainstream hard rock band that has a bit of progressive stuff in it, ala the original Queensryche. Not quite progressive, but a little bit of it in there.I'm pretty sure nobody cares whether it is "progressive" or "10-minutes long" or any of that. You're arguing against points that weren't made.
Many of the posts here talk about the record being "samey" in terms of song structure. Well, I remind folks that Alter Bridge isn't a progressive metal band. Most song structures are in the vein that Alter Bridge's are. Their aim is to have mainstream hard rock music.It's not just samey in terms of structure, it's samey in terms of everything. Pretty much every song has the same feel, and is in the same style. JLB's Static Impulse suffers from exactly the same problem, but on a slightly smaller scale, and it has fewer songs.
Frankly, I'm surprised that no one has remarked that perhaps the album (not counting the bonus tracks) probably should be considered one epic piece, split into separate tracks. Because that's how I view it, given the subject matter. It's the mental journey of a man struggling with what he once believed.Maybe, but APSOG had a hell of a lot more variation in tone and style than AB III.
In essence, it could be considered one whole song...sorta how Fates Warning did with A Pleasant Shade of Gray.
That doesn't even make sense. :lol
I'm pretty sure nobody cares whether it is "progressive" or "10-minutes long" or any of that. You're arguing against points that weren't made.
It's not just samey in terms of structure, it's samey in terms of everything. Pretty much every song has the same feel, and is in the same style. JLB's Static Impulse suffers from exactly the same problem, but on a slightly smaller scale, and it has fewer songs.
Maybe, but APSOG had a hell of a lot more variation in tone and style than AB III.
Anyway, tastes are tastes, people can think whatever they want.
How so? Saying that I am objective doesn't make sense? One look at my music collection would change your mind.Saying that your tastes are more objective doesn't make sense. Tastes are subjective.
I've gone back and read the whole thread since the album was announced and I can't find anything like that whatsoever. In fact this has been one of the most overwhelmingly positive threads we've had about a new album! There's just been the complaint from a very small number of us about them sounding samey, which even some huge fans agree with.QuoteI'm pretty sure nobody cares whether it is "progressive" or "10-minutes long" or any of that. You're arguing against points that weren't made.
Re-read the last two pages. Someone absolutely mentioned "10 minute long songs."
Fair enough, I'm not saying it is inherently a bad thing or that it's not justified, it's just why I personally find the album drags a bit, and so why others might find the same thing.QuoteIt's not just samey in terms of structure, it's samey in terms of everything. Pretty much every song has the same feel, and is in the same style. JLB's Static Impulse suffers from exactly the same problem, but on a slightly smaller scale, and it has fewer songs.
And I'd argue that for THIS ALBUM, if you are hearing that, it was likely very much by design, given what the album is, conceptual/theme-wise.
Yes, people can think whatever they want. But this is a DISCUSSION FORUM, which is the reason why I brought it up.Indeed, and I'm not saying that you shouldn't post your thoughts and defend the album. I just said that questioning the integrity of those who feel differently is not fair.
I still blame it on a crazy lack of any diversity.I listened to the new album and the one before it for the first time today (I'd never bothered checking them out before), and while I liked both albums and they have some great choruses, it's absolutely true that the music is SO samey.
Many of the posts here talk about the record being "samey" in terms of song structure. Well, I remind folks that Alter Bridge isn't a progressive metal band. Most song structures are in the vein that Alter Bridge's are. Their aim is to have mainstream hard rock music.
Frankly, I'm surprised that no one has remarked that perhaps the album (not counting the bonus tracks) probably should be considered one epic piece, split into separate tracks. Because that's how I view it, given the subject matter. It's the mental journey of a man struggling with what he once believed....and it is in running order, from the event, until the conclusion. The struggle from beginning to its "end" (if it can be called an ending...more like a continuation).
Many of the posts here talk about the record being "samey" in terms of song structure. Well, I remind folks that Alter Bridge isn't a progressive metal band. Most song structures are in the vein that Alter Bridge's are. Their aim is to have mainstream hard rock music.
This seems kind of bizarre to me, because there's nothing "samey" about plenty of rock albums-- I'm thinking Led Zeppelin IV here. At some point, rock became about writing heavy songs in the pop format. And it wasn't like that before. Unfortunately, Alter Bridge are somewhat stuck in that 90s concept of what hard rock is "supposed" to sound like.QuoteFrankly, I'm surprised that no one has remarked that perhaps the album (not counting the bonus tracks) probably should be considered one epic piece, split into separate tracks. Because that's how I view it, given the subject matter. It's the mental journey of a man struggling with what he once believed....and it is in running order, from the event, until the conclusion. The struggle from beginning to its "end" (if it can be called an ending...more like a continuation).
In essence, it could be considered one whole song...sorta how Fates Warning did with A Pleasant Shade of Gray.
So, while I suppose for sake of the argument that the album would be "better" with fewer tracks, I just can't bring myself to turn away from new Alter Bridge. As far as most, if not all, Alter Bridge fans are concerned, the more new songs the better.I'd say I agree with this. It is a long album and I still think it lacks the 2-3 standout tracks that the first two albums had. But it's a solid album with no bad tracks and I enjoy listening to it. So it's pretty hard to complain.
I will say, however, that sometimes with a group like this, it really just takes time for the album to sink in.
So on one side Samsara says "oh its not prog what sort of variations/diversity do you expect?"
And then you say that it has these subtleties and nuances that you need to listen to the album lots to get.
So which is it?
But I have to say so far the best part of the whole CD is the first minute or so of it before it gets heavy. If they did more stuff like that, rather than typical alterbridge all the time it would have been great. Sad they can't experiment more or diversify or something. But they found a formula that they like and I guess they plan on sticking with it.I completely agree. I love that opening bit.
Alter Bridge live on Leno
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIab1DqzCvw
Crank the sound right up for this vid.
Alter Bridge live on Leno
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIab1DqzCvw
Crank the sound right up for this vid.
Alter Bridge live on Leno
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIab1DqzCvw
Crank the sound right up for this vid.
Why is Tremonti totally burried in the mix? That made me sad.
I find it funny that AB III is the bands most critically acclaimed album, yet some fans or casual listeners are saying its samey and boring. lol Guess its not for everyone. I personally love it
I find it funny that AB III is the bands most critically acclaimed album, yet some fans or casual listeners are saying its samey and boring. lol Guess its not for everyone. I personally love it
I find it funny that AB III is the bands most critically acclaimed album, yet some fans or casual listeners are saying its samey and boring. lol Guess its not for everyone. I personally love it
I've heard it multiple times already and I can barely tell any of the songs apart.
"Too safe" "in the box?" Then go throw yourself at bands that are off the commercial spectrum. Alter Bridge is what it is, a commercially viable hard rock band with metal, alternative and progressive elements at times. They just don't experiment with song structure that much (or haven't yet).
"Too safe" "in the box?" Then go throw yourself at bands that are off the commercial spectrum. Alter Bridge is what it is, a commercially viable hard rock band with metal, alternative and progressive elements at times. They just don't experiment with song structure that much (or haven't yet).
And they are good at it. As others have said, good band, good album, but it does have a very samey sound throughout. And it has nothing to do with being a prog fan. I have liked a lot of more straightforward rock bands since the early '80s. It's not just a similar song structure. It's a lot of things that have been pointed out. This album just has a feel to it that doesn't have much variety to it. I've felt that way about a few other albums as well. Two that come to mind are, more recently, Symphony X's Paradise Lost and, going back many years, Tesla's The Great Radio Controversy. Both great albums. One a complex symphonic metal album; the other a straightforward rock album. Both had a couple of standout tracks, but beyond that, have an overall sound to them that is very samey and can lose a listener. For me, both albums took work to learn to appreciate because it took time to get past that sameyness and appreciate what each separate song brought to the table. I feel the same way about ABIII. Overall, I like it. But it feels like a chore to get through. And you, being more familiar with the band, may have more quickly picked out what you like and picked out all the subtleties that make each song stand out. Right or wrong, it's taking much more work for me to get there with this one. So there you have it.
YOU are a prog fan bosk1. You love Neal Morse, you love Transatlantic. That is prog, is it not?
It does for YOU.
It does for YOU.
Well, of course. But even though I am sure you don't mean it this way, your posts up to this point come across as trying to say that people who feel that way are objectively wrong or as dismissing anyone who feels that way because we are just biased prog fans who can't appreciate straightforward rock.
I can easily listen to all three Stone Sour albums all the way through with no problem. I can listen to the first two AB albums all the way through with....well, not as much of a problem. I have 0 problem with straightforward rock. But every band should be able to change styles often enough to keep things interesting. AB can't pull that off.
I'm really glad you think the album is FULL of variety and that none of the songs sound anything remotely like one another. Clearly you're not alone in that either, you have 2-3 people in this very thread who agree, you have the band who agrees, the producers who agree, the managers, the label reps and so forth. So both stances have firm ground to stand on. Stop getting so defensive, it's just a CD.
How about this: I find ABIII "cheezy" its sums a lot of what I dont like today, its a formula for the masses, radio friendly, made to be sold, and a commodity. its as dangerous and captivating as a Disney Production. it annoys me that the industry rewards this stuff..I dont blame they members of AB for taking the safe easy route
Well you're right, they can pull it off. But they choose not to, which is actually worse.
But I still enjoy it, I just can't listen to more than 4 or 5 songs at a time, and I still can't tell any of them apart, but it's still in my CD player. And I still love AB.
actually...I find AB very similar to Nickleback. certainly more same the different!!
but heck, my crtique is valid, and I see nothing "dangerous" or "visonary and risky" about ABIII, and thats my point. which tells me a lot about how deep in the box or stale AB is becoming. I mean the new HelloGoodbye album was a departure, look at Silverchair and Diorama.. that what I want, RISKS and real songs that they wrote from the heart and dont even care if anyone like them.
I guess if one was a big Creed fan, this is your band as Creed is no more and I can understand that, Creed was a BIG band
This is a DT forum, so we all do pick on what we like and dislike on DT
actually...I find AB very similar to Nickleback. certainly more same the different!!
but heck, my crtique is valid, and I see nothing "dangerous" or "visonary and risky" about ABIII, and thats my point. which tells me a lot about how deep in the box or stale AB is becoming. I mean the new HelloGoodbye album was a departure, look at Silverchair and Diorama.. that what I want, RISKS and real songs that they wrote from the heart and dont even care if anyone like them.
I don't think the style repetition has anything to do with storytelling. Because they weren't telling the same story on the last two albums or all 5 or whatever creed albums, yet the style is on every single one of those CD's, a lot.
And I haven't put AB3 on my Ipod yet, I keep meaning to, but the CD's in my car and I keep forgetting to take it with me when I get out.
The kind of commercial "every song is the same" rock is not the only way you can rock and still be rich and famous. Led Zeppelin IV would like a word with everyone. In fact, "every song is the same" doesn't sell or make you more likely to be successful in the mainstream. Alter Bridge are a great example of why not, as they cater to the mainstream yet aren't really part of it. Because in order for "everyone song sounds the same" to work, you also have to be kissing ass to whatever the big trend in music is currently, which they don't do. Alter Bridge, instead, bow down to the big trend that was happening in rock music like 10+ years ago.
In fact, this commercial "every song is the same" rock has a special term: "butt-rock." A band can be successful and not be butt-rock (every Pearl Jam song was NOT the same, but butt-rock like Creed and Nickelback came in and rode their success out). The same goes for the glam bands of the 80s, and one day we ought to use it to describe all these emo and metalcore bands. A certain new genre of rock music comes out that “wow's" everyone, and then half a decade or so later there's a slew of butt-rock bands ready to cater to an audience that just wants to hear more.
The problem with Alter Bridge is that they're almost butt-rock. The thing that sets them apart is usually there's enough innovation and originality going on for them to not be so. The other thing that sets them off is that they're not really commercially successful, and seem to cater mainly to 1.) guitar players and 2.) those who truly had faith in the butt-rock of the late 90s. Now that the Creeds/Nickelbacks/ Doors Downs/Bush's/Defaults/Stainds have been swept away and their fanbases are buying the latest Lady Gaga album, only the most pious of butt-rockers are still hanging on. They have been hiding in the backdrop, waiting patiently for a band like Alter Bridge to come around and give them the best of what their favorite genre had to offer. And now Alter Bridge are here. But their scene, the late 90s butt-rock scene, is gone. And so they're able to thrive, being somewhat unique because no-one wants to play that music anymore. Because all that's left of it now is, obviously, Alter Bridge.
And listen, guys, I like Alter Bridge. A lot. But the last album needed some spicing up. It's the lack of anything out of the ordinary that bothers me. The songs that are really good are really good, but there's nothing "Blackbird" quality about the album that says to me these guys are shooting for more than style on this one. I've heard whispers about the theme and all, and while I'm sure it's there, it's just not apparent enough or strong enough to bump the album up from being more than an average collection of 90s rock songs, with some really good ones and some not so good ones.
I had the Blu-ray during the first release earlier this year, and had the CD/DVD set in my hand today and couldn't pull the trigger. Just wasn't worth it for a shortened version of the show.
I had the Blu-ray during the first release earlier this year, and had the CD/DVD set in my hand today and couldn't pull the trigger. Just wasn't worth it for a shortened version of the show.
I hear you. HOWEVER, the CD/DVD set is only $15.99, which wouldn't be a bad price to pay just for the CD's alone. The DVD is almost like a throw-in. So you should have just gotten it (I would have if I had gone with you--sorry I missed the call by the way).
p.s. ACC - who is the woman singing with Myles in "Never Born to Follow?"
Can't find any info on that.
Got the password and scored my tickets!!!! :metal
Going for the laid back positioning this time. In Seattle, I was on the rail, between Mark and Myles. This time, going to chill right in front of the soundboard. :corn
(whats the code for the exploding head?)
Sorry for the bump, but I had to mention this.
I was listening to Alter Bridge on shuffle, and after I listened to All Hope Is Gone, it jumped to Breathe Again.
I would like to know everyone's else reaction after listening to the last 45 seconds of AHIG and then the first 30 seconds of Breathe Again.
Simple warning: don't drink coffee while you do this.
My album ranking is still One Day Remains > ABIII > Blackbird. Unlike everyone else, I don't find Blackbird to be the pinnacle of their career.
My album ranking is still One Day Remains > ABIII > Blackbird. Unlike everyone else, I don't find Blackbird to be the pinnacle of their career.I actually rank them completely opposite.
My album ranking is still One Day Remains > ABIII > Blackbird. Unlike everyone else, I don't find Blackbird to be the pinnacle of their career.I actually rank them completely opposite.
Same.My album ranking is still One Day Remains > ABIII > Blackbird. Unlike everyone else, I don't find Blackbird to be the pinnacle of their career.I actually rank them completely opposite.
I agree that they should change up the setlist a little more often. As for the Blackbird songs being played most often live, I just think it's a way to keep Myles more involved. As we all know at this point, Myles is a guitarist, not just a vocalist that can strum some chords. The man wants to play, and I don't blame him. But yeah, I think they could slide a few more ODR songs into the mix.It's not so much more ODR songs that I think should replace them (there are a lot of staples from that album too, I'd maybe like to see some of the less played songs but mainly just The End Is Here) but AB III ones, and Myles played guitar on that album too. Several songs on the album haven't even been played yet, some have only been played a few times and there are often more Blackbird songs than AB III despite it being the more recent album. The Glasgow show I was at last month, I believe, literally was the same show they played in Glasgow last year except with a few songs taken out (and AB III songs too, rather than the more over-played Blackbird ones; All Hope Is Gone, Still Remains, and Show Me A Sign). It was still a great show but it would have been nice to get Coeur D'alene or WORDS DARKER THAN THEIR WINGS (I spoke to Mark Tremonti at the Glasgow show (which was the one right before Wembley) and he said they might be playing it at the end of their Wembley DVD show... they didn't :().
Best AB show I've seen was their first ever live show as a band. The whole ODR album + covers. My single greatest music listening experience.
What I'd like to see from the fourth AB album is for Myles and Mark to step up the guitar interplay. Myles is a GREAT guitar player, and the two compliment each other extremely well.
So I officially got my friend hooked on Alter Bridge :metal
I've watched it three times now. Such an amazing show. Myles vocals are just top notch live in this one. I haven't been to an Alter Bridge show since 2008 when they played literally a mile away from my college in downtown St. Petersburg, Fl. They haven't played in FL at all for their ABIII tour :-\
I wasn't overly impressed with their last DVD, they seemed to have sped all of their songs way the hell up and Myles skipped a ton of high notes.
I assume this DVD doesn't have those problems?
Didn't they play at State Theatre? Or was that when One Days Remains released, I remember wanting to see them at State Theatre but I can't remember what tour it was.
However, it is quite difficult from being one of the first people in the world to see this great band perform live for their very first concert on September 8th, 2004 at a very small House of Blues venue in Orlando, Fl.
I had to double check and I don't have anyplace to upload a picture, but my ticket says Alter Bridge at Floyd's Music Store on Wed. September 1, 2004. First ever live concert, although I heard they did a small set for some record execs before that, which isn't unbelievable.
I had to double check and I don't have anyplace to upload a picture, but my ticket says Alter Bridge at Floyd's Music Store on Wed. September 1, 2004. First ever live concert, although I heard they did a small set for some record execs before that, which isn't unbelievable.
Was that an acoustic set? At HOB, Myles announced that night was their first show as a band
Nope, full live set. They played the whole album plus covers. I'm pretty sure Highway Star was one. There were a few technical hiccups, but it was amazing. Their second time at Floyd's in Tallahassee, FL, they played four songs from the Blackbird album which was not nearly complete yet, and one of the songs was being played live for the first time. It was the original version of Come to Life or Buried Alive, I can't remember which one because it was nearly a year before I heard a different studio version. I was also at their first Blackbird show at The Social which was a "last minute" addition to the tour. Yet, they haven't played anywhere close to me since 2009 I think.
https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=10735.0 (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=10735.0)
https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=10735.0 (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=10735.0)
Danke! Why would search NOT bring that up? :p
I think I heard a rumor that our very own Accelerando is a little fond of them.
Myself, I'm a fan. I have all three of their CD's and both of their DVD's. They are indeed catchy as hell and their singer has an amazing voice. My only complaint is that they essentially only write 2-3 songs musically and just kind of change the vocals on them over time.
I can't wait for a new Alter Bridge album to see a new Adami vs Accelerando battle.
After hearing the Tremonti record, I'm hoping that the drums will be more upfront. I know Scott Philips didn't play on that record but it was Michael Elvis Baskette behind the production who also produced the last 2 AB albums.
But even on the Projected record (project between Scott Philips, Erock and two members from Sevendust), the drums sounded a lot more massive than any of the AB records and Elvis was behind the production here as well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73gb33xU_Go
I almost agree with that. I personally think ODR is his best effort, but the Tremonti album gets mad play on my ipod.
I'm excited for their next album. I've read that they want to do something different and "not sound like anyone else out there." I just hope they take their time with the writing/production and schedule a live show in Florida. No ABIII shows in Florida? What's that about :censored ?
I still love this album, it's aging really well.
ALTER BRIDGE BEGIN RECORDING FOURTH ALBUM
It has been well over two years since Alter Bridge‘s last album ‘ABIII.’ But after a tweet last month from bassist Brian Marshall about writing new songs and news from guitarist Mark Tremonti that pre-production had begun, we’re now getting confirmation that recording has started. The album is slated for release in September.
In a post on their official website, the band reveals the following: “We are pleased to announce that recording has begun on our 4th studio album. First up to record is Scott “Flip” Phillips on the drums. Stay tuned and we’ll update you on the progress as time allows.”
The members of Alter Bridge have a lot of other obligations, so clearing everybody’s schedules must be challenging. Singer Myles Kennedy is the lead vocalist in Slash’s band; Tremonti, Marshall and Phillips are in Creed; and Tremonti also fronts his own self-titled band.
As far as the musical direction of the new songs, Tremonti spoke about it in a recent interview. “All of them are kind of real high-energy, just real fun rock/metal. We want to not be predictable. We want to make it a little surprising and we’re having fun with it.”
Alter Bridge already have a fall tour lined up. They are set to embark on a headlining run in Europe at the end of October with Halestorm. Kennedy says, “Thrilled to be returning to Europe with Halestorm later this year! I’m looking forward to reconnecting with the part of the world that embraced Alter Bridge from the start.”
Someone pointed this out in the AB forums, but in every production photo of Mark, he is tracking his guitars outside of the booth. Most guitarists I see track inside. This is very interesting.
My band is learning Rise Today. When it was suggested, I initially bristled at the idea, thinking "It's Creed without whiny-assed Scott Stapp vocals, I'm going to hate it." After listening to it a few times, I readily admitted "Whoa, this song kicks major ass."
My band is learning Rise Today. When it was suggested, I initially bristled at the idea, thinking "It's Creed without whiny-assed Scott Stapp vocals, I'm going to hate it." After listening to it a few times, I readily admitted "Whoa, this song kicks major ass."
Yeah AB is one of the best hard rock bands out there right now IMO
If you like that track, check out songs like:
Ties That Bind
Come to Life
Coeur d'Alene
Still Remains
Isolation
I will even suggest the following songs to that list: One Day Remains, Find The Real, and Burn It Down
I will even suggest the following songs to that list: One Day Remains, Find The Real, and Burn It Down
This. The first album is so damn good. I think One Day Remains might be my favorite AB track. I miss the days when Myles didn't play guitar, and his infinite glory was solely directed at the mic.
That said, I hope they delve deeper into the new territory of 'Slip to the Void'. I was almost disappointed when that intro with keys was the only thing 'like that' on the record.I got really excited when I first started listening to ABIII, and then nothing more came of it. Definitely the coolest and freshest thing they tried on the whole album.
I still say the bridge to All Hope Is Gone is one of the best musical parts in the entire AB catalogue. Along with Mark's solo....damn fine music.
I do like the cover. The image looks like something Led Zeppelin would have used. Though I do agree that the red font clashes a bit with it, and the band loga kind of looks badly photoshopped on.
1. Cry of Achilles
2. Addicted to Pain
3. Bleed It Dry
4. Lover
5. The Uninvited
6. Peace is Broken
7. Calm the Fire
8. Waters Rising
9. Farther than the Sun
10. Cry a River
11. All Ends Well
12. Fortress
The production sounds decent as well, hard to tell from a YouTube video, but overall the mix sounds pretty good and the song sounds HUGE!
That's right! From the looks of it this is going to sound better than ABIII, of which I thought it sounded slightly less good than Blackbird's mix.
The End is Here is still the best song this band has done, IMO.
I still enjoy listening to them from time to time, but I think they need to mix things up a bit. Blackbird was great and expanded on what they had done on ODR, but ABIII seemed like too much retreading old ground. Hopefully this album won't be just more of the same. The talent and ability is definitely there.
-J
The End is Here is still the best song this band has done, IMO.
I've been saying this for years. The mood of the song, the heaviness of the riff, and the tone from Mark...oh the tone from Mark on that song is :hefdaddy.
I hope Brian bass work is more noticeable, which is something I really miss about in the production quality of "One Day Remains." He's a killer bassist, and whenever I see him play live, he makes that bass his bitch.
Myles and JLB together in the same room!!! Whoa!! :metal :metal :metal(https://distilleryimage6.ak.instagram.com/2de2a876046f11e386a922000a1fb703_7.jpg)
https://instagram.com/p/c9kQlKqsfq/
(https://distilleryimage6.ak.instagram.com/2de2a876046f11e386a922000a1fb703_7.jpg)
And their riffs shall set the world afire.
Myles and JLB together in the same room!!! Whoa!! :metal :metal :metal(https://distilleryimage6.ak.instagram.com/2de2a876046f11e386a922000a1fb703_7.jpg)
https://instagram.com/p/c9kQlKqsfq/
And their riffs shall set the world afire.
Ok guys. Here are my two cents. After being awake for like 28 hours I slept 8 hours after I returned back home. Written this review before I read the others in this thread
[SPOILER ALERT]
Alter Bridge Listening Party by Roadrunner Records
14 August 2013 — Slim Jim's Liquor Store, Islington, London
Mark & Myles made a brief appearance, in which they took pics with all the winners and had a Q&A en groupe. Also part of the night had an open bar. Woohoo, free beers! The Fortress album was played from start to finish after the guys left, they were nervous on how we would receive it. My English isn't the best in picking up lyrics on a first listen, but I tried to jolt some down at some of the songs.
Overall impression
The songs have a more mature, bigger sound. Bass and drums are very nice. Overall feel is a heavier album. Guitar work is excellent. Myles voice sounds amazing! Definitely the next step in the evolution of Alter Bridge.
Cry of Achilles
Calm stringed beginning, classic rock kinda riff, melody has a Iron Maiden/Run to the Hills vibe. Long song.
Addicted to Pain
We have heard the song, sounded amazing in a bar like Slim Jim's, with people singing along
Bleed it Dry
Hard song, metal. Features Brian and Flip as starts heavy then it flow into a more melodious song. Changes into stringy before solo kicks in.
"Bleed it dry, leave us here with nothing..."
Lover
Slower song. Missed half of it to a much needed potty break (damn those free pints! LOL)
The uninvited
Starts out slow, then pick up. Still Remains kinda riff. Not too sure about the distortion/effect on Myles voice at some points in the song.
Peace is Broken
Think this song will appeal to classic rock lovers, nice bass and drum lines.
"Peace is broken, you did it to yourself, you don't have anyone to blame"
Calm the Fire
WOW at the intro which has a Muse kinda feel. Myles showing off his pipes, can't wat to experience this intro in a concert! Song gave me goosebumps. Very vocal heavy song.
Waters Rising
Mark singing lead with Myles doing done backing vocals. Later in the song Myles takes over lead vocals and harmony. Begin gave me a All Hope is Gone feel, though song took a different direction after.
Farther than the Sun
Harder song. Very nice solo and riffs.
"I have to find a place where I belong."
Cry a River
Maybe one of the heaviest songs. Mature rock sound. Brian and Flip in charge combined with strong guitars. Flip and Brian have evolved to a new level.
All Ends Well
Slowest song on the album.
"If I could ease your mind, if I could heal your scars, ooh ooh, in due time"
Fortress
This song has various stages. Starts with a Blackbird feel, as if its an evolution to this song. Turns into a harder song with metal guitar riffs and solo. Song has sort of a break and then what feels like an encore. Long song (over 7 mins) because of the different stages.
Not about Fortress but a cool interview about Mark and Myles' guitar playing.
https://youtu.be/9QerxElDWKg
Watching Myles's facial reactions to the things Mark says was the best part of the video for me. :lolNot about Fortress but a cool interview about Mark and Myles' guitar playing.
https://youtu.be/9QerxElDWKg
Haha, great little video, about 1:30 into it, Mark mentions he would rather learn to play slide than learn to tap better on guitar and Myles has this great little nod as if to say, "Ah yes, slide, I could teach you that"....
I just listened to Addicted to Pain for the second time, this time on Rhapsody. I'm totally digging it, even the chorus. You can hear the progression of the band. I'm trying real hard not to listen more, but it's tough :metal.
Watch this video of them in the studio recording "The Uninvited"!!! :metal
https://youtu.be/gCnGAE6HvSY
Some interesting time signatures! And it sounds like Flip is stepping up his game. I mean, I would too if I had to follow up from Garrett Whitlock :lol
I'll probably end up listening to this, I'm seeing my sister infect me with her enthusiasm in the future :lol
Watch this video of them in the studio recording "The Uninvited"!!! :metal
https://youtu.be/gCnGAE6HvSY
Some interesting time signatures! And it sounds like Flip is stepping up his game. I mean, I would too if I had to follow up from Garrett Whitlock :lol
Whoa!! Yeah I really like the sound of that track! Sounds like it has some cool twisting and turning riffs, and the little clip of the actual song at the end sounds great. The guitar and drum sound is huge and Myles' voice is sitting nicely!
Even more excited now and the video said we would be getting more of these "making of" videos soon, keep them coming!!
:metal :metal :metal
Here are some links to a couple of acoustic songs that Mark and Myles played from a Swedish radio station.
All Hope is Gone - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxxSI5ssgKs
Addicted to Pain - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgNJ9_Pacqo
I always thought All Hope Is Gone would sound immense on acoustics, especially because it is inspired by sea shanteys. And big shocker, Myles' voice sounds phenomenal in both of these songs
It feels like Alter Bridge's moment. That's our first reaction from hearing Fortress.
Myles Kennedy's coming off a successful album with Slash and worldwide tour, and Mark Tremonti shook up the metal world with his long-overdue solo album All I Was last year. Of course, Tremonti, Brian Marshall and Scott Phillips are also hot off a big Creed tour as well.
For the uninitiated in AB Nation, Alter Bridge led its most successful campaign to date with 2010's masterful AB III, culminating in a sold out show at Wembley Arena in the UK. Lest we forget, they even sold out places such as the House of Blues in West Hollywood. Los Angeles couldn't be any more anti-rock these days, and that's how on fire Alter Bridge are. That fire hasn't dwindled on Fortress either. In fact, it burns brighter than ever.
Fortress commences with the classically influenced furious finger-picking of "Cry of Achilles" which quickly builds into a modern thrash epic. Its towering rhythms and incendiary riffing temper raw grooves with some of the most impressive playing you'll hear all year. Crossing the six-minute mark, it's clear that Alter Bridge are erecting more of a castle than a Fortress right out the gate. First single "Addicted to Pain" coasts from a stadium-size refrain into fret-burning soloing—some of the best in the game. Kennedy and Tremonti stand out as a formidable duo. From the former's monumental range and impeccable six-string work to Tremonti's metallic mastery, it's a dream team on the likes of "Bleed it Dry" and "The Uninvited".
Alter Bridge still know how to slow things down for the lighters to come out. That happens most elegantly on "Lover", which has big single potential, while "Peace Is Broken" boasts a massive hook. Tremonti's own powerful voice drives "Waters Rising" adding another dimension to the record. Throughout, Marshall and Phillips hold down the foundation in an airtight synchronicity.
The finale of "All Ends Well" and "Fortress" leaves an ominous bookend upon this downright amazing journey. It's metal at its finest. It's also Alter Bridge at their best. Hole up in this Fortress and experience a milestone hard rock record. They've joined the likes of Metallica, Alice in Chains, and Pantera at the top…
New review from artistsdirect
https://www.artistdirect.com/entertainment-news/article/first-reaction-alter-bridge-fortress/10722681
Why is this band not big in the US?
Video, for Addicted to Pain, is out. I'm just going to say that it is not just a "band performing the song," video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7M9QxzpTjec
MusicRadar.com
https://www.musicradar.com/news/drums/mark-tremonti-talks-alter-bridges-fortress-track-by-track-583219/13QuoteWhen it came time for Alter Bridge to begin recording their upcoming fourth album, Fortress, the band members – lead vocalist-guitarist Myles Kennedy, lead guitarist-singer Mark Tremonti, bassist Brian Marshall and drummer Scott Phillips – decided to build on their prior LPs successes by playing fast and loose with song structures.
“We were pushing for unpredictability," Tremonti says. "The last thing we wanted was verse-chorus-verse-chorus and all that. Songs should have you never knowing what you're getting next. We messed with time signatures, tones, key changes – everything we could throw at these songs, we did.”
As they've done since 2007's Blackbird, the group worked with producer Michael "Elvis" Baskette, who, according to Tremonti, wasn't adverse to adopting a more daring approach. "Elvis never tries to simplify our ideas," he enthuses. "A lot producers might want to shave edges off things and play it safe, but Elvis pushes us to be more extreme, more creative. It’s always, ‘Hey, that’s great. Now, how far can we take that?’"
During pre-production, songs were built up and torn down; sometimes multiple treatments for each one were considered. "We just didn't want to be easily satisfied," Tremonti explains. "It's so tempting to say, 'That's it. It's perfect' the first time you have something. But you never really know it's as good as it can be until you exhaust every possibility, and that's what we did."
Tremonti re-assessed his own guitar playing, as well, starting with his use of the wah pedal, which he admits has become something of a security blanket. "I saw an online post where a fan brought it up," he says. "‘I think you should use less wah on this record,’ somebody wrote, and I thought, ‘You know what? I’m not gonna use any wah when it comes to the solos.’ I wanted to get out of my comfort zone.
“I’ve also had a tendency to do too many descending legato riffs. They became a go-to, over-the-top pattern of mine – whenever a climax would come up, I’d do some fast legato stuff. I wanted to lay off that and concentrate on phrasing. There is kind of a new trick I’m doing – this chicken pickin’-type pull-off riff that I use in a few of the solos. It’s good to change your game around and see what comes from it."Quote1/12
Cry Of Achilles
“When Myles and I were throwing ideas back and forth, he played me a fingerpicked bit on a nylon-string guitar. It was really great, and I just said to him, ‘Man, we’ve got to use that for an intro or incorporate it into one of the songs somehow.’
“We kind of put it on the back burner – things like that always seem to happen – but it was too good to forget about. The bulk of the song came about in pre-production; we sat down for a few days and worked on it, and in the end we felt like we caught lightning in a bottle.
“Myles and I both take solos in the song. He takes the first one, the more elastic solo, and I take the second one. He’s a great improvisational player; his bends and vibrato are so striking. My solo is more ‘stingy,’ I guess, which is a nice complement to what he does.”Quote2/12
Addicted To Pain
“It’s tough to always use your own experiences when writing lyrics, and I think, in some cases, Myles looked to people around him for inspiration. Somebody close to him was venting about his problems, and Myles felt as though he could touch on certain issues.
“The solo is a funny one: I had the idea of starting it out on a single bent note. I was improvising one night and kept playing around with this way of edging into it. It’s one of my favorite solos on the album.”Quote3/12
Bleed It Dry
“OK, now this is actually my favorite solo on the record. I’m playing with my fingers to make it more expressive – it affects the whole tone in a really cool way. The song itself is tuned down to drop D, so it’s one of the heavier songs. We’re definitely going to play it live.
“For amps, on this song, like on the whole album, I used the Cornford RK100, Obershaw and a little bit of Boogie. Guitar-wise, I used two guitars, both of them my signature Paul Reed Smith models. One has a fixed bridge for the rhythm stuff, and for leads I used one with the bar on it.”Quote4/12
Lover
“We had most of the record together before we got to this one. The high-energy stuff was there, so we needed something to provide a different dynamic, something a little slower with a more atmospheric feel.
“There’s no real guitar solo, just a little lick before the second verse. We thought about a solo, but then we kind of left it up in the air. I was just going to improvise something, but one day I went to the studio and Elvis said, ‘You know, Myles put down this great vocal at the end; we should just forgo the solo.’ I listened to what Myles did and said, ‘Fine. It's great.' Hey, less work for me, right?" [Laughs]Quote5/12
The Uninvited
“This song almost didn’t make the album. It’s got this hammer-on thing, and Scott was like, ‘That’s just like a Tool riff.’ So, for a while there, we were like, ‘OK, let’s shelve this and move on.’
“But eventually, we came back to it and said, ‘OK, let’s just make this as un-Tool-like as possible and go with it.’ Everybody is influenced by somebody or something – a lot of times, it's a subconscious thing – so if an idea is really strong, you just have to give in and see it through.
“The song was a dark horse, and for a while we were probably thinking it was a B-side track. Once we finished it, it seemed to jump out at us – I guess we didn’t know what we had all along. Now it’s one of our favorites.”Quote6/12
Peace Is Broken
"We’re usually so busy with our own parts that we don’t often hear what Myles is working on with lyrics until after he’s done. When I’m tracking, that’s when I sometimes hear what he’s come up with. He blows me away. There’s only been a few times where we’ve wanted to make changes to his lyrics.
“I love this chorus. When I brought it to Myles, I said, ‘This one is very important to me; let’s make it special.’ The verses came from a riff I had; I built it up with some chord changes – at first, there were no chords – and it all came together after that.
“I wanted to make the solo an emotional one, so I kind of followed the chorus melody. Actually, this was the first solo I wrote for the record. I’m pretty pleased at how it turned out.”Quote7/12
Calm The Fire
“Another Myles opener – he's on the nylon-string. We already had the song worked out, but he and Elvis went in one night and came up with that part as an intro. I was knocked out when I heard it. It's definitely one of the highlights on the album.
“Myles and I do a lot of cool guitar stuff together. We’re playing two totally different parts during the verses. It’s only in the pre-chorus where we sync up with each other, but for the most part, we’re trying to really complement our separate approaches. It’s always very inspiring to see what Myles comes up with. I can’t say enough about him as a guitarist.”Quote8/12
Waters Rising
“I wrote this song about a fictional apocalyptic scenario. Just watching the news every day, every week, it seems as though there’s always some way for somebody to end it all. After I’d written this song and I’d heard what Myles had done for Bleed It Dry, I was like, ‘Wow, we both went there coincidentally.’
“A lot of the solo happened by mistake. I had written a riff that I wasn’t feeling, so I was just improvising to see where I could take things. It was one of those situations where you fall down the stairs and you manage to land on your feet.
“For me, the biggest challenge was that it was my debut as a vocalist on an Alter Bridge record. A little daunting, but I think it turned out well.”Quote9/12
Farther Than The Sun
"We always have a go-to drop-B song on a record. This is probably our heaviest track because it’s tuned so low. It’s another one where Myles and I take back-to-back leads, which is always fun. It’ll be a highlight of our live set, I think.
“I tracked my lead first, and I didn’t hear what Myles did until I went in to do my vocals. Needless to say, I was blown away. Myles is always very soulful with his bends and the emotion he puts into his guitar playing. His vibrato and phrasing are always pretty impressive. On a few places, he really went for the shred.”Quote10/12
Cry A River
“Everybody’s playing these songs for the first time, so when it comes down to the arrangements, people are going, ‘Let’s try this, let’s try that.’ That’s the way a lot of these tunes come together.
“Actually, this solo was one of the tougher ones for me. I put it off for a while because of the chord progression – I just didn’t feel like it was a good sound bed for an emotional solo. One night I was up, and I came up with a little lick for the melodic phrasing for the beginning of the solo, and I was like, ‘That's it! Now I’m saved. I have something to work with here.’ After that, it came together pretty quickly.”Quote11/12
All Ends Well
“We added this song to the record towards the very end. We knew we needed something different for the dynamics of the album, and we also kept in mind that our fans like things like Before Tomorrow Comes – the more uplifting tunes that we’ve done in the past. Things were pretty dark and heavy, so we wanted to make sure this tune wound up on the record.
“I had the verse music for a while, and I knew that I wanted to use it for something. I think Myles knocked it out of the park with his vocal over the guitar line. It was one of those places where I couldn’t play it and sing something at the same time, so I had no idea how it should work. Myles did a great job, especially on the chorus.
"The acoustic is a drop-D with the high E turned down to D, as well. Both of the E strings are D. It’s a great sound."
“A lot of people have said that they respect how we put this song near the end of the record – some bands might immediately go for the money shot, the more pop, cross-over-type thing. I think that we just wanted to let people know that it’s not that kind of a record overall."Quote12/12
Fortress
“This is one of the first ideas that I brought to Myles music-wise. I sent him the verse and the chorus, and we kind of forgot about it after that. We came back to it after Elvis said, ‘Let me hear some of the other ideas you two worked on before we started.’ This one stuck out, and Elvis said, ‘Hey, that’s great. Let’s work on it.’
“As soon as the rhythm for the bridge came together, we all fell in love with it. Then it was a matter of getting in and out of the time signature and making all of the parts work.
“Myles and I took turns with the solos: I do the first and third, and he does the second and fourth. On the fourth round, he kind of mimics a descending thing of mine, but he does it with an ascending pattern.
“When my part happens, it’s in D because I was in open D5 tuning, which is a challenge because your B string is up a whole step and a half, so you can’t do some bendy stuff – you might snap the string. It’s hard to do some pentatonic things, as well, because your guitar’s a whole new beast when you tune it that way. I think it’s fun, though, because it doesn’t sound like standard-tuning solos.
"I made sure that I got the D portion that’s in a double-time thing, and then it switches to half-time with Myles in the key of A; after that, it goes back to D with me and back to A with him. Really cool stuff going on. Challenging ourselves on the guitar keeps things interesting for us, and I hope everybody else feels the same way.”
And speaking of Myles in his Citizen Swing Days :biggrin:He's adorable :lol
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIN2ZVj6FRA
Track by track interview for Total Guitar with Mark and Myles
https://youtu.be/XGUq4mh3G0s
Yeah Best Buy usually has some good exclusives and bonus content when buying from their stores. I believe Blackbird had the Making Of dvd to go with it.The regular American release had those 2 bonus tracks on it, to compensate for the fact it was delayed and came out a month after Europe etc.
Is it me, or did every copy of ABIII had two bonus songs that came with it, no matter where you bought it from? I'm taling about "Zero" and "Home"
Yeah Best Buy usually has some good exclusives and bonus content when buying from their stores. I believe Blackbird had the Making Of dvd to go with it.
Is it me, or did every copy of ABIII had two bonus songs that came with it, no matter where you bought it from? I'm taling about "Zero" and "Home"
Alter Bridge // In the Studio - FORTRESS ("Cry of Achilles")
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcS9oWndRK0
The Alter Bridge Facebook group says they are streaming the album THIS MONDAY AT 10AM. THAT'S TOMORROW.
OMG OMG OMG OMG.
The Alter Bridge Facebook group says they are streaming the album THIS MONDAY AT 10AM. THAT'S TOMORROW.
OMG OMG OMG OMG.
ALL MY HYPE. :hefdaddy :hefdaddy :hefdaddy :hefdaddy :hefdaddy
Been listening to band interviews and the brief teasers they've put up on YouTube lately. I have a feeling this will be the album of the year for me. It'll be either this or Fates Warning. But I'm leaning towards this. I've only heard a little bit of this thing, but everything I've heard off of it so far just sounds so goddamned inspired. :metal
I'm with you. I've actually avoided every clip as much as possible, in order to make my first listening experience as fantastic as possible. I let myself listen to Addicted To Pain once when it was released, but I've been in complete blackout since.
I'm so excited!!!!!!
Waaaaiting for the stream to appear....
Waaaaiting for the stream to appear....
Take a listen!
https://loudwire.com/alter-bridge-fortress-exclusive-album-stream/
Yeah there is a lot of amazing stuff on here to the point where I think it might be their best album to date!
With the exception of maybe one or two tracks, every song seems to have a lot of room to breathe.
Their best song of all time is still Blackbird... It's going to be tough to top that one but I think this one is very interesting to listen to from start to finish!
Cry of Achilles is up there as well!
Hmm...
From the top of my head...
There are two in Cry of Achilles
One in Addicted to Pain
One in Bleed It Dry
A bunch in Fortress
I need more listens without any distractions but I'm digging the album. I think it is their best!
Hmm...
From the top of my head...
There are two in Cry of Achilles
One in Addicted to Pain
One in Bleed It Dry
A bunch in Fortress
I need more listens without any distractions but I'm digging the album. I think it is their best!
Just had my second listen. There is no doubt in my head: This is their best album. Period.
Fuck, i'm at work, and my shoot just got extended. I've been DYING all goddamnfuckinday to hear this stream!!! I'm glad im reading the responses im reading right now
Honestly, it's between Cry of Achilles and Blackbird for Alter Bridge's best song.
IT'S THAT GOOD.
Hmm...
From the top of my head...
There are two in Cry of Achilles
One in Addicted to Pain
One in Bleed It Dry
A bunch in Fortress
I need more listens without any distractions but I'm digging the album. I think it is their best!
Hmm...
From the top of my head...
There are two in Cry of Achilles
One in Addicted to Pain
One in Bleed It Dry
A bunch in Fortress
I need more listens without any distractions but I'm digging the album. I think it is their best!
Seriously, only 4 songs with solos? bah! Looking forward to the weekend so I can get this nevertheless.
Waters Rising has a solo, Peace Is Broken has a solo in the end during and after the last chorus, that I can remember off hand. Definitely not just 4 songs with solos, those were probably just the most notable.Hmm...
From the top of my head...
There are two in Cry of Achilles
One in Addicted to Pain
One in Bleed It Dry
A bunch in Fortress
I need more listens without any distractions but I'm digging the album. I think it is their best!
Seriously, only 4 songs with solos? bah! Looking forward to the weekend so I can get this nevertheless.
There's more solos I think, though I'm not sure how many more. I'm re-listening to the album right now, so I'll let you know. Pretty sure Farther Than the Sun also had a solo too, for starters.
Also the solos on Fortress are terrific! :hefdaddy
Waters Rising has a solo, Peace Is Broken has a solo in the end during and after the last chorus, that I can remember off hand. Definitely not just 4 songs with solos, those were probably just the most notable.Hmm...
From the top of my head...
There are two in Cry of Achilles
One in Addicted to Pain
One in Bleed It Dry
A bunch in Fortress
I need more listens without any distractions but I'm digging the album. I think it is their best!
Seriously, only 4 songs with solos? bah! Looking forward to the weekend so I can get this nevertheless.
There's more solos I think, though I'm not sure how many more. I'm re-listening to the album right now, so I'll let you know. Pretty sure Farther Than the Sun also had a solo too, for starters.
Also the solos on Fortress are terrific! :hefdaddy
Just finished Cry A River on a listen through and it also has a solo after the last chorus. So yeah, plenty of them on the album. :tupWaters Rising has a solo, Peace Is Broken has a solo in the end during and after the last chorus, that I can remember off hand. Definitely not just 4 songs with solos, those were probably just the most notable.Hmm...
From the top of my head...
There are two in Cry of Achilles
One in Addicted to Pain
One in Bleed It Dry
A bunch in Fortress
I need more listens without any distractions but I'm digging the album. I think it is their best!
Seriously, only 4 songs with solos? bah! Looking forward to the weekend so I can get this nevertheless.
There's more solos I think, though I'm not sure how many more. I'm re-listening to the album right now, so I'll let you know. Pretty sure Farther Than the Sun also had a solo too, for starters.
Also the solos on Fortress are terrific! :hefdaddy
Yeah, that sounds about right.
Cry of Achilles
Addicted to Pain
Bleed It Dry
Peace Is Broken
Waters Rising
Farther Than The Sun
Fortress
So that's 7 out of 12 at least, with maybe one or two more. I know Calm the Fire doesn't have a solo and I don't think The Uninvited has one either. Not sure about Cry A River or All Ends Well. Lover kinda has a brief bluesy solo/lick in-between the first and second verse, but I don't know if that counts or not.
There are loads of solos on this album, definitely more than half the songs, and some of the songs have more than one solo. Dunno what people are on about!
There are loads of solos on this album, definitely more than half the songs, and some of the songs have more than one solo. Dunno what people are on about!
Calm the Fire is so good!There are loads of solos on this album, definitely more than half the songs, and some of the songs have more than one solo. Dunno what people are on about!
Yeah, this. I will also add that the songs without any solos are also brilliant, especially Calm the Fire. Myles sings his ass off on that song and the riff-a-rama on that track sounds like it's straight off of Mindcrime! :metal
Calm the Fire is so good!
There are loads of solos on this album, definitely more than half the songs, and some of the songs have more than one solo. Dunno what people are on about!
Haven't seen it mentioned yet, but there are some epic vocal moments on this album. Really great performances from Myles!
Mark has a ton of great signature Tremonti riffs and solos, several of which are among the best he's done, not to mention a lead vocal spot for the first time on an AB record
Mark has a ton of great signature Tremonti riffs and solos, several of which are among the best he's done, not to mention a lead vocal spot for the first time on an AB record
What about Words Darker Than Their Wings?
Mark has a ton of great signature Tremonti riffs and solos, several of which are among the best he's done, not to mention a lead vocal spot for the first time on an AB record
What about Words Darker Than Their Wings?
Mark has a ton of great signature Tremonti riffs and solos, several of which are among the best he's done, not to mention a lead vocal spot for the first time on an AB record
What about Words Darker Than Their Wings?
Mark really just has a small section of the verses that he sings, I would say Myles sings 75 to 85 percent of that song. What I meant was this was a TRUE lead vocal spot for him, taking both the first and second verse and all the choruses as the lead. Really all Myles does is harmonies and lead on the bridge, so this song would be more like 75 percent of Mark leading.
So you think this album is like a mini concept album?
I think the new AB could possible beat DT12 :)
I think the new AB could possible beat DT12 :)
I think the new AB could possible beat DT12 :)
Could?
It's without a doubt for me. I have given it about 6-7 listens so far, and I'm debating where it ranks for my favorite albums EVER.
I really feel like the band wrote this record asking themselves "Can we write the perfect album for Basekick?"
IMO, the most underrated part of this incredible album is both the drum production and overall feel. I listened to ABIII and Blackbird after digesting a lot of Fortress, and the grooves are a lot more mid-tempo, with less dynamics and rarely grooving in half-time. In contrast, Fortress features half-time in what seems like every song on the album, not to mention a consistent fluid change between tempos to give each riff, melody, and section its own feel.
Furthermore, the sound of the drums on Fortress are absolutely HUGE. It reminds me a bit of dubstep in a way, since there is an immense focus on a giant, thundering, and spacious kick drum, followed by a vicious and roaring snare.
I highly recommend taking a spin of the record and only listening to Flip play. It's incredible.
Hopefully there will be a big US tour as well! I really need to see these guys live
Do ya'll think there might be a tour with Dream Theater next year? These two bands and it's members seem to be collaborating lately, also being billed on the same record label. That would be some show!
That show was so good , son :metal. Myles hasn't sounded that good in a while. Truly amazing. My heart rate is still reset by Brian's bass. The heaviness was greater than any other AB shoe I've seen.
Addicted to Pain
White Knuckles
Come to Life
Before Tomorrow Comes
Farther Than the Sun
Brand New Start
Cry of Achilles
Ghosts of Days Gone By
The Uninvited
Ties That Bind
Cry a River
Blackbird
Rise today
-Marriage proposal
Isolation
Slip to the Void.
One Day Remains (thought they might not play it and I was getting nervous)
Open Your Eyes
Sweet!!! I just watched some YouTube videos from the show and the band sounded amazing! The only thing that struck me as weird was the stage setup. Why was Myles not center stage ?! The whole stage setup looked really awkward with no one really in the middle of the stage... And Myles had to keep walking back and forth... They tucked their frontman in the back corner of the stage! Really odd!.... Hopefully this was just a one time thing for this one-off show and their full tour show production will be back to a normal stage setup!
The new songs sounded great though from what I've heard so far!
I think it's probably due to Flip's drum sound affecting Myles' hearing when he is position center stage and they probably think that Myles moving, from the audience angle, to the left side of the stage, may help it? Just a hypothesis, here.
Just listened to 'Ouright' online, and I'm a bit happy they left it off the main album.
It sounds like it fits well into the ABIII tracks, and by no means is a bad song, but it's probably the worst of the Fortress songs. Maybe Cry a River is right there as well, but the other 11 tracks of Fortress are miles ahead of it.
I can't wait to get my copy of Fortress in the mail today! The sole complaint I have with the album is the lack of audio depth in the mix, and I have a good feeling that the CD version will be a lot better than the stream.
:metal :metal :metal
6 tracks into my first listen. First impression: Holy shit!
IMO the cd production and/or mastering sounds pretty messy. All the instruments seem to just blend together into one big blur at times. It could have used a little more bottom end too.
Same here. I mean, it's pretty loud as all Roadrunner albums are, but it's very clear and crisp and powerful.IMO the cd production and/or mastering sounds pretty messy. All the instruments seem to just blend together into one big blur at times. It could have used a little more bottom end too.
I actually think this is the best sounding AB album :metal
Same here. I mean, it's pretty loud as all Roadrunner albums are, but it's very clear and crisp and powerful.IMO the cd production and/or mastering sounds pretty messy. All the instruments seem to just blend together into one big blur at times. It could have used a little more bottom end too.
I actually think this is the best sounding AB album :metal
All right, Cry of Achilles. Holy Crap, what a start. For a 6:30 min. song, it doesn't feel that way. That Bass in the beginning in the bridge. Magnificent. The two solos are just greatness.
Addicted to Pain - Good idea to put this as the single.
Bleed it Dry. Good tempo, to somewhat slow things down. Pretty similar tempo to All Hope Is Gone. Wow, the time signatures is all over the place with this one.
Only three songs in, and of course, this is my album of the year.
Lover is dark. I love it. Wow, this bridge lyrics has a lot of attitude in it. This is probably one of the few instances that I like that there's no solo. Wouldn't have fitted the mood.
The Uninvited - Pretty Haunting. Good background vocal pitch from Mark, I think.
Loving the chorus and bridge verse from Peace is Broken. Another well played solo, as well.
Halfway done. This is a good winner.
Calm the Fire. That's a nice little nugget in the first 1:20 min. Probably the best song so far. The little synth nods are all right.
Waters Rising - Good guitar riff. Mark's vocals are pretty good. This is probably the most enjoyable, for me to listen to, song of the album, so far. Reminds me a bit of White Knuckles.
Farther than the Sun sounds like this could be their 2nd single of the album cycle. Yeah, this is going to be most likely their next single.
Cry a River pretty much solidifies the theme of the album. So much anger towards this one person. I'm loving it.
All Ends Well. Time for the ballad, baby. Quite the 180 degree turn from the last song. I'm loving it. For once, I'm not going to cry (NVM, I did cry. Tears of Joy, not sorrow this time). Finally, an AB ballad that shows that light as oppose to finding that light at the end of the tunnel. This might be the 3rd or 4th single to fit the alternative rock radio song bill. Now that I think of it, this reminds me a bit of Shinedown's Amaryllis (song).
Sounds like All Ends Well is the closer, however, one more to go (well, technically, two more to go). Time for them to shoot for epic with title track.
Oh yeah, the chorus is probably the best one of the album. The Fortress is coming down, baby!!!!! Well, this is a sudden change of pace in the time signature. Right into the solo!!! The only thing we can't say about this album is that they did rely too heavily on the verse-chorus-verse-chorus-bridge-chorus-solo formula.
The funny about that 7:30 song. I actually wanted that song to be a little longer, it's that good.
Turbomegladong (Outright) is pretty solid as a b-side, but like most would say, it would not really fit in the actual album. It's still a great track. Never say die, on anything.
I retract my last statement about All Ends Well would have closed it, Outright could have easily done a better job of being a closer.
My first reaction was that this album's production is fantastic. But when compared to ABIII, it really isn't much better. When I put on 'Still Remains', and the riff comes in, air is moved. You can hear everything clearly, every instrument has space (while still being a loud master). This one is a little muddy (Fortress), but it is by no means unacceptable.
My first reaction was that this album's production is fantastic. But when compared to ABIII, it really isn't much better. When I put on 'Still Remains', and the riff comes in, air is moved. You can hear everything clearly, every instrument has space (while still being a loud master). This one is a little muddy (Fortress), but it is by no means unacceptable.
Yes.
Peace is Broken your least fav? It's probably top 3 for me.
I can't stop listening to this beautiful album. So heavy, melodic, and ANGRY. Besides the experimentation with arrangements, the lyrics are what surprises me the most.
So far, my top songs are
1. Calm The Fire
2. Cry of Achilles
3. Bleed It Dry
4. Lover
5. Fortress
6. Waters Rising
7. The Uninvited
8. Farther Than The Sun
9. Addicted To Pain
10. All Ends Well
11. Cry A River
12. Peace Is Broken
I can't stop listening to this beautiful album. So heavy, melodic, and ANGRY. Besides the experimentation with arrangements, the lyrics are what surprises me the most.Wow, this is so close to mine, but I'd definitely have Peace is Broken a few places higher, and same with Addicted to Pain. Spot on with the top 4 though!
So far, my top songs are
1. Calm The Fire
2. Cry of Achilles
3. Bleed It Dry
4. Lover
5. Fortress
6. Waters Rising
7. The Uninvited
8. Farther Than The Sun
9. Addicted To Pain
10. All Ends Well
11. Cry A River
12. Peace Is Broken
Right now it's:
1. Calm The Fire
the rest I still have to figure out. After all this is really my first istance of heavy listening to Alter Bridge (so, I guess, Hello AB thread :angel:), but in my ignorance I'm rather convinced that Calm The Fire is almost illegally strong :omg:
Fortress is probably their best album but it's going to be really tough to top Blackbird the song.
I think the band themselves admitted that as well :lol
Just listened to the bonus track. Glad they kept it off the album.
Just listened to the bonus track. Glad they kept it off the album.
This. Not a bad track but it just wouldn't fit anywhere on the album.
Fortress is probably their best album but it's going to be really tough to top Blackbird the song.
Besides the impressive major scales, Ouright isn't even my favorite b-side AB has done.
New Way To Live by far to me is their best b-side. It's in my top ten AB songs. That solo is gorgeous. And who can forget the how much Ahavo Rabo Taco Salad kicks ass?!?
I also like simplicity of Home, and the song that was featured on the Fantastic Four soundtrack, Save Me.
I've been following the start of their UK tour to support the album... And I have to say I'm very dissapointed at the lack of new Fortress material in the sets. Honestly, they did pre tour rehearsals, so they should be prepared to play more than 4 songs from the new record every night.
Plus there are just so many songs on Fortress that would work well live... I really hope they are just starting off conservative and will begin to incorporate more and more new material. The set is so BB heavy... I mean it's a great album but, this is a tour to support Fortress, which is arguably just as great as BB, right?
Yeah, as much as I enjoyed the Wembley gig, the set was VERY Blackbird heavy. 8 songs from that, 3 from ABIII, 3 from ODR and 4 from Fortress.
I remember during the beginning of the ABIII, they did something similiar to what they are doing now. Maybe 3-4 ABIII songs, but a slew of BB and ODR songs. I think it was the middle of that tour they finally played Words Darker Than Their Wings. It's strange that they are doing this. You'd they would be excited to play the new stuff. Maybe they are to appease the fans of the older albums? I guess you can't make everyone happy. I just can't fucking wait to see footage of the duel guitar solos from the song Fortress
Tears are running down their faces as they cry about not hearing the entire Fortress album at the new shows. Really? This is not "An evening with..." show. It's a modern rock band with 4 albums and a fan base that stretches 9 years.
I guess that's the difference between a long-time, life-time AB fan and these "noob" fans that only like the new material because it's heavier, or whatever.
You should see some of the babies on the abnation forum. Tears are running down their faces as they cry about not hearing the entire Fortress album at the new shows. Really?This is not "An evening with..." show. It's a modern rock band with 4 albums and a fan base that stretches 9 years. I read someone say, "What about all the new fans that like fortress because it's different, but don't really like the older material? They must have been really disappointed." I can't say I would be disappointed if they played only the entire new album, but there are a lot of other songs I'd like to hear as well. I guess that's the difference between a long-time, life-time AB fan and these "noob" fans that only like the new material because it's heavier, or whatever. I guess I just get tired of people complaining about not getting exactly what they want, as if everyone can be pleased.
One of the problem is the sense of entitlement from the fanbase. In Glasgow they played an extra song from Fortress (ok so it was Cry A River which is probably the least good song on the album) in place of Metalingus, and people were whining about it online, so they brought Metalingus back. Myles actually told the crowd that at the Wembley show.This never happened - they played Melalingus at Glasgow and didn't play Cry A River.
Ok must have got the place wrong, but it was definitely one of the earlier shows on the UK part of the tour.One of the problem is the sense of entitlement from the fanbase. In Glasgow they played an extra song from Fortress (ok so it was Cry A River which is probably the least good song on the album) in place of Metalingus, and people were whining about it online, so they brought Metalingus back. Myles actually told the crowd that at the Wembley show.This never happened - they played Melalingus at Glasgow and didn't play Cry A River.
Calm the Fire is played for the 1st time live in their Paris show.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cWxcEL5dbc
Great stuff, despite some awkward moments that comes naturally into playing a new song in front of a live audience for the 1st time, added to the fact that this song is really tough to sing. Also, the crowd responded really well to it. Overall, good signs, all around.
I haven't checked out the full set list from the Paris show yet, but I'm hoping now that Shinedown is done with their leg of the tour, AB will extend their set to be a couple songs longer, and I'm hoping those couple songs are Fortress material!
Would much prefer a track from Fortress instead of Before Tomorrow Comes...
Otherwise not a bad set!
Would much prefer a track from Fortress instead of Before Tomorrow Comes...
Otherwise not a bad set!
I don't understand personally why the band keep playing this song. It's probably one of my least fav AB tracks.
Before Tomorrow Comes is literally my least favourite AB album track (least favourite other than Save Me, I think), so other than hoping to see new stuff, not seeing Before Tomorrow Comes for a 5th time was my other most wanted aspect of the setlist...Would much prefer a track from Fortress instead of Before Tomorrow Comes...
Otherwise not a bad set!
I don't understand personally why the band keep playing this song. It's probably one of my least fav AB tracks.
So, are the band still playing the songs way too fast? Songs like Find The Real and Come to Life really lose the groovy quality the studio versions have. Such a shame, and so unnecessary!
So, are the band still playing the songs way too fast? Songs like Find The Real and Come to Life really lose the groovy quality the studio versions have. Such a shame, and so unnecessary!
No, they're playing the songs at the right speed now. I think that coupled with Myles relocating to a spot onstage where he can hear everything better have a lot to do with the band's improved performances this tour, aside from the somewhat disappointing setlists (which are slowly being improved on).
I'm glad I'm not the only one that feels that way about BTC.
Ok, at least, ever since they got out of the UK arena shows, they have started slowly debuting new songs. Here's Bleed it Dry.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qea5hPGwzzM
This is a good progress, now they need to do the hardest (to them) part of this process. Slowly phasing out two or three Blackbird songs.
Ok, at least, ever since they got out of the UK arena shows, they have started slowly debuting new songs. Here's Bleed it Dry.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qea5hPGwzzM
This is a good progress, now they need to do the hardest (to them) part of this process. Slowly phasing out two or three Blackbird songs.
I don't why, but I feel that they are going to debut Fortress (song) at the Amsterdam show since that is going to be the 3rd time in five years that they have played in the same venue.
It was my understanding that the bridge solos were split between Myles and Tremonti, but in order to keep the same feel of the song for the live performance, they had Tremonti do both solos as Myles did the fingerpicking underneath. The feel of the first solo is completely different then the studio track simply because it's not Tremonti's style at all. Might need a bigger OD pedal shift entering the second solo, but good on him for learning it and nailing it!
It was my understanding that the bridge solos were split between Myles and Tremonti, but in order to keep the same feel of the song for the live performance, they had Tremonti do both solos as Myles did the fingerpicking underneath. The feel of the first solo is completely different then the studio track simply because it's not Tremonti's style at all. Might need a bigger OD pedal shift entering the second solo, but good on him for learning it and nailing it!
I might be wrong, but I'm pretty darn sure that the Bleed It Dry solo is 100% Mark in the studio, which is why it is 100% Mark live.
Then mark me impressed! (sorry for the pun...)
I dunno, at Wembley some of the songs were still pretty fast. Weirdly, it's the songs that are already fast that they play at breakneck speed which makes them slightly uncomfortable at times. The slower and more mid-tempo songs they absolutely nail though!So, are the band still playing the songs way too fast? Songs like Find The Real and Come to Life really lose the groovy quality the studio versions have. Such a shame, and so unnecessary!
No, they're playing the songs at the right speed now. I think that coupled with Myles relocating to a spot onstage where he can hear everything better have a lot to do with the band's improved performances this tour, aside from the somewhat disappointing setlists (which are slowly being improved on).
Ok, at least, ever since they got out of the UK arena shows, they have started slowly debuting new songs. Here's Bleed it Dry.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qea5hPGwzzM
This is a good progress, now they need to do the hardest (to them) part of this process. Slowly phasing out two or three Blackbird songs.
I don't why, but I feel that they are going to debut Fortress (song) at the Amsterdam show since that is going to be the 3rd time in five years that they have played in the same venue.
Great video, thanks for linking it! It's really interesting to see them play that one live.
It was my understanding that the bridge solos were split between Myles and Tremonti, but in order to keep the same feel of the song for the live performance, they had Tremonti do both solos as Myles did the fingerpicking underneath. The feel of the first solo is completely different then the studio track simply because it's not Tremonti's style at all. Might need a bigger OD pedal shift entering the second solo, but good on him for learning it and nailing it!
No chance, all Tremonti.
No chance, all Tremonti.
Yep! In my opinion, certainly one of his best solos ever, if not the best! :metal
Ok, at least, ever since they got out of the UK arena shows, they have started slowly debuting new songs. Here's Bleed it Dry.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qea5hPGwzzM
This is a good progress, now they need to do the hardest (to them) part of this process. Slowly phasing out two or three Blackbird songs.
I don't why, but I feel that they are going to debut Fortress (song) at the Amsterdam show since that is going to be the 3rd time in five years that they have played in the same venue.
Great video, thanks for linking it! It's really interesting to see them play that one live.
It was my understanding that the bridge solos were split between Myles and Tremonti, but in order to keep the same feel of the song for the live performance, they had Tremonti do both solos as Myles did the fingerpicking underneath. The feel of the first solo is completely different then the studio track simply because it's not Tremonti's style at all. Might need a bigger OD pedal shift entering the second solo, but good on him for learning it and nailing it!
No chance, all Tremonti.
All right, Lover is played live for the 1st time during the Stockholm show.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPFeMa7HLdc
So that's 9/12 of the Fortress songs played live, at least once. That's a track record better than ABIII where they played only 10/14 songs live, at least once, during their tours in 2010-early 2012.
I think The Peace is Broken, All Ends Well and Fortress
Also, what solos do you all reckon Myles does play? From what I can pick up, I'm thinking it's only the main solo in COA, and the trade off solos in the title track.
I think he plays on CoA, the second half of the Farther Than The Sun Solo (The super high pitched bends), half of Fortress. I thought part of Bleed It Dry, but was rightfully put in my place :P
Maybe the beginning Lover solo too. Just a blind guess there given the feel and tone of it. Could definitely be Mark though.
Out of curiosity, where do you guys all see the band going musically from here on the next album? I have a few thoughts myself, based on a few songs off of Fortress......
.....Thoughts?
I think Myles Kennedy is clearly the better musician and singer, but when I listen to My Own Prison or even Human Clay.. that dude did have a very cool, powerful voice. Breaks my heart, really.
I think Myles Kennedy is clearly the better musician and singer, but when I listen to My Own Prison or even Human Clay.. that dude did have a very cool, powerful voice. Breaks my heart, really.
There's no question Scott Stapp was a terrific singer in the beginning of his musical career, even with all the flack he (or rather Creed itself) has gotten. Those two albums you mention are GREAT albums, and are the stand outs of the post-grunge era. Stapp had a fantastic crooning voice back then. Faceless Man, Pity For A Dime, Torn, Beautiful, and Wash Away Those Years have some of the best vocals he's performed.
YES! Just got tickets 2nd hand (cheaper) for the AB show tonight in Amsterdam! My brother and I are going with both our girlfriends AND our mama! My mother's favorite AB tunes are Brand New Start and Blackbird.. I'm thinking she'll be lucky tonight. As for myself, I'm dying to hear 'Fortress' live.
I find it a bit odd that they don't play the title track from the new album. It's probably the best on the album and would absolutely slay live.
......Alter Bridge are (perhaps contrary to the ABIII tour) on top of their game and are perhaps the best ROCK band in the world today. :metal
......Alter Bridge are (perhaps contrary to the ABIII tour) on top of their game and are perhaps the best ROCK band in the world today. :metal
Great review! Thanks for posting it, sounds like an amazing time :metal
Can't wait for US tour dates!!! From what I've seen from this tour, I think you are right, AB is at the top of their game and should certainly be considered one of the best, if not the best hard rock band out there right now!
No Fortress :(.
But what we did get was a revamped vision of what Alter Bridge can be. Gone are the days of awkward chorus FX on the vocals and songs being played too fast for their own good. A world of difference! They're playing with more respect to the original songs. With a steadier groove and the right tempo for each song, you get dragged in more, and Myles has the time for his vocals to give his full attention to every note. The results are scaringly good, at times even surpassing studio work. He did some ridiculously bluesy variations in the verses of Blackbird.
Great, great set. Amazing performance, the mix was really good, and I really thought the band were having a blast. There was always a gap in between songs but that's for a good purpose: the click track. Flip is really groovin' naturally with it.
Halestorm were great! Didn't know them so they were a nice surprise. That singer lady is amazing! She also came on stage with Myles for a beautiful version of Watch Over You.
Highlights:
Halestorm putting on a very energetic show
Cry of Achilles bridge (the huge break with the bass riff) and Myles' guitar solo. The sheer volume was breathtaking.
Brand New Start
BLACKBIRD - Don't ever drop that from the set please!
Calm The Fire vocal intro, huge!
Waters Rising with Myles announcing Mark on lead vox - that dude can sing!
Farther than the sun intro riff!
Slip to the Void
Broken Wings
Ghosts of Days Gone By - I don't wanna die!!
Watch Over You
Ties That Bind - doesn't get old
A bass pick from Brian Marshall that landed in my eye, and me finding it on the ground! Way cool!
Lowlights:
No Fortress
No optimal sound during the opener Addicted to Pain - but I'm thinking the band is doing that on purpose. Better have that one ruined by the sound than a song like Cry of Achilles.
People singing annoyingly loud and out of tune
CELLPHONES - I could rant a page full on this
Being the driver for the night
Okay.. Before Tomorrow Comes. I understand why they play it. It got a lot of love from the audience. Luckily they launched into Farther than the Sun straight after. Makes for a great contrast. Dragging Generic AB Song vs Extremy Badass RIFF Turned Up To Eleven and Tuned The F**k Down!
Verdict of the night:
Alter Bridge are (perhaps contrary to the ABIII tour) on top of their game and are perhaps the best ROCK band in the world today. :metal
I have come to the conclusion that Fortress is AB's best album.
I have come to the conclusion that Fortress is AB's best album.
I have come to the conclusion that Fortress is AB's best album.
I just didn't want to jump the gun and be hasty, but it really is their best, by quite a long mile too.
This is as good as it gets, everyone. They finally played it in their final show of this Europe tour. Hopefully, they can keep playing it, because this is just outright awesome.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HJQunW4uwY
Rumors are now floating around that AB has pushed their US tour back to late spring rather than the beginning of the year :sad:
Rumors are now floating around that AB has pushed their US tour back to late spring rather than the beginning of the year :sad:
Yeah, which I find to be incredibly disappointing. I've heard it's either because the band wants to spend some time with their families (which would be understandable) or they're being forced by some other faction into delaying the US tour.
Rumors are now floating around that AB has pushed their US tour back to late spring rather than the beginning of the year :sad:
So they will end up playing for 1,000 people in smaller cities/towns and maybe what, like 2,000 or so in bigger cities? Compare that to the arenas in the UK that have more than 10,000 people showing up to see the band. So, then the band will say to themselves, "well the US just still isn't embracing us, I guess we need to stick to touring Europe". When in reality, I think there is much more market potential for AB in the states if they would go about it the right way.
Yep, those are the rumors. :tdwn . There also might be some rumors that they may hit South America and Japan before hitting Soundwave, maybe at the request of Roadrunner.
...It's just the people that want to see them as a headlining act, but may not get that chance, since the timeline would be getter closer to the US festivals, that I'm sad for them about....
Well, it's confirmed. The rumors are true. AB will be hitting Japan about a week before Soundwave. Good for them hitting a new area that they have never played before.
https://www.alterbridge.com/news/2013-12/alter-bridge-to-rock-japan-in-february.aspx
Still waiting for them US tour dates to be announced, but I'll be patient for now.
We are pleased to announce the first dates of our Spring USA Tour. All tickets go on sale Friday the 13th. More dates will be announced. Here is what we have so far...
Apr 14 - Dallas, TX - House Of Blues
Apr 15 - Houston, TX - House Of Blues
Apr 19 - Atlanta, GA - Tabernacle
Apr 21 - Baltimore, MD - Rams Head Live
Apr 22 - Boston, MA - Royale Boston
Apr 24 - New York, NY - Best Buy Theater
May 1 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue
344 Alter Bridge Best Buy Theater
New York, N.Y.
May 19, 2011
$50,500
2,150 / 2,150
1 / 1
$30, $25
AEG Live
https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alter-bridge-fortress-the-sound-the-story-instructional-dvd-coming-in-january/
WOW!! I will definitely grab this.
https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alter-bridge-fortress-the-sound-the-story-instructional-dvd-coming-in-january/
WOW!! I will definitely grab this.
Yeah this looks really cool even if you aren't a musician or a guitar player!
I'm reading some comments regarding the Sound and the Story instructional DVD, at the ABNation forums, and I'm seeing comments that the dvd plays whole tracks instrumentally before starting the lesson.
I'm like, man, that's excellent, since I sometimes want to sing some of their songs karaoke-style, like All Ends Well, but only the singles from the 1st two albums have karaoke versions.
Sigh.... $40 bucks for this though. This might be too much for me though. I know its going to be worth it for the 6+ hours of content, but I just can't justify spending that much money on one product. $30 is my threshold, but setting it at that price is silly. Dang it. Oh well.
Boy, Never Say Die (Outright) is just a powerful track. Wonder why they'd left it as a bonus track, but I suppose it's because the uplifting sound of the song contrasts with the darker atmosphere of the album. Anyway it's great- and it would be a perfect closer for every concert they do.
I'm super pissed that they are only doing the festivals in Australia. I was hoping for some side shows.
I'm super pissed that they are only doing the festivals in Australia. I was hoping for some side shows.
Did you see them with Steel Panther a couple of years back?. I did and wasn't particularly impressed - very muddy sound and the songs chosen were just okay. Maybe it was partly because having Steel Panther open for you is a real curse ;D ......almost anything would be a letdown. About 30% of the crowd just left after Steel Panther too if I recall correct.
I'll admit I was there more as an SP fan , but even so they were just okay.
Tremonti > You
Calm down man, I was talking about the band Tremonti, which I was listening to when I posted that :lol. There was a thread about the band but was too lazy to find it. I wasn't referring to you specifically. :chillTremonti > You
That cuts deep.
How old are you? 12?
FTR I listen to Alter Bridge for the songs and not because I rate Tremonti as some sort of guitar hero. I would rate him a very solid player
I'm super pissed that they are only doing the festivals in Australia. I was hoping for some side shows.
Did you see them with Steel Panther a couple of years back?. I did and wasn't particularly impressed - very muddy sound and the songs chosen were just okay. Maybe it was partly because having Steel Panther open for you is a real curse ;D ......almost anything would be a letdown. About 30% of the crowd just left after Steel Panther too if I recall correct.
I'll admit I was there more as an SP fan , but even so they were just okay.
Boy, Never Say Die (Outright) is just a powerful track. Wonder why they'd left it as a bonus track, but I suppose it's because the uplifting sound of the song contrasts with the darker atmosphere of the album. Anyway it's great- and it would be a perfect closer for every concert they do.
Good news, people that reads this thread and is from Australia. AB has got themselves booked into some sideshows. The other act playing is not Steel Panther, thankfully. It's Living Colour.
https://themusic.com.au/news/all/2014/01/17/alter-bridge-and-living-colour-lock-in-two-sidewaves/
None of AB's albums have really been growers for me ever, but then again, they are easily one of my favorite bands so I typically enjoy most of their work as soon as I hear it. I will say this about Fortress though; even though I liked it from the first listen, there is so much going on throughout that record that it took me many, many additional listens to fully appreciate all the work AB had done.
I'm rather new to Alter Bridge, but Myles Kennedy has quickly become one of my favorite vocalists. I don't necessarily think it always works out musically, but color me intriqued by the progressive elements they've added to their last 2 albums. I even hear bits of Bach and other classical stuff in their music.
I'm rather new to Alter Bridge, but Myles Kennedy has quickly become one of my favorite vocalists. I don't necessarily think it always works out musically, but color me intriqued by the progressive elements they've added to their last 2 albums. I even hear bits of Bach and other classical stuff in their music.
Yes! Like Wayward One....the chorus riff is Bach's Bourrée in E minor
Oh yeah!!!! Can't wait!! :metal :metal
Hopefully this live album actually comes out on schedule, AB have a history of having live releases delayed...
Oh yeah!!!! Can't wait!! :metal :metal
Hopefully this live album actually comes out on schedule, AB have a history of having live releases delayed...
They only had one incident of live releases being delayed and, naturally, I blame the 1st two record labels they signed with for that. The Wembley DVD was released in a timely manner. Right?
Yep, the Live From Amsterdam DVD was delayed. It was slotted to be released in 2009, wasn't released until early 2011. That was somewhat of an ugly moment for them.
In the latest episode of Fuse Follows, hard rockers Myles Kennedy and Mark Tremonti of Alter Bridge let us tail them around NYC as they deliver a live radio performance, go record shopping in Greenwich Village and impulse-buy some vintage guitars.
While swinging through Q104.3 rock radio, singer-guitarist Kennedy and lead guitarist Tremonti play an acoustic a set and encounter a fan who tells Kennedy how much she loves his former band, The Mayfield Four, a relatively obscure act from the '90s.
"That record was so under the radar, there weren't that many copies printed," an astonished Kennedy says after the meeting. "So any time someone comes up and mentions they listened to it, it's nice."
Tremonti reminds Kennedy that Mayfield Four used to open for his old band—Creed—which is what connected the two in the first place. "That's why we came calling," Tremonti says. "I had a buddy who was like, 'Hey man, remember this band that used to open for you guys? The singer was amazing.' He had the CD in his car and was playing it. That's when I was like, 'Yeah, this guy is… he's okay.'"
Inside Greenwich Village's Generation Records, Tremonti explains the influence of thrash on his style. "Riff-wise, I take a lot from Slayer," he acknowledges. "But I didn’t realize it until I got older."
Flipping through old records, Kennedy comes across an LP from vocal legend Dionne Warwick. "Her string arranger actually gave me my very first shot," Kennedy recalls. "Back in the early '90s he produced a record I did with a group called Citizen Swing. Every time I hear Dionne Warwick I think of this guy, Joe Kloess, who gave me my first real shot. Gotta love Dionne for that."
To see Kennedy & Tremonti testing out two vintage guitars in a music store, watch the full episode of Fuse Follows above. As Tremonti puts it, "Who would have thought we'd walk into [a guitar shop] and spend my kid's tuition today?"
Looks like 'Cry of Achilles' is going to be the next single!
Looks like 'Cry of Achilles' is going to be the next single!
Does the word 'single' even mean anything anymore?
Not really, but any chance AB can try to send out one track for radio listeners (as rare as it may seem nowadays) to listen to and try to gain new fans like that is always a good thing and Cry of Achilles could be that big chance that could get them over in the US in that sense, but that's my optimism though.
Hopefully there is no radio edit!
The song is perfection. I think Alter Bridge would fight to not have a radio edit. I remember Mark fighting for the solo on Open Your Eyes not being cut out by radio stations.
The song is perfection. I think Alter Bridge would fight to not have a radio edit. I remember Mark fighting for the solo on Open Your Eyes not being cut out by radio stations.
I never understood why they bothered cutting the last like two bars from the end of the solo going back into the chorus.
The song is perfection. I think Alter Bridge would fight to not have a radio edit. I remember Mark fighting for the solo on Open Your Eyes not being cut out by radio stations.
I never understood why they bothered cutting the last like two bars from the end of the solo going back into the chorus.
Better question: Who hears that solo and thinks to cut any of it?
^^ I don't know why but, with questions like this, I always have one default answer. I blame Wind-Up Records.
Are there enough people going to the NYC show 4/24 to arrange a DTF meetup?
Alter Bridge deserves to be one of the biggest bands in North America.
Typically by a fourth album and a decade together, an average hard rock group’s popularity will wane significantly. Just the opposite has happened in the case of Alter Bridge—and rightfully so. 2013’s Fortress has only fortified and expanded Alter Bridge Nation, leaving last night’s second tour show in Houston completely sold out. You could barely move within the venue.
It didn’t feel like the House of Blues though. Myles Kennedy, Mark Tremonti, Brian Marshall, and Scott Phillips made it feel as if they were back in front of the packed house at Wembley Arena. That’s one of many reasons the band warrant massive recognition and super stardom over here.
“Addicted to Pain” ignited the onslaught with Tremonti’s precision shredding and riffing and Kennedy’s distinct wail. All four members captured the exact bombast of the recorded material, while infusing an extra kick live, impressively. "Find the Real" teetered between a shuddering pinch harmonic and a pounding rhythm. In the middle of "Come to Life", the sound subsided momentarily from the stage as the entire crowd sang on cue, “Don’t forget we’re here to stay”. The line held seriously weight as Alter Bridge have been through it all from multiple label changes and the proverbial "starting over" after Creed, and they’re still trudging along stronger than ever.
Kennedy smiled, "This is a real treat for us. We’ve all sold this out together, apparently. That’s good to see in the U.S. of A, rock ‘n’ roll alive and well".
That’s the point most people are missing though. The band gets it as do the countless rock fans out there. There’s a need for Alter Bridge.
In a day and age where fashion, social media, and culture subsume the actual music, it’s invigorating to watch an outfit like Alter Bridge thrive stateside. Coachella’s about being noticed for something other than music, as are most festivals in North America. It’s a party culture, and it doesn’t matter if you can rip like these guys. However, it should matter. It did in the seventies, eighties, and nineties.
Moreover, the rock market has become strictly "heritage", whether it’s Jane's Addiction and Alice in Chains touring together or any other classic pairing, Alter Bridge only has ten years under its belt as a brand. Their contemporaries often boast many more.
This quartet could lead a new guard. Keep in mind these guys sold out Wembley in the UK and will be a main stage act at Download. They’re gods over in the UK and they are here too, but more Americans need to recognize that fact too.
Speaking of divine, "Cry of Achilles" bobbed from a tribal drum beat by Phillips as Kennedy finger-picked the charging clean intro before Tremonti engaged full-on six-string destruction. "Brand New Start" sounded stadium-ready with Kennedy’s voice soaring all the way back to his native Washington from Texas. "Ties That Bind" remained just hypnotically heavy, while Tremonti took the mic for the apocalyptic "Waters Rising", another Fortress standout.
"Isolation" shook the venue with a flawless delivery and unanimous sing-a-long, and Kennedy conducted the audience during a bruising "White Knuckles" that left everybody gut-punched and begging for more. "Metalingus" saw Kennedy belt out a seismic refrain as Tremonti’s laser-like fretwork practically melted his guitar neck.
An emotional highpoint came during their very own "Stairway to Heaven", "Blackbird". The slow simmering build eventually took flight into an earth-shattering refrain wrapped in more guitar fireworks. Everybody sang each word, practically humming the chord changes as well. Kennedy took to the stage with just an acoustic guitar for the poignant ballad "Watch Over You", while "Open Your Eyes" had everybody watching.
The members took a short reprieve before returning with the dark falsetto of Fortress’s "Calm the Fire", which burned right into more elegantly tight soloing from Tremonti. Speaking of soloing, Kennedy and Tremonti both practically tore a hole in the sky from all of the fast shredding leading into "Rise Today", giving a fitting conclusion to a robust instrumental showing the entire night.
Given all of this, Alter Bridge deserve to be owning arenas across the United States. Their trajectory hints at it too. Fortress remains a genuine artistic milestone and a crucial rock record. It’s time for a revolution over here. It’s time for Alter Bridge to rule...
Read more at https://www.artistdirect.com/entertainment-news/article/feature-why-alter-bridge-should-be-one-of-the-biggest-bands-in-america/10937393#v1y6oivDZvqXL2vt.99
I saw them live for the first time in NYC on Thursday and it was a tight performance! On the DVDs, they played the songs A LOT faster but everything is just a lot tighter now! Played at the same tempo as the album.
They were very interactive with the crowd which was awesome. :tup
Great show, great band... They need to be bigger in the US!
How does one try to be bigger? Get an opening slot of one of the bigger bands in the States? There are few bands out there where I can accept AB opening for them and that will work well in their favor (Iron Maiden, Foo Fighters, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains comes to mind for me).
I mean for goodness sake's mon, Myles/Slash/Conspirators got an opening slot for Aerosmith in the states for the summer while, in Europe festivals, AB is subheading three shows (two festivals and one non-festival show with AB opening) with Aerosmith being the headliners.
The only outlets, I can see AB getting bigger in the states is hope that Cry of Achilles blows up as a single and raise their visibility or open for a bigger band that's not already committed to shows. Quite frankly, I'm not going to think about any of this after AB is going to play a headlining show in LA whenever it may be.
The Project
American rock band Alter Bridge is giving you an amazing opportunity to create the official music video for another song 'Cry Of Achilles'! The project allows complete creative freedom - so take a listen and be inspired by this track!
Deadline for submissions is June 16, 2014, 23:59 GMT time.
Awards & Judging
The selected video will receive $7,000 and have their video used as the official music video for Cry Of Achilles!
The official selection and finalist group will be chosen by Alter Bridge and Genero.
It is the general consensus that ABIII is their weakest album. I agree to an extent, but to me, some of Alter Bridge's best moments shine on that album. The bridge to All Hope Is Gone is beautiful eerie, and epic. That song, and Slip To The Void, is easily a top 5 Alter Bridge song. I also love the darkness of Show Me A Sign. It reminds me of Black Sabbath's Black Sabbath. The darkness is in the music, not necessarily in the lyrics. Very demonic and evil in that sense. The songs after Show Me A Sign are the weakest of that album, but highlights like Coeur d'Alene and Words Darker Than Their Wings keep me interested.
All I know is that they're playing with a click track nowadays, which results in the songs being played at the right tempos. I've always had that one gripe, and the last time I saw them live they were so much more spot on because of that adjustment!
I enjoy all of their albums, but Fortress is easily the best thing they've done to date, in my opinion. I haven't been paying attention to the band lately, but have they finally doing a more balanced setlist yet?
Where's the love for One Day Remains? The first thing you hear from AB is Find The Real, followed by the title track, which is one of the greatest things they have done. Myles vocals shine above just about anything else he's worked on, and the guitar is undiluted Mark. Say what you will about Myles guitar skill, the music took an undeniable turn after ODR. Don't get me wrong, I love the direction they've gone, but ODR still speaks to me as "We are Alter Bridge and this is what we do!"
I enjoy all of their albums, but Fortress is easily the best thing they've done to date, in my opinion. I haven't been paying attention to the band lately, but have they finally doing a more balanced setlist yet?
The show was called Rock AM Ring. Rock on the Range was last month. I was pretty miffed that the hosts was talking, before the live stream began, while the band was playing Addicted to Pain. That event was similar to when the hosts was talking while they were playing Slip to the Void back in 2011. In fact, I believe they acknowledged that this year before the live stream to AB's set began yet they still were talking while Addicted to Pain was playing. I wanted to slap those hosts so badly that day.
I don't know why they keep playing Metalingus.
The full concert video from the Graspop Festival is out. I wonder how the user did it? I was trying all day, yesterday, to download that thing from the source of the stream.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UY2iougDkFE
I hope they keep playing Before Tomorrow Comes, preferably in the middle of the set: acts as a nice restroom break.
Heh, it's Luna Park all over again. :lolUnfortunately
... It's the easiest "Shut up, and take my money" deal ever for me and, uhhhhh, yeah. We'll see what happens.
I don't know how to explain this one. I've tried to justify DC3's actions and I don't know. I hear word that the band wants to have more extras and bonus footage. Also, I hear word that they made a deal with Palladia to show the show on the channel which means that the DVD gets delayed 3-6 months after the showing. Other than that, I don't know. It's the easiest "Shut up, and take my money" deal ever for me and, uhhhhh, yeah. We'll see what happens.
I hope they keep playing Before Tomorrow Comes, preferably in the middle of the set: acts as a nice restroom break.
On the contrary, I'd love for them to kick that song the hell out of the setlist and put in something from Fortress, AB III or One Day Remains in its place.
I love the band and their music, but by God, their love affair with Blackbird in the setlist pisses me off.
In these darker times, I'm just glad that these guys announced a fall US tour!!!
10/4 — Louisville, Ky. — Louder Than Life Festival
10/7 — Bethlehem, Pa. — Sands Bethlehem Event Center
10/9 — Worcester, Mass. — The Palladium
10/10 — Sayreville, N.J. — Starland Ballroom
10/12 — Huntington, N.Y. — The Paramount
10/13 — Lancaster, Pa. — Freedom Hall / Lancaster County Convention Center
10/15 — Northfield, Ohio — Hard Rock Live
10/16 — St. Louis, Mo. — The Pageant
10/20 — Denver, Colo. — Paramount Theatre
10/22 — Seattle, Wash. — Showbox SODO
10/23 — Spokane, Wash. — Knitting Factory
10/25 — San Francisco, Calif. — Warfield
10/26 — Los Angeles, Calif. — Wiltern
https://loudwire.com/alter-bridge-fall-2014-u-s-tour-dates/
Their LA show is at the Wiltern. Cool. I will do my best to be there. I won't let that being on a Sunday affect me and all.
Man I wish they were coming to Pittsburgh on this tour, dying to see them! Maybe I'll look into making the road trip to Ohio...
Thanks to fortress i'm starting to get into this band. What an amazing album.
If you haven't heard anything prior to Fortress, its a great place to start! I would then recommend taking a listen to Blackbird (album) next.I have heard Blackbird. Love a lot of songs in there, but I have a major problem with most southern-rock sounding songs in Alter Bridge's discography :lol
Bumping, bumping, bumping. So with Glenn Hughes and California Breed being the main supporting band for AB during this fall US tour, AB just now decided to do this. They played Deep Purple's Highway Star (a cover that they hadn't played in probably nine years or so) with Glenn Hughes and I think the result is pretty good.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xW5nILGTte4
I'm so excited. Only three more days until the show in LA. Having something like this would be a good addition to the show.
This is extremely difficult because they're all so good. But here goes nothin':
Blackbird
ABIII
One Day Remains
Fortress
Looking forward to a new album already lol.
I've always said this about AB III, but, if they had cut that album down to about 10 songs, it would've been incredible. Some of the best musical moments in Alter Bridge's catalogue are on that album, from the vocal harmony Slip To The Void, the groove in the riff of Isolation, to the bridge and solo on All Hope Is Gone. The first 5 songs on that album are incredible pieces of rock n roll.
1. Slip To The Void
2. Isolation
3. Ghosts of Days Gone By
4. All Hope Is Gone
5. Still Remains
6. Wonderful Life
7. I Know It Hurts
8. Show Me A Sign
9. Coeur D'Alene
10. Words Darker Than Their Wings
I don't know if each album got better, but I'd venture to say that each Alter Bridge album got more progressive than the previous release. And in general, I'd say that's a good thing.
I have been going back through the discography again lately. I would just like to say that Cry of Achilles kicked my ass today. :metal
1. Blackbird
2. Cry of Achilles
3. Fortress
4. Come To Life
5. Burn It Down
:facepalm: I Was a fan of Alter Bridge from the beginning, Creed was one of my favoiuritre bands in the early 2000s. Good as it is One Day Remains is it just doesn't have an individual song that cracks the top 5, though The End Is Here is close.1. Blackbird
2. Cry of Achilles
3. Fortress
4. Come To Life
5. Burn It Down
Notice how we're the only ones so far to list anything from ODR? You can tell when people got on bored the AB train. I swapped out Burn It Down for Fortress/Achilles.
Even though Open Your Eyes was not really as heavy or pseudo-prog-like as the later tracks (heck, I think it got compared to Higher, one of the most overplayed and, sometimes, maligned tracks amongst rock music, in the early days.), Open Your Eyes was the song that started it all for me which that thought can be the same for some AB fans. That or Metalingus.
The End Is Here is soooo good!
You like Alter Bridge too, Wolfie?
BTW Still don't have Live In Milan :-\
All righty, then. We are in January, and now things are developing a little more in terms of the creation of AB V. Soon enough, in like a few weeks, Myles is heading towards Orlando and off to the races we go.
In addition, Fret12 has got some products/services related towards AB V, including a VIP for Life, one day Studio visit, Listening Party, etc.
https://fret12.com/store/alter-bridge
Did they take some of these things directly from the Tremonti project or did they already have things like "your name in the liner notes" and stuff?
Anyway, I'd personally never lay down so much money, there's not a band in the world I love THAT much, and I love AB quite a bit. (besides, $2500 for VIP for life is 10 months of part-time jobbing for me)
Did they take some of these things directly from the Tremonti project or did they already have things like "your name in the liner notes" and stuff?
Anyway, I'd personally never lay down so much money, there's not a band in the world I love THAT much, and I love AB quite a bit. (besides, $2500 for VIP for life is 10 months of part-time jobbing for me)
I hope Fret 12 produces the music videos and live concert videos. Time to step away from DC3, and onward to better things!
Did they take some of these things directly from the Tremonti project or did they already have things like "your name in the liner notes" and stuff?
Anyway, I'd personally never lay down so much money, there's not a band in the world I love THAT much, and I love AB quite a bit. (besides, $2500 for VIP for life is 10 months of part-time jobbing for me)
There is no possible way they can Fortress, no chance.They don't need to, they have already Fortressed. :neverusethis:
There is no possible way AB can top Fortress, no chance. I'm sure they will produce a brilliant album, but that can't top that album.
They probably can't top Fortress. But they can make the new album better... in a different way.
I don't think it can really be 'better' and 'different' at the same time.
I don't think it can really be 'better' and 'different' at the same time.
In addition, I kinda want them to do an instrumental as well. They sure have came a long way from being that band that was commonly called "Creed with another singer" and while they certainly have their own identity with a fanbase that matches that identity (apart from Creed, apart from Slash), I feel that there are still people (a small minority), today, making these comparisons. I think them doing an instrumental would put these comparisons away once and for all and it's certainly an option for them to take on away from the lyric-writing and the big chorus sing-a-longs and whatnot and do something different from that.
All right, all right. So where are they now? Well, they are at Mark's house sorting out what they want to sort out before heading to the studio.
On another note, they are going to actually start touring earlier than what they usually do (tour Europe and the UK in the fall) and that is they are going to tour in the US in the summer with Breaking Benjamin and Disturbed. I do not know what DTF's opinions on those bands are, but at least, AB is on a tour that maybe can them new fans and build more anticipation for AB V. It's a good time indeed. Things are materializing well.
https://loudwire.com/disturbed-breaking-benjamin-2016-tour/
I saw that about the tour and literally laughed out loud. They are going to blow the closers off of the stage.
Well, this is an interesting find. A contestant from The Voice UK decided to sing Watch Over You. The end result of that performance? Well, I'll let you guys be the judge of it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M29wM6oRp5E
No matter where this band lands, i will always support them. I just hope to God that jumping from label to label won't be the end of them
I hate Breaking Benjamin with a passion, and I don't really want to see Disturbed, so their U.S. tour isn't really appealing to me, unfortunately.
No UK.
DAMMIT BREXIT.
Ah right. :lolNo UK.
DAMMIT BREXIT.
This poster was not convincing enough for you?
Today, AB is having their Listening Party where those are willing to part with $250 are going to hear the new studio album before anybody else does and see AB play a set. Before that, WJRR, the rock radio station in Orlando, had a brief Q&A on Facebook with AB. Some of the answers involves some context regarding the new album. Here's the vod.
https://www.facebook.com/1011wjrr/videos/10153825004707972/
One of the reasons we went with that title was that a lot of the themes on The Last Hero evolve around the hero concept and the need for heroes in our society and bleeders and what we do to our leaders and heroes or role models and how we tend to build them up, tear them down. Also, there's a song, actually one of Brian favorite songs, that pays tribute to heroes, whether it's someone who serves the country, serve the community. So yea, that theme runs throughout quite a bit of the record and that's why we thought that title would bring it together.
Track titles:
Show Me A Leader
The Writing on the Wall
The Other Side
My Champion
Poison In Your Veins
Cradle To The Grave
Losing Patience
This Side of Fate
You Will Be Remembered
Crows On A Wire
Twilight
Island of Fools
The Last Hero
Last Of Our Kind
He also said there weren't any acoustic guitars that you would notice.
He also said there weren't any acoustic guitars that you would notice.
Not sure I agree. Watch Over You is one of my favourite AB songs of all time, and I'd classify that as a ballad, even though it doesn't use acoustic guitars.
And here is the album artwork
(https://i.imgur.com/GzOcTE2.png)
What do ya'll think? Different from the previous four albums, and there's a new logo. Getting a 80s/90s rock band vibe from that logo, like Poison and Fuel
I dig it. When it comes to Alter Bridge, I am just happy to see some change from status quo.
Logo's close enough to the original that it doesn't bug me too much. I'll miss the stylized letters though. It's different. I like it.
Chiming in to say that I'm eagerly expecting this one. But like Scorpion I'm not sure if the complete lack of ballads is a good thing. They had some decent ones in the past and I wouldn't mind another one.Not just that, but there's a risk of there being less variety of moods and styles. I suppose they could come up with other ways to bring variety in, but if it's just going to be a whole load of heavy rockers, then I don't know how interesting I'll find it as a whole.
Not just that, but there's a risk of there being less variety of moods and styles. I suppose they could come up with other ways to bring variety in, but if it's just going to be a whole load of heavy rockers, then I don't know how interesting I'll find it as a whole.
Not a fan of the artwork, but it's not an issue, still really looking forward to it.
Not a fan of the artwork, but it's not an issue, still really looking forward to it.
Same here. Not a fan of the artwork but AB has never disappointed with the music.
Totally pumped for some new AB. I've listened to some of the Tremonti stuff, which is good, but nothing tops the working tandem of Myles and Mark.
What's great about the songwriting teamwork of Myles and Mark are the different styles each has, and their different influences. Mark comes from a metalhead background who cites Celtic Frost as his inspiration, and Myles comes from a blues, motown influence and often cites his inspirations from Marvin Gaye.
So....Marvin Gaye + Celtic Frost = Alter Bridge? :lol
To me, AB is an awesome amalgam of styles from 70s hard rock, classical music, folk and blues, modern metal, grunge, a touch of Prog and even religious music come together to form an awesome organic whole. Can I say awesome twice in the same sentence? ;D Myles and Mark mesh like Page's dark mystic to Plant's sunshiny hippy.
^^ Arghhhhh, I'm seeing word that it is leaning towards no........ Not going to be playing the new single until it is out (probably in August).....
It still amazes me how they are not bigger in the states.
Yeah, they are only playing 6 songs, when they are in the amphitheaters, which is only 30-35 minutes to them. So basically, if you want to see AB this summer, you probably going to have to go for either Breaking Benjamin and/or Disturbed as well (which some people here are not willing to, which is fine, since those bands certainly have qualities that can turn people off of them.) Also, I hear the crowds are somewhat dead when they are playing. The curse of being an opening band. Oh well, any chance they get to gain new fans, they might as well take it while they can.
Was all that so they could open for two bands that don't even really deserve to share the stage with them?Who are you to decide who deserves to share the stage with them? I'm sure the guys from AB have a little more respect for Disturbed and BB than you do, thankfully.
They HAVE TO be planning a headlining tour for next year. How could they not be? They've worked so hard over the last 13 years to create what THEY WANTED to create, and gained more and more fans, and critical acclaim, along the way. Was all that so they could open for two bands that don't even really deserve to share the stage with them? With all do respect to Disturbed and BB, they'll be back stage every night hearing AB kill it, and then have to take the stage after that. That has to be a blow to the egos that reside in those "rock stars".
Was all that so they could open for two bands that don't even really deserve to share the stage with them?Who are you to decide who deserves to share the stage with them? I'm sure the guys from AB have a little more respect for Disturbed and BB than you do, thankfully.
^^ It always comes to this question. How can Alter Bridge can make new fans in a different approach? There's only so much they can do to get new fans for being the band that's known as "3/4ths of Creed with a different singer," "the guys that did Edge's theme song," or "the band whose vocalist is in Slash's solo band."
First song preview appears to have surfaced on Amazon Japan's site, short clip of "Show Me a Leader"... Rumor is that this is the intro to the song:
https://www.amazon.co.jp/Show-Me-a-Leader/dp/B01IOI6NVO
First song preview appears to have surfaced on Amazon Japan's site, short clip of "Show Me a Leader"... Rumor is that this is the intro to the song:
https://www.amazon.co.jp/Show-Me-a-Leader/dp/B01IOI6NVO
LISTEN TO SHOW ME A LEADER RIGHT MEOW!!!
https://blog.siriusxm.com/2016/07/25/alter-bridge-premieres-new-song-show-me-a-leader-exclusively-on-octane/
:metal
I'm sure the full version is out there somewhere with the intro in there......
As for the radio version, I'm not feeling it yet, but maybe, it gets a lot better with the intro in there. A different vibe I feel than Isolation and Addicted To Pain. At least, AB is back.
I feel like it's got to be the streaming source from that Sirius site, because that Youtube video that ninja posted, with the intro included, sounded not as loud.
Interesting song, I enjoyed it and it sounds a bit more out of Myles' playbook than Tremonti's, especially coming from Myles' recent work with Slash.Yeah, my first thought upon hearing it was that it sounds like it could easily be a Slash song.
Oh yeah, that intro make the difference. Alter Bridge showing off those latin licks again ala Ties That Bind, Avaho Rabo Taco Salad.
I like Myles's solo in the beginning.....has a In The Presence of Enemies pt 1 vibe to it
The news just keeps a rolling. They got some headlining US shows, some of them in areas that I really did not expect them to hit. They probably will hit the bigger areas (New York, LA, Chicago, etc.) early next year.
SEP. 22 Destin, FL, USA - Club LA
SEP. 25 San Antonio, TX, USA - The Aztec Theater
SEP. 28 Minneapolis, MN, USA - Skyway Theatre
SEP.29 Lincoln, NE, USA - Bourbon Theatre
OCT. 4 Matthews, NC, USA - The Fillmore Charlotte
OCT. 5 Nashville, TN, USA - War Memorial Auditorium
OCT. 8 - Tulsa State Fair
Not bad overall just sounds like a movie soundtrack or something that will be used for an election campaign which is a bit too contrived feeling at the moment. Definitely will be happy to hear the new album.
With this record in particular, there was a lot going on. It’s definitely a snapshot of a short window because the lyrics were put together as we were arranging the record during the first few months of this year. And there was a lot going on, watching the news, paying attention to campaigns and race relations, and just the environment around us. This record was definitely influenced more so than anything by the current state of affairs. So this record kind of tells a story about that. We’re certainly not pushing any sort of agenda or political views by any means, but we’re definitely diving into and taking the pulse of the world around us.
Shooting #Showmealeader video today. I play the part of a guitar wielding elf being chased by wolves through a magical green screen forest:) #alterbridge
Just listened to that teaser and I honestly don't know what to say about that. Wow.
I'm going to reserve judgement until I can (1) listen to the entire song and (2) listen to the song with proper quality.
My initial reaction is that chorus isn't good, especially for AB who, IMO, write consistently strong melodies especially on choruses. But, the lyrics for the verse are much better on paper, and AB can usually bring something interesting to the table in bridges of songs like this, so I'll wait and see.
It's out?
*runs away to google*....
It's getting some backlash because it's Radio-Friendly but I think it's a great song.
The song on the whole sounds like a cross between Journey and AC/DC. Interesting combo and not something I'd expect from Alter Bridge, but it works fine. Again, I prefer the band when they're darker and more brooding, but the whole song is a lot better than I'd thought it was going to be.I know Mark is a huge AC/DC fan, so I'm sure that would explain any nods to them that you hear.
The song on the whole sounds like a cross between Journey and AC/DC. Interesting combo and not something I'd expect from Alter Bridge, but it works fine. Again, I prefer the band when they're darker and more brooding, but the whole song is a lot better than I'd thought it was going to be.I know Mark is a huge AC/DC fan, so I'm sure that would explain any nods to them that you hear.
Outside of the short intro section, I'm not hearing much AC/DC influence on this song TBH.I completely agree.
I think My Champion is fucking great. Could come straight from One Day Remains. Don't know why people would be disappointed with this.
https://rockrevoltmagazine.com/album-review-alter-bridge-the-last-hero/Jesus, what a puff piece. :lol
https://rockrevoltmagazine.com/album-review-alter-bridge-the-last-hero/
On Monday Night Football tonight, they've been playing My Champion right before commercial break all night :metal
On Monday Night Football tonight, they've been playing My Champion right before commercial break all night :metal
It's just a shame that My Champion doesn't mesh very well with the rest of the album, imo. But it's definitely a fun and accessible single! :tup
Hopefully it leads to some people checking out more of AB's music past that one song!
Hopefully, but it's also a bit disheartening to think that AB might find the success they've been looking for for so long through a song that really sells their talents short and feels at odds with the band they've primarily become over the past two or three albums. It's that old conundrum; I want AB to be successful and get the recognition that they've deserved for years- but the material that won over my respect toward them is the sort of thing that isn't all that popular on radio stations.
Nice writeup. Looking forward to it.
Just good to see that they are continue in the more heavier direction. I'm a huge fan of the first album, but happy to hear they are steering so far away from that style too.
Yeah, that's all great news to me.
Nice writeup. Looking forward to it.
Thanks. I've been trying to be mum about it, since I thought it was ridiculous that an album could leak well over three weeks before its public release and figured I'd try to keep quiet for at least a week. But at this point, it's pretty common knowledge that the album is out there and since folks aren't allowed to talk about it at TABN (something that I think is going to backfire for that site), I figured it'd probably be wiser to talk about it here with you guys.
I will say this: Fans of One Day Remains probably won't like this album. I don't want to assume on that, but considering how many folks seem to practically worship that album over at TABN and seemingly almost detest the band's more recent work, it seems like a strong possibility to me. Alter Bridge isn't a hard rock band anymore, despite what Myles and Mark might say. They're a heavy metal/prog metal band, in the vein of Queensryche and the like.
It's also rather noticeably their heaviest album
I use to be a heavily active poster at TABN forums (I'm Electricladyland)....in fact I was member way back in 2004 when it was alterbridgeband, and that's how I discovered Dream Theater. I'll pop in every now and then, but I stopped maybe 5 years ago when everyones thoughts and opinions were challenged by other members, and there was constant name calling. "No you are wrong my opinion only matters they need to go back to their One Day Remains roots you stupid blah blah blah blah." I just got sick and tired of it all. I think things are better though, and there's plenty of good people on that forum, especially those from the ABB.net days
I use to be a heavily active poster at TABN forums (I'm Electricladyland)....in fact I was member way back in 2004 when it was alterbridgeband, and that's how I discovered Dream Theater. I'll pop in every now and then, but I stopped maybe 5 years ago when everyones thoughts and opinions were challenged by other members, and there was constant name calling. "No you are wrong my opinion only matters they need to go back to their One Day Remains roots you stupid blah blah blah blah." I just got sick and tired of it all. I think things are better though, and there's plenty of good people on that forum, especially those from the ABB.net days
I would like to think the name-calling and the negativity has died down relatively enough since they moved servers or reset the forums back in 2012. Some people still like to harp on they think AB needs to go back to ODR-sound, ditch Elvis as a producer, have Myles not play guitar on tour so that he can be more a frontman, etc. There are also people that don't like stuff like the chugga metal riffs or the layering Myles backing vocals that the modern-day AB has incorporated in their songs and that's a fair gripe to feel.
I do feel like the TABN forums is still a good forum to post about anything in (it's still the first place, I'd go to on the web. DTF is the second place I go to afterwards, aside from Twitter.) Things are being tense when closing in on album release day and few people are not really feeling the first singles so far and think The Last Hero may reflect that, but really, does any singles in their catalog really reflect the album as a whole? No, AB has always been more defined and revered on the backs of their albums as a whole rather than "hit" singles.
I will say this. I do think them going back to an ODR-sound may be a step back (though some nods to it, not too much, can be appreciative like in My Champion), since, to me, it would be admitting that Myles failed as a songwriter, lyricist, and guitarist for AB and that's just not true where him taking part in those roles from Blackbird, onwards, has played a huge role in defining AB outside of the shadows of Creed or any other projects that AB members are in. All I can say is we know these guys are top-notch musicians and they always create an album that will reflect that and show their strengths and create songs that people can relate to and get behind and I don't see any reasons why The Last Hero will not show that.
Seeing them next week. Has anyone seen them on this tour? I'm wondering how the opening bands are to see if it's worth getting there early.
Man, this album is an attack on the eardrums. Overall it's definitely their heaviest. Heavy and dark in such a way that the few balladry or happy tracks feel totally out of place.
Myles sounds noticeably pissed off on a few of these tracks and the lyrics and music reinforce that angry feeling impressively. I'm a big fan of tracks like Brand New Start. Can't find such a track here, but that's okay. The band is totally on fire, the riffs are heavy af and the solos are out of this world.
I've been holding out on listening to the album's singles for a while and was able to get access to the leak.
I heard two songs (amazing!), but the mix is noticeably worse. I'm worried that it's the leak and I'm going to hold out for the record before listening to the rest, despite how much I'm dying to hear it.
Those who have heard the leak, can you attest to the sound quality compared to Fortress?
I've been holding out on listening to the album's singles for a while and was able to get access to the leak.
I heard two songs (amazing!), but the mix is noticeably worse. I'm worried that it's the leak and I'm going to hold out for the record before listening to the rest, despite how much I'm dying to hear it.
Those who have heard the leak, can you attest to the sound quality compared to Fortress?
I haven't listened to the leak, but the singles, while loud, don't sound like they actually clip. I mix sounds similar to Fortress but louder, which makes it harder to hear instrument separation.
I haven't listened to the leak, but the singles, while loud, don't sound like they actually clip. I mix sounds similar to Fortress but louder, which makes it harder to hear instrument separation.
Yeah, that's the biggest problem I heard in the mix. Very tough to hear the guitar lines in the background while soundy a bit muddy all-around.
It's a normal characteristic of a poor bit-rate/transcode, which makes me feel like the album itself will sound better (Dust/Cauterize/Fortress all sounded so much better!). I think I'll hold out the extra week or two until I get my hands on the CD. I want to hear every last note in my first runthrough!
Thanks guys!
It's indeed the hottest mastering they've had thus far. Fortress was do-able in that respect, but this one takes it over the edge. I get listening fatigue from this album after 3-4 tracks already. The mix is indeed a lot less clear than Fortress.That's frustrating. I had the same thing with the latest Tremonti album - some great music, but just a bit tiring compared with Cauterize which sounded fantastic.
A real shame because the music is amazing.
It's indeed the hottest mastering they've had thus far. Fortress was do-able in that respect, but this one takes it over the edge. I get listening fatigue from this album after 3-4 tracks already. The mix is indeed a lot less clear than Fortress.That's frustrating. I had the same thing with the latest Tremonti album - some great music, but just a bit tiring compared with Cauterize which sounded fantastic.
A real shame because the music is amazing.
Poison was a good song, but felt a bit....by the numbers.I totally agree with all of this. He's obviously an awesome singer, but that talent makes me want him to branch out and show more variety.
I dunno, so far the three songs have a "good, but pretty standard" feel to them. As if AB didn't go into the studio because they had tons of inspiration, but because it was time for them to go make an album.
I'm also starting to wish Myles would show more diversity. Dude has an insane voice, but for the most part he just sings in the same range constantly. I remember hearing the intro to Into the Void and being like "YES something new!" wish he would do more than the high belting he does in every song now.
Poison was a good song, but felt a bit....by the numbers.I totally agree with all of this. He's obviously an awesome singer, but that talent makes me want him to branch out and show more variety.
I dunno, so far the three songs have a "good, but pretty standard" feel to them. As if AB didn't go into the studio because they had tons of inspiration, but because it was time for them to go make an album.
I'm also starting to wish Myles would show more diversity. Dude has an insane voice, but for the most part he just sings in the same range constantly. I remember hearing the intro to Into the Void and being like "YES something new!" wish he would do more than the high belting he does in every song now.
Seeing them tonight in San Antonio \m/
Seeing them tonight in San Antonio \m/
Ninja'd myself. So bummed because I never made it to the gig. I left Austin at 6pm and massive downpour stormed through. I couldn't see the road. We were driving at 30mph on a 80mph highway. The downpour continued till about 730 and just didn't want to drive all rushed in getting to the gig. I'm hoping there's a 2nd leg. :'( :'(
Poison was a good song, but felt a bit....by the numbers.I totally agree with all of this. He's obviously an awesome singer, but that talent makes me want him to branch out and show more variety.
I dunno, so far the three songs have a "good, but pretty standard" feel to them. As if AB didn't go into the studio because they had tons of inspiration, but because it was time for them to go make an album.
I'm also starting to wish Myles would show more diversity. Dude has an insane voice, but for the most part he just sings in the same range constantly. I remember hearing the intro to Into the Void and being like "YES something new!" wish he would do more than the high belting he does in every song now.
His solo album will hopefully show a lot of variety, it's supposed to be very singer-songwriter acoustic-based stuff. But, I agree, bringing that variety to AB would be awesome.
The Other Side is now out on the usual outlets (Spotify, iTunes, etc.) I only heard the moody intro as a preview when Eddie Trunk played it when he had Mark and Myles as guests, but oh yeah, this song is totally different than the first three songs we've heard so far in the best way possible. It's darker, moodier, heavier. I don't actually think there is another AB song that sounds similar to this as well. Closest is probably Lover or The Uninvited. I like it.THIS is that new sound I've been looking for. Way better than the other songs that have been released.
Don't know where you guys come from, but just assuming most are from America. I wonder why they are not releasing any songs in Europe, the only ones we have gotten are Show Me a Leader and My Champion, looking at this thread it looks like 2 more have been released in the US? Colour me jealous.
Yeah this one works, and I missed the one for Poison In Your Veins. But about an hour ago I'm pretty sure the only video on youtube for The Other Side was an obvious fake one (some 3 minute instrumental). Still weird that they haven't put them on Spotify though, guess I'll wait till the album release then.
Anyway, The Other Side is amazing. This is the stuff I have been waiting for, stylistically a bit similar to Fortress which I kinda missed in the other songs. Haven't heard Poison In Your Veins yet though and I don't have any urge to so I'll just wait until the full album is released.
Yeah this one works, and I missed the one for Poison In Your Veins. But about an hour ago I'm pretty sure the only video on youtube for The Other Side was an obvious fake one (some 3 minute instrumental). Still weird that they haven't put them on Spotify though, guess I'll wait till the album release then.
Anyway, The Other Side is amazing. This is the stuff I have been waiting for, stylistically a bit similar to Fortress which I kinda missed in the other songs. Haven't heard Poison In Your Veins yet though and I don't have any urge to so I'll just wait until the full album is released.
Poison In Your Veins is a solid AB heavy track, nothing ground breaking but a solid tune. The Other Side definitely pushes the boundaries more than Poison.
Yeah, they've mainly been picking the really safe songs for early release so far, imo. The Other Side is the boldest one they've put out there. I'd say songs like Cradle to the Grave, This Side of Fate, Island of Fools and The Last Hero are more akin to TOS in regards to 'pushing the boundaries.'
I can't freakin wait to get my hands on this record. 5 more days!
Well, as we all know, AB had a bit of a struggle over trying to leave to leave Wind-Up Records back in 2006 which led them to buy-out of their contract. One of the sad things about that was that there were certain songs made during the One Day Remains era that people question whether or not these songs would make the light of day. Well, come Friday, one of those songs will be released as a Best Buy exclusive when buying The Last Hero. It's called Breathe and AB released a small preview of it. It reminds me of Metallica's version of Turn The Page.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y62QhCQt1mE&ab_channel=AlterBridge
Yep, it's the original recording. It has that One Day Remains production vibe, which should satisfy the ODR diehards in the ABN forums lol
Well, this is neat. Live Nation will stream the AB concert in Dallas on Friday, the same day The Last Hero comes out.
Announcement Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfvQvFXsJP4&feature=youtu.be&ab_channel=LiveNation
Actual Stream Video: https://youtu.be/aKZ5cmXu3ZE
Well, this is neat. Live Nation will stream the AB concert in Dallas on Friday, the same day The Last Hero comes out.
Announcement Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfvQvFXsJP4&feature=youtu.be&ab_channel=LiveNation
Actual Stream Video: https://youtu.be/aKZ5cmXu3ZE
That is cool. Honest question - do you think they will actually play a good amount of new tunes? So far they have only played Show Me a Leader and My Champion, right?
Well, this is neat. Live Nation will stream the AB concert in Dallas on Friday, the same day The Last Hero comes out.
Announcement Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfvQvFXsJP4&feature=youtu.be&ab_channel=LiveNation
Actual Stream Video: https://youtu.be/aKZ5cmXu3ZE
That is cool. Honest question - do you think they will actually play a good amount of new tunes? So far they have only played Show Me a Leader and My Champion, right?
New album isn't gripping me like Fortress did... could be the whiny/preachy lyrics of The Writing on the Wall or the fact that Every Time I Die also released a new album.
Made it through the album one time so far, work has been busy. My initial reaction is WOW. Great first impression. For me personally, this is the direction I'd hoped AB would continue to go after Fortress. This is borderline prog metal.
More thoughts to come after a few more listens, but man, I'm impressed. How these guys aren't the biggest thing in rock/metal right now is beyond me. :hefdaddy
I often think that as well. But the majority of the people who I try to turn on to this band reject them, mainly because of Myles' voice.
I often think that as well. But the majority of the people who I try to turn on to this band reject them, mainly because of Myles' voice.
Oh yeah, I've heard that before. Opinions are funny like that, in my book Myles Kennedy is the BEST rock/metal singer in the world.
It's so strange to me that their forums would be so full of people who put ODR on a pedestal. If they hadn't moved on from that sound, I never would've become a fan of Alter Bridge at all.
I've had a chance to listen to The Last Hero about three times all the way through.
A couple thoughts (keep in mind this is all still pretty fresh):
My early favorite tracks:
The Other Side - it was the standout single for me before the album was released. Great song, works well in the context of the album.
Cradle to the Grace - loved this one, killer lyrics and melody.
This Side of Fate - AB stretching their wings and mixing up song structures is always a good thing in my book.
Island of Fools - my jaw literally dropped, so heavy, so good.
The Last Hero - fantastic effort with the title track, lots of amazing moments to continue to unpack with this one.
As far as the album overall is concerned, I think the boys sound like they are in top form. Myles' guitar work on this one is the best I've ever heard from him. Mark continues to convince me that he might be the master of the modern heavy riff and his leads sound great as well. Flip and Brian are a rock solid groove section throughout, giving Mark and Myles a great foundation to work on. Its definitely not a perfect record, the production is a bit tiring and busy but overall, it's really not that different from Fortress in that regard.
I'll need to give it more time, but as of right now I'd say they have done it again, another fantastic record from these guys. I don't know if it will ever dethrone my top 2 AB records (BB and Fortress, which switch places depending on the day). But I can definitely say I like this and see myself coming back to this record more than ABIII and probably even ODR.
That all being said, I checked out the AB forums today and oh man....I couldn't believe how negative the majority of the posters were regarding this album. The level of ODR elitism over there is enough to convince me to never be more than a lurker.
I love the direction the band's heading in; they just need to be willing to disappoint some of their older fans and be completely honest with themselves at this point.
My early favorite tracks:I think I can go ahead and call this the big 5 of this album, definitely my top picks from the album on first listen as well and I feel like I've seen quite a few others with similar feelings.
The Other Side - it was the standout single for me before the album was released. Great song, works well in the context of the album.
Cradle to the Grace - loved this one, killer lyrics and melody.
This Side of Fate - AB stretching their wings and mixing up song structures is always a good thing in my book.
Island of Fools - my jaw literally dropped, so heavy, so good.
The Last Hero - fantastic effort with the title track, lots of amazing moments to continue to unpack with this one.
Thanks! While I love the album, I gotta have to agree with a lot of the complaints on how Elvis mixed this record...
I don't know if I even want to give this more than one listen, because this sounds incredibly stock and unmemorable, at least up to Crows on a Wire where I'm at now (well, save for Show Me a Leader). Even if I'm in for a good finish to the album it won't be enough to save the whole. The Last Hero seems like a far cry from the not-so-sparse highlights of Fortress.
Just finished my first full listen. The first half is stronger for now but the second half is loaded with the more complex songs that tend to grow with more listens. Only song not grabbing me is Twilight.
Just finished my first full listen. The first half is stronger for now but the second half is loaded with the more complex songs that tend to grow with more listens. Only song not grabbing me is Twilight.
I'm really liking this album. I don't think it will top Fortress but it's quite killer indeed.
I really like the moments the band stretches themselves in new ways on this record. The bridge section of This Side Of Fate comes to mind. The mood of The Other Side. Even the title track has some unique characteristics that I haven't heard from the band before. They did this while still providing some good, straight up rockers like Crows On A Wire, The Writing on the Wall and the amazing Island of Fools.
One of my favs that I don't see mentioned that much is Writing On the Wall. AB by numbers but brilliantly done. And Mark's solo is immense on this one.
One of my favs that I don't see mentioned that much is Writing On the Wall. AB by numbers but brilliantly done. And Mark's solo is immense on this one.
Great call wolf. Writing On the Wall is growing on me, quickly becoming a favorite. Great riffs throughout, awesome chorus melody, great groove. Its a great example of AB using the "AB formula" and producing excellent results.
The solo on Writing On the Wall is actually Myles.I bought the album at google play and I don't have the liner notes. Who made each solo is there? Thanks!
Speaking of which, his solos are gems on this record, his playing is sick.
The solo on Writing On the Wall is actually Myles.I bought the album at google play and I don't have the liner notes. Who made each solo is there? Thanks!
Speaking of which, his solos are gems on this record, his playing is sick.
The solo on Writing On the Wall is actually Myles.
Speaking of which, his solos are gems on this record, his playing is sick.
Myles' solos are a highlight for me too on this album. They were great on Fortress too, but now there are some more and also in a few different styles. Very musical player, I dig his feel.
Myles' solos are a highlight for me too on this album. They were great on Fortress too, but now there are some more and also in a few different styles. Very musical player, I dig his feel.
Yup, I agree. He took a different approach for this record with his solos. He composed them ahead of time before laying them down in the studio. Previously he had improvised a lot of his solos in the studio on the spot. I saw an interview where he discussed being able to come up with some more detailed, technical stuff in certain spots since he pre-planned everything ahead of time.
I'm a new AB fan and anybody here knows what happened to the Live DVD/Blu-Ray/CD release of "Alter Bridge: Live In Milan" ( I guess it would be from Fortress tour). Thanks!
Official trailer of it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzEGbuwLnDY
Sad to know... Let's hope this tour AB makes a DVD with a lot of Fortress songs to compensate it. Thanks again!I'm a new AB fan and anybody here knows what happened to the Live DVD/Blu-Ray/CD release of "Alter Bridge: Live In Milan" ( I guess it would be from Fortress tour). Thanks!
Official trailer of it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzEGbuwLnDY
Well, this is a little complicated to talk about. I think during an interview Mark stated that that whole process was all one big convoluted mess. Long story short, it seemed that the band was not too happy about the quality of how the final product turned out and they had a falling out with the production company that did the DVD (DC3, who had done the previous two live AB concert release), especially over a box set that did not deliver on time or was of a poor quality.
I'm still bummed out that the trailer was released and the video stated it was going to out in late June 2014 and nothing happened. All I can say is that who knows if the footage would make the light of day eventually.
The more I listen to this, the more I'm starting to think it could top Fortress.
No yet . I'm more familiar with Fortress and now with TLH , so I was looking for a more recent tour. But I'll check Live in Amsterdam, just to see them live. Thanks for the recomendation!
Rankings:Probably this for me, though 1 and 2 are interchangeable.
1. Fortress
2. Blackbird
3. The Last Hero
4. ABIII
5. One Day Remains
Am I the only one who doesn't have a problem with the mixing/mastering?
Am I the only one who doesn't have a problem with the mixing/mastering?
Am I the only one who doesn't have a problem with the mixing/mastering?
Am I the only one who doesn't have a problem with the mixing/mastering?
I don't really have a problem either. The only thing is I wish the heavy fucking riffs were a little more clearer at times.
That stated, I did mention this at the AB Nation Forums, and I might as well mention it here. If AB does make a 6th album, and they do somehow managed to not have Elvis as the producer, the same album problems people may have with The Last Hero will occur in AB VI. I'm calling it.
I think for AB6, they need to get in the studio and record One Day Remains 2.0, or Another Day Remains, and re-record the songs with new arrangements based around the current formula of the band. Clearly, I love ODR. Myles' voice and Mark's tone were phenomenal. But, what would those songs sound like with the full power of Alter Bridge behind it, being the song writing and instrumental talent?
I guess I'm just one of those outdated old 32 yr olds that are stuck on ODR :mehlin And no offense to anyone, but I literally cringe when I see AB3 ahead of ODR on these lists. I know it's an opinion, but come on... AB3 is the most disappointing thing they've done, outside of a couple DVDs, not all of which was their fault.Yeah, I don't literally cringe when I see it but AB3 is the only AB record that I never really got into. Only a handful of songs I enjoy listening to, overall I find it pretty dull. Slip to the Void is fantastic though, one of their best songs.
I think for AB6, they need to get in the studio and record One Day Remains 2.0, or Another Day Remains, and re-record the songs with new arrangements based around the current formula of the band. Clearly, I love ODR. Myles' voice and Mark's tone were phenomenal. But, what would those songs sound like with the full power of Alter Bridge behind it, being the song writing and instrumental talent?
I would personally be pretty upset if they came out with ODR 2.0 for their next record. They've created an incredible and unique sound across their last two albums, where a return to those roots would be a major step back IMO.
It's a strange criticism of .....I guess critics....to say that it's because AB is being so radically diverse, when my main complaint is that they're being so immensely samey these days. I heard almost nothing on the new album that couldn't have either been on a previous AB album or a Tremonti album. I wish they'd BE more diverse and stretch out their sound, but they seem to just not have any desire. Which is cool, their prerogative and people seem to love it no matter what, but it's a bit less fun for me. Not that my opinion is terribly important.I agree. They take small steps forward in changing their sound on each album. But they are small.
....or is it?
No, it's not.
It's a strange criticism of .....I guess critics....to say that it's because AB is being so radically diverse, when my main complaint is that they're being so immensely samey these days. I heard almost nothing on the new album that couldn't have either been on a previous AB album or a Tremonti album. I wish they'd BE more diverse and stretch out their sound, but they seem to just not have any desire. Which is cool, their prerogative and people seem to love it no matter what, but it's a bit less fun for me. Not that my opinion is terribly important.
It's a strange criticism of .....I guess critics....to say that it's because AB is being so radically diverse, when my main complaint is that they're being so immensely samey these days. I heard almost nothing on the new album that couldn't have either been on a previous AB album or a Tremonti album. I wish they'd BE more diverse and stretch out their sound, but they seem to just not have any desire. Which is cool, their prerogative and people seem to love it no matter what, but it's a bit less fun for me. Not that my opinion is terribly important.
....or is it?
No, it's not.
Yeah.....Cradle To The Grave is a top 5 AB song for me. Flawless song.
Yeah.....Cradle To The Grave is a top 5 AB song for me. Flawless song.
Agreed. Also, Losing Patience has to be one of the catchiest melodies in an AB song. Been stuck in my head for days.
Island of Fools fast becoming my favourite. :metal
I'm a little surprised the clear favorite isn't "This Side of Fate".
That song is the best songwriting the band has ever done. Yes, above Blackbird from a songwriting standpoint (still think Blackbird is their best song, though).
I'm a little surprised the clear favorite isn't "This Side of Fate".
That song is the best songwriting the band has ever done. Yes, above Blackbird from a songwriting standpoint (still think Blackbird is their best song, though).
Writings On The Wall may have my favorite chorus on the record
Writings On The Wall may have my favorite chorus on the record
It's bloody brilliant.
Symphony Of Agony
Symphony Of Agony
Shit, I need to hear this.
Damn, not on youtube.
Symphony Of Agony
Shit, I need to hear this.
Damn, not on youtube.
It's the same song as "Last of Our Kind", if that helps.
Yeah, didn't mean to mislead anyone with that title :lol. According to this (https://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/myles-kennedy-and-mark-tremonti-talk-alter-bridges-the-last-hero-track-by-track-642777) track by track interview (which also contains the comments I was talking about) the song title was meant to be changed to Symphony Of Agony, but got put on the album under the working title. So the band want it to be known as Symphony Of Agony, but the CD has it as Last Of Our Kind so that's what most people will know it as, so I figure I'll use Last Of Our Kind / Symphony Of Agony.
I forget if it was ABIII or Fortress where the first batchful of CDs misspelled Myles with "Miles"
Just had a listen, it's alright, but can see why it's the bonus track.
^^ It's actually somewhere on Youtube. Another fine track. Is pretty positive sounding compared to the darker/moodier tones of Fortress, but is more upbeat and not a ballad like All Ends Well. Maybe a predecessor to My Champion in terms of lyrics?
I can with confidence say that The Last Hero has moved past Fortress as my favorite AB album. I didn't think it would be possible but this album gets better with each listen. The melodies are just amazing on every song which is what gives it the edge over Fortress. Also, as much as I love Fortress, it being so heavy throughout while The Last Hero is more varied helps push it to the top. The Last Hero has the heavy edge of Fortress with the melodies of ODR. Perfect combination. Album of the year so far and it's going to be really hard to beat.
Kev, I know you are a pretty active poster in this thread and on the AB forums, but I don't know if I've seen your thoughts on TLH (apologies if you posted them and I missed them). How are you feeling about the new record?
Well, finished listening to the album. Felt fast as well despite its long length. For me, there are no bad Alter Bridge albums. Just albums that has various degrees of greatness and pretty much albums that I would easily state as the undisputed favorite album of the year. For The Last Hero, that is no exception.
I understand the fair criticisms (the loudness, the multiple Myles vocal layerings, them going for a heavier direction, etc.) that these fair people in these boards has. Yet despite these gripes, I enjoy the album. It felt like they had more of a sense of urgency in these songs and they should have that, given the theme of the album. I will echo that Cradle to the Grave was an immediate first favorite of the album, straight away. Twilight, surprisingly to me, was another favorite. I thought Twilight would be a sappy ballad like All Ends Well (I do like me some sappy ballads like All Ends Well though), but it had the vibe of Make it Right, but more enjoyable to hear. The only gripe was that it ended so sudden. One of the many great qualities of AB (and there are a lot) was that they end their songs strong without any suspense, but Twilight did not have that which just frustrates me, since it was such a strong song to me.
I like how with The Last Hero song, they went straight away with the verses, no great/epic instrumental intro. Just "Can you hear the marching, beating of the drums?......." and I say they once again delivered another solid title track song and another great closing album song. The Last of Our Kind was really good, filling that one AB bonus track song that somehow is more enjoyable than some of the songs in the album. Breathe is all right, I guess. A bit on the short end though, but that's fine.
In the end, I think AB knew their strengths, musically, and filled out what I expected them to do. I don't think I had that feeling where I was like "They didn't do this in a song. Why??" I guess some production parts could have been tidied up better and maybe they could have not gone too crazy with the multiple Myles vocals, but aside from that, this was just another top-caliber album from AB. I won't bother with the rating and stuff. I just know I'm probably not going to hear another album, this year, that's as enjoyable to me as The Last Hero.
Favorites: Cradle to the Grave, This Side of Fate, Twilight, Island of Fools, and The Last Hero.
Gotcha, sorry about that, didn't think it was exclusive.
Good write up on it overall. I totally agree that I hope they play a lot of this material live. In a perfect world I'd love to see 5, 6, maybe even 7 of these songs played live but there's no way AB will do that. I'm guessing they play 4 songs from this record live and everything else will be the usual. I hope they prove me wrong.
Well that's because they insist on playing over half the Blackbird album every show in favor of the new stuff, which needs to change!
Good news, people that reads this thread and is from Australia. AB has got themselves booked into some sideshows. The other act playing is not Steel Panther, thankfully. It's Living Colour.
https://themusic.com.au/news/all/2014/01/17/alter-bridge-and-living-colour-lock-in-two-sidewaves/
Am I the only one who doesn't have a problem with the mixing/mastering?
I decided to quote this for a reason. Good news, people that reads this thread and is from Australia. They got some more headlining shows (more than 2, the count is 4 in Australia and 1 in New Zealand) in the land down under in April 2017.
(https://mjrpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Alterbridge-FB-all-dates_web.jpg)
https://mjrpresents.com/alterbridge/
Listened to it again. Much better than I previously thought, but still a few criticisms.
1) The production really hurts the heavy sections. It's just really hard to tell what's going on beyond "HEAVY NOISE".
2) The vocals are way to layered. Too many layers of Myles and he sounds thin and whiny. On the songs where he mainly sticks to 1-2 layers, he's much better and bigger sounding.
3) Still not really diverse. All the choruses are typical AB choruses, and all of the heavy parts could have easily been on a Tremonti album. I just wish they'd really try something new beyond just heavier and darker.
Still, most of the songs are much better than I thought. Well composed mostly, for what it is, and great performances by everyone, especially Scott who is really bringing it recently.
US dates are up. No Florida :tdwn
20 shows so far. They could make another round back during the period of the US Festivals (Rock on the Range, Carolina Rebellion, Welcome to Rockville, etc.).
1/21 — Mobile, Ala. — Saenger Theatre
1/22 — Atlanta, Ga. — Tabernacle
1/24 — Royal Oak, Mich. — Royal Oak Music Theatre
1/25 — Chicago, Ill. — Riviera Theatre
1/27 — Sioux City, Iowa — Anthem at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
1/28 — North Kansas City, Mo. — Voodoo Lounge at Harrah’s Casino
1/31 — Niagara Falls, N.Y. — Rapids Theatre
2/1 — Toronto, Ontario — Phoenix Concert Theatre
2/3 — Montreal, Quebec — Metropolis
2/4 — Philadelphia, Pa. — Electric Factory
2/7 — Boston, Mass. — House of Blues
2/9 — New York, N.Y. — PlayStation Theater
2/10 — Silver Spring, Md. — Fillmore
2/12 — Raleigh, N.C. — The Ritz
2/14 — Houston, Texas — House of Blues
2/16 — Las Vegas, Nev. — Brooklyn Bowl
2/18 — Tempe, Ariz. — Marquee
2/19 — Los Angeles, Calif. — Wiltern
2/20 — San Francisco, Calif. — Regency Ballroom
2/22 — Seattle, Wash. — Moore Theatre
https://loudwire.com/alter-bridge-north-american-headline-tour-2017/?trackback=tsmclip
I will be there during The Wiltern show in LA.
^^ Closest show to you is probably Philadelphia. Drive too long for you?
US dates are up. No Florida :tdwn
Hmmm, Sioux City is tempting. I just saw them a month ago so I'm curious to see how different the setlist would be. I'm guessing they'd throw in a lot more new songs.
Blabbermouth presale code for today and tomorrow
BBMAB2017
So they starting touring in support of TLH and it's been better than I thought!
Last show, they played 7 (out of a total of 20 songs in the set) songs from TLH! That's fantastic given this band's history to not play that much new material live since really the BB days. Good stuff!
Definitely! Though I wish it weren't You Will Be Remembered, My Champion, Poison In Your Veins, and Show Me A Leader...Give me Island of Fools or This Side of Fate or Cradle To The Grave or The Last Hero!
Happy to see The Other Side, The Writing on the Wall, and Crows on a Wire though. Super pumped to see them in February.
One Day Remains never really hooked me, but Blackbird made me a legitimate fan.
One Day Remains never really hooked me, but Blackbird made me a legitimate fan.
I can see that. One Day Remains was like a perfect crossover album between the two bands.
Funny thing... I only got into Alter Bridge a few years back (in between ABIII and Fortress) and had absolutely NO clue that they were basically Creed reformed. Never thought I would EVER in my life buy a Creed album, but my love for AB eventually got me to working backwards into an appreciation of their former band. Lol Creed was pretty dang good!
Was a Creed fan the moment i heard my own prison. Same with alter bridge and open your eyes. Good songs by both bands. Creed got a bad rap because of scott's ego and issues. But they were always powerful.
Alter Bridge, particularly through Fortress, to me, are the closest thing to classic Queensryche ive heard. Really love how tremonti and kennedy compliment one another, both guitar wise and vocally. I like the last hero, but it suffers from extreme red lining, and the songs dont hook me, for the most part, as past records have. I think they need to dial up a bit more warmth and space on their next one.
Was a Creed fan the moment i heard my own prison. Same with alter bridge and open your eyes. Good songs by both bands. Creed got a bad rap because of scott's ego and issues. But they were always powerful.
Alter Bridge, particularly through Fortress, to me, are the closest thing to classic Queensryche ive heard. Really love how tremonti and kennedy compliment one another, both guitar wise and vocally. I like the last hero, but it suffers from extreme red lining, and the songs dont hook me, for the most part, as past records have. I think they need to dial up a bit more warmth and space on their next one.
I've discussed this here before, but it's certainly worth mentioning again, AB could use a new producer for their next record. While I don't rank TLH as their worst (it actually ranks above ODR and ABIII for me) I think with a different producer pushing the record in a different direction sonically, I would have enjoyed the record more.
It's interesting as creatively, I think Alter Bridge is at their best with TLH. The solos from Myles are incredible, the bridges are by far the best they've had (Title track, TSoF, CttG, IoF, etc.), and the general feel of the album is exactly to my taste.
Production wise, I'm completely with you though. The drums are either 0 or 10 with no subtlety, the guitars are lost in the mix, and Myles' voice doesn't have the space it needs. The whole things sounds like it was shoved into a small box for maximum loudness. It's terrible and there is no room for anything to breathe on its own.
Give me a new producer, keep the same artistic vision in my book.
Basekick,
Totally with you. The songs on tlh are complex and really interesting for sure. But as we've mentioned, yeah, the production hurts the record for sure.
I also dig symphony of agony (last of our kind) a lot. It bewilders me why they left that off the album proper, and included what to me are some filler material, such as twilight and losing patience.
They have yet to play Losing Patience.
-Fortress
Bleed It Dry
Fortress
Cry of Achilles
Farther Than The Sun
Calm The Fire
-The Last Hero
Island of Fools
The Last Hero
The Other Side
Cradle To The Grave
TOP 5 FAVORITE
1 Bleed It Dry
2 Island of Fools
3 The End Is Here
4 Coeur d'Alene
5 One Day Remains
TOP 5 BEST (IMO)
1 Bleed It Dry
2 Island of Fools
3 Fortress
4 Blackbird
5 The Last Hero
Also, two more things:
Has anyone messed with the EQ on The Last Hero to see if they can make the mix a little less abrasive, even if it's in the smallest of ways?
I HATE that AB now comes to Jacksonville every year for the god damn Welcome to Rockville show. I've seen AB in Jax ONCE, in 2005, at a shitty smaller festival and the crowd sucked and Mark almost got hit with a full water bottle, and then I almost got in a fight with that guy. Fucking trash! I had the immediate realization and understanding that AB might never come back to Jax, and maybe they shouldn't. But, now they're in Jax every year, and the only way for me to see them is to shell out a bunch of money to see a bunch of bands I have no interest in (Coheed is awesome, but they're not playing a Neverender show :tdwn), and then see AB in a crowd of sweaty dirty drunk assholes in Florida in late April.
fun fact: When going to see them in 2005, me and my friends got in the car in my driveway and turned on the radio to the station that was sponsoring the festival. The guy said, "Alter Bridge is up next!" Google maps says 19.9 miles/28 mins from my house to the fairgrounds. We did driveway to parked in 12 mins. :hat
I'm not sure why AB doesn't prioritize AB. I'm glad Slash has reunited with Guns, hopefully this means Myles will prioritize AB a bit more. I know they both (Mark and Myles) have other projects, but I'm really sort of frustrated with them. I don't think asking for a really proper U.S. tour, playing 60 or 70 dates across the country in various places is a lot to ask. Other bands do it all the time...
I'm not sure why AB doesn't prioritize AB. I'm glad Slash has reunited with Guns, hopefully this means Myles will prioritize AB a bit more. I know they both (Mark and Myles) have other projects, but I'm really sort of frustrated with them. I don't think asking for a really proper U.S. tour, playing 60 or 70 dates across the country in various places is a lot to ask. Other bands do it all the time...
I'm not sure why AB doesn't prioritize AB. I'm glad Slash has reunited with Guns, hopefully this means Myles will prioritize AB a bit more. I know they both (Mark and Myles) have other projects, but I'm really sort of frustrated with them. I don't think asking for a really proper U.S. tour, playing 60 or 70 dates across the country in various places is a lot to ask. Other bands do it all the time...
It may be a lot to ask for honestly. It comes down to demand, and AB isn't really that kind of band that is "casually" popular, and I don't think AB is in that spot, financially, to be willing to play in front of half-filled venues in obscured areas like DT was doing with The Astonishing.
I do admit though they haven't toured much in the states. During the Fortress tour, they played 24 headlining shows in the states. In 2016-now, with regards to promoting The Last Hero, they have matched that or going to match that and there still the last half of 2017 to fill with more shows. I'm not too concerned though. I live about 30 minutes from LA, so I know they are going to come to these parts every three years or so and the areas surrounding it (Vegas, Anaheim perhaps, maybe San Diego region).
I'm not sure why AB doesn't prioritize AB. I'm glad Slash has reunited with Guns, hopefully this means Myles will prioritize AB a bit more. I know they both (Mark and Myles) have other projects, but I'm really sort of frustrated with them. I don't think asking for a really proper U.S. tour, playing 60 or 70 dates across the country in various places is a lot to ask. Other bands do it all the time...
It may be a lot to ask for honestly. It comes down to demand, and AB isn't really that kind of band that is "casually" popular, and I don't think AB is in that spot, financially, to be willing to play in front of half-filled venues in obscured areas like DT was doing with The Astonishing.
I do admit though they haven't toured much in the states. During the Fortress tour, they played 24 headlining shows in the states. In 2016-now, with regards to promoting The Last Hero, they have matched that or going to match that and there still the last half of 2017 to fill with more shows. I'm not too concerned though. I live about 30 minutes from LA, so I know they are going to come to these parts every three years or so and the areas surrounding it (Vegas, Anaheim perhaps, maybe San Diego region).
Bro, with all due respect, that's a backwards way of thinking about things. Basically, "we aren't that big in the states, so let's not tour a ton there...". Here's a crazy thought, flip that mentality around (and it's a well documented mentality, the band has talked about how they haven't "caught on" as much in the states as other places) and say, "you know what? we haven't caught on as much in the states, there's a lot of untapped market potential there, let's try to invest time as a band and organization into tapping into that market in a more deliberate manner and growing our base there".
And I'm not saying I want them to play half-empty venues, for one example, my town, Pittsburgh has numerous venues that AB could easily sellout (or come close to selling out). But they don't invest the time to do more expansive tours. They book a tour that hits the big markets (LA, NY, etc...) and some random small markets and then they are out. Done. US fans don't see these dudes again for 3-4 years. That's why they aren't growing here. They gotta wrap that US tour up quick to get back to Slash, Tremonti, Projected, and God knows what else.
I hope GnR stays together just so Myles has one less thing on his plate.
I honestly cannot understand how AB is bigger in Europe than the States. The music is American through and through.
And going back to the Creed connection, I'm pretty sure that most here on DTF would agree that AB is the better band over Creed. And yet, what is it about Creed that got them to selling HUGE platinum level albums and selling out arenas versus the AB situation of struggling to just make a dent in the US market? I mean, is Scott Stapp that much better than Myles? :facepalm: :justjen
I honestly cannot understand how AB is bigger in Europe than the States. The music is American through and through.
And going back to the Creed connection, I'm pretty sure that most here on DTF would agree that AB is the better band over Creed. And yet, what is it about Creed that got them to selling HUGE plitinum level albums and selling out arenas versus the AB situation of struggling to just make a dent in the US market? I mean, is Scott Stapp that much better than Myles? :facepalm: :justjen
I think it's the matter of the timing. Creed was that sort of music that casual rock fans really like in the late 90s. They along with...... Nickelback was the big two big bands people will think of when they think of the genre, "post-grunge." Honestly, if a band like Creed started now in 2017, I don't think they would get far. Probably get called a Nickelback rip-off, Pearl Jam rip-off, or something of the sort.
On the flip side, I always wondered how AB could have been if they started around the mid-late 90s. I'm sure, with regards to the album sales since there would be no digital piracy at the time, AB's sales could have multiplied by at least 3x than their overall sales now (which I will say is around the 2 million range worldwide, right now, and that may be exaggerating). For all we know, they could have been seen of a great successor to bands like Alice in Chains and Soundgarden. It's just the sense of bad timing and modern casual US rock fans not clicking to a band like AB as much as bands like A7X, Breaking Benjamin, Disturbed, etc (and I got no problem with those bands' success. I like those bands a good amount. I just wish I can comfortably say that AB can get to a status like those bands, but it's so hard nowadays to get there.)
I guess Alter Bridge really is way more popular in EU then.
On November 24th 2016 we played our largest headline gig to date - The O2 Arena in London. It was an amazing night and we wanted to share this evening with you.
We have teamed up with our friends at Napalm Records to bring you not only this show but a full-length "Rarities" album, full of all of our deepest cuts and a few never before released songs!
Alter Bridge: Live at the O2 Arena + Rarities out 9/8/17
PRE ORDER:
https://smarturl.it/LiveAtTheO2Arena
Alter Bridge: Live at the O2 Arena + Rarities:
CD1
1. The Writing On The Wall
2. Come To Life
3. Addicted Pain
4. Ghost Of Days Gone By
5. Cry Of Achilles
6. The Other Side
7. Farther Than The Sun
8. Ties That Blind
9. Water Rising
10. Crows On A Wire
11. Watch Over You (Solo Acoustic)
CD2
12. Isolation
13. Blackbird
14. Metalingus
15. Open Your Eyes
16. Show Me A Leader
17. Rise Today
18. Poison In You Veins
19. My Champion
"B-Sides and Rarities" - CD3
20. Breathe
21. Cruel Sun
22. Solace
23. New Way To Live
24. The Damage Done
25. We Don’t Care At All
26. Zero
27. Home
28. Never Born To Follow
29. Never Say Die (Outright)
30. Symphony Of Agony (The Last Of Our Kind)
DVD
The ALTER BRIDGE documentary with plenty of interviews with the band and their crew, is giving you an amazing glimpse behind the scenes of this legendary show at London's O2 Arena!/quote]
I hear rumors going around that they are embarking on something big when it comes to the DVD front during The Last Hero album cycle and I hope it is true, because I like the idea of it and hope execution and planning works out for them.
Still, a live album featuring songs from The Last Hero and Fortress is good (especially, when the Milan DVD did not pan out at all), plus all of the bonus songs album makes it better. That fact that it is from AB makes it an easy buy as well.
Just pre-ordered the book version of it. Should be cool. I have most of those B-Sides already (I don't have Cruel Sun or Solace, but I have the rest). Interesting that they didn't release some of the other tunes like Save Me. But regardless, i dropped the money on it.
I never saw the tour (it was mid-week and a couple hour drive both ways), and was the first time I missed them, so I was bummed. So this makes up for it a bit.
Is the box a big box like 12in x 12in or is it a smaller size? Not sure what to get: the box or the earbook.
I hear ya. I think the book looks to be hardbound, with some pictures and extras like that in it. Probably just better overall quality, as the other set looks to be just like a slipcase...
https://www.facebook.com/alterbridge/posts/10154943576263558:0I hear rumors going around that they are embarking on something big when it comes to the DVD front during The Last Hero album cycle and I hope it is true, because I like the idea of it and hope execution and planning works out for them.
Still, a live album featuring songs from The Last Hero and Fortress is good (especially, when the Milan DVD did not pan out at all), plus all of the bonus songs album makes it better. That fact that it is from AB makes it an easy buy as well.
Yeah didn't Mark say they were going to do a live DVD concert at Royal Albert with an orchestra or something like that? Sounded pretty interesting but I haven't heard much else about it.
https://www.facebook.com/alterbridge/posts/10154943576263558:0I hear rumors going around that they are embarking on something big when it comes to the DVD front during The Last Hero album cycle and I hope it is true, because I like the idea of it and hope execution and planning works out for them.
Still, a live album featuring songs from The Last Hero and Fortress is good (especially, when the Milan DVD did not pan out at all), plus all of the bonus songs album makes it better. That fact that it is from AB makes it an easy buy as well.
Yeah didn't Mark say they were going to do a live DVD concert at Royal Albert with an orchestra or something like that? Sounded pretty interesting but I haven't heard much else about it.
Should be amazing. Hopefully Myles is on that night and they have a great Blu-ray release too.
He has been good overall for TLH tour cycle. His range has been there and his diction has been clear.
From what I heard, yeah, I agree. I saw one of the last shows on the Fortress tour and Myles was the best I had ever heard him live, personally. Much better than the gigs I saw on the Blackbird and III tours. Sadly, I missed TLH tour (my wife went, however), but I'm hoping that they finally capture Myles in a live release when he's really ON. I wasn't all that impressed with Live from Wembley. Amsterdam was a little better, but his voice on those two live albums is a lot thinner than I remembered.
I know some of us have been around since day 1, and then a lot of new fans with each album. For those of you that didn't get to see Myles in the ODR days, you really missed out. Myles with no guitar, just soaring vocals! And that was way before the Slash days where he polished his front man skills. Pure, unfiltered, no rock star showmanship (which I have no problem with). Just a talent that steals the show.
God damn I fucking love these guys!
I know some of us have been around since day 1, and then a lot of new fans with each album. For those of you that didn't get to see Myles in the ODR days, you really missed out. Myles with no guitar, just soaring vocals! And that was way before the Slash days where he polished his front man skills. Pure, unfiltered, no rock star showmanship (which I have no problem with). Just a talent that steals the show.
God damn I fucking love these guys!
Alter Bridge is my favorite current band, but I have to admit, while I like TLH, I believe Fortress to be the superior album overall.
Some interesting information by Mark:
https://www.fortitudemagazine.co.uk/music/interview-mark-tremonti-alter-bridge/30320/
Maybe it's a bit obvious, but it is really cool that Mark is thinking in terms of a different setlist for this show, more suitable for a orchestra to perform it. It would be very interesting if this setlist be complementary in a good part to the Live at O2.
Maybe it's a bit obvious, but it is really cool that Mark is thinking in terms of a different setlist for this show, more suitable for a orchestra to perform it. It would be very interesting if this setlist be complementary in a good part to the Live at O2.
It's going to be better. From what I hear, it's going to be a separate DVD, as oppose to the O2 Arena show being a live CD album. Though, I hear it's going to take a while until it comes out after the show is done. At least a year after the show is done.
^ Wow, that's cool, they have only played Show Me A Sign a couple times live (according to setlist fm exactly twice), that's awesome you got to see it!
^ Wow, that's cool, they have only played Show Me A Sign a couple times live (according to setlist fm exactly twice), that's awesome you got to see it!
Yep, San Francisco. Back then, they were selling the live recordings, so I bought it. SMaS is one of my favorite AB tunes, so I was really pumped they did it. I saw them twice on that tour. In Seattle, and and in San Francisco. It's still bumming me out I didn't see them on TLH tour, but my wife got that one (which is only fair, because I saw them in Spokane on the Blackbird tour, and she never got to see that tour - ha ha ha).
^ Wow, that's cool, they have only played Show Me A Sign a couple times live (according to setlist fm exactly twice), that's awesome you got to see it!
Yep, San Francisco. Back then, they were selling the live recordings, so I bought it. SMaS is one of my favorite AB tunes, so I was really pumped they did it. I saw them twice on that tour. In Seattle, and and in San Francisco. It's still bumming me out I didn't see them on TLH tour, but my wife got that one (which is only fair, because I saw them in Spokane on the Blackbird tour, and she never got to see that tour - ha ha ha).
Yeah I remember when they were doing the soundboard records from shows on the USB drives for the ABIII tour. I got one as well. If I remember correctly, the flashdrive was a little guitar or something. Audio quality from the board wasn't great, but definitely a cool show memento.
Yep, but I got screwed. I never got the guitar. They ended up not having enough guitars, so we all got regular USB thumb drives. It was pretty lame. But having the gig, quality aside, was cool.
About time they make a video for Cradle. Best song on the album IMO
It's definitely in my top 5 on the album which hasn't changed since the record first came out. In no particular order:
The Other Side
Cradle to the Grave
This Side of Fate
Island of Fools
The Last Hero
All incredible songs.
Funny, not in order, my top 5 are:
Show Me a Leader
My Champion
Cradle to the Grave
Island of Fools
Symphony of Agony (this track should have been on the main track list)
Great set, but they still haven't played Cradle to the Grave??
Bump and double post I guess...I really wanted to go to that show. Just couldn't get off work in time to make the drive to Columbus. Well, I probably could've made it, but I would've been stuck in the very back behind a bunch of people that are no doubt taller than me.
I saw Alter Bridge last night in Columbus, OH at a venue called the Newport Music Hall (I've seen DT there before). Really, really great show. The band sounded absolutely killer and the crowd was super into it.
Here was the set, it was a good mix of staples, they didn't play anything too adventurous like TLH or This Side of Fate, but it was still fantastic -
The Writing on the Wall
Come to Life
Farther Than the Sun
Addicted to Pain
White Knuckles
Ghosts of Days Gone By
Cry of Achilles
My Champion
Ties That Bind
Crows on a Wire
Waters Rising
Watch Over You (Myles solo acoustic)
Isolation
Blackbird
Open Your Eyes
Metalingus
Encore:
Show Me a Leader
(Dueling Guitar Solos)
Rise Today
I really wanted to go to that show. Just couldn't get off work in time to make the drive to Columbus. Well, I probably could've made it, but I would've been stuck in the very back behind a bunch of people that are no doubt taller than me.
This is sort of Alter Bridge related, but Mark, Flip, and Brian dropped "My Own Prison" with Creed 20 years ago today. There's some solid stuff on that record, like Torn, Pity For A Dime, the title track, What's This Life For, and Ode which is one of my top ten favorite Tremonti riffs. A super raw sounding album that they only recorded for 5 grand. Tremonti had long hair back then too :lolYou named all my favourites of the album
(https://www.marktremonti.net/images/site/bio/bio03.jpg)
This performance of Torn is one of my all time favorite live videos from them, next to their Woodstock 99 show. Great atmosphere, awesome crowd, and solid vocal performance from Stapp.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnP6U2nyVvc
I'll never understand the flack Creed got. Their first two albums were solid gold.
I'll never understand the flack Creed got. Their first two albums were solid gold.
People are just idiots that loves to get on the hate of something for whatever stupid reason. Same reason why they hate Nickelback. Same reason why they hate Linkin Park (now they don't hate them as much since Chester's passing). They made some songs that were very good sounding and catchy that became a very huge hit and got overplayed and people started hating them and making them meme jokes against them.
I will say this, people hating Creed for what Stapp did at that Chicago show, that's pretty reasonable. It probably hurt Mark as well since Chicago shows are always big shows to him (in any band whether it is AB, Creed, or Tremonti) since his two brothers and father lives there and he's got family there.
Would I want Creed to reunite in the future? Honestly, personally no. I love what Mark's doing with AB and Tremonti and he certainly loves it as well (even if those bands doesn't bring as much financial security for him like Creed could). I probably wouldn't get too hyped for Creed as much as AB or Tremonti.
Anywho, back to AB news. Well, the live album comes out in 11 days. Also, AB announced a show in Biloxi, Mississippi on December 1st. Another US leg has to loom near and I hope it's long enough to close out this album cycle of The Last Hero.
As someone who liked creed but is out of the loop, what happened it Chicago?
Oh cool they're playing that song where they strum chords in a 4/4 groove for the chorus!
Oh cool they're playing that song where they strum chords in a 4/4 groove for the chorus!
:lol Enter Adami's issue with Mark Tremonti.
As for the set - it looks like Slip is first, but I have no clue on much else really. I'm guessing it'll be staples with a couple treats thrown in like The End is Here, Fortress, TLH, maybe a couple more vibey songs like Burn It Down, etc... Oh and Words.
Gotta give the dude credit. Despite me being super annoyed that he writes the same chorus over and over, I still own and love every Creed, Alter Bridge, and Trenonti album.
Maybe same reason I still love ac/dc.
Has anyone received the Earbook from the Alter Bridge store yet? Mine hasn't and my order hasn't been updated in a while.
PLS, LET THIS ROYAL ALBERT HALL SHOW BE RELEASED SMOOTHLY!!!!!! This could very well be AB's finest moment in their 13 year career. It would be nice if this got documented in the smoothest way possible, release-wise.
I went to see these guys last night, after getting a ticket from a friend who's a big fan. They're a fantastic live band!
I wasn't familiar with their stuff, but I'll definitely be checking it out. Any recommendations on where to start?
I went for Blackbird, as it's the cheapest on iTunes, and I'm a total stinge :)
Will give it a couple of weeks to absorb, and then I'll go for Fortress. I don't know about anyone else, but it takes me at least a week to settle into any new album.
Has anyone checked out videos from the Royal Albert Hall shows? The orchestra (and band) sounds AMAZING.
Has anyone checked out videos from the Royal Albert Hall shows? The orchestra (and band) sounds AMAZING.
Purposefully not. I am going to put that Blu-ray on when it comes out next year, and just crank the hell out of it. :metal
What a killer setlist. They did the same set (if you can trust setlist.fm) each night, so I am taking that as a sign they are going to put the entire show on there, using the best performance of each song from both nights.
Has anyone checked out videos from the Royal Albert Hall shows? The orchestra (and band) sounds AMAZING.
Purposefully not. I am going to put that Blu-ray on when it comes out next year, and just crank the hell out of it. :metal
What a killer setlist. They did the same set (if you can trust setlist.fm) each night, so I am taking that as a sign they are going to put the entire show on there, using the best performance of each song from both nights.
Probably a safe assumption, I'm pumped for this one. Here's hoping they nail the production.
Fingers crossed. TBH, I wasn't all that impressed with Live in Amsterdam or Wembley from a production standpoint. I am hoping that they really invest well in whoever edits it, and the mixing.
Got everything squared away for the fam and I to see AB on the upcoming leg. Going to be a pretty incredible time.
I went for Blackbird, as it's the cheapest on iTunes, and I'm a total stinge :)
Will give it a couple of weeks to absorb, and then I'll go for Fortress. I don't know about anyone else, but it takes me at least a week to settle into any new album.
That's a good path. Start with BB, then do Fortress. After that, I'd suggest The Last Hero and/or ABIII. I'd save One Day Remains for last, not because it's their worst (IMO, it's not) but because it was their first album and they were still finding their sound as a band. As a result, it kinda sticks out of the discography a bit.
So, I've been listening to Blackbird for the last couple of weeks. I have to say - it took me a while to get into it. At first, all the songs seemed pretty samey, but once I got used to their style, which probably took a few days of solid listening, I found it a lot more accessible.
Blackbird, the song, is just top notch. Very poignant too, when you discover what it's about.
Watch Over You is the song they did at the concert (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqdp3b7l8oo), with just Myles on acoustic guitar, that made me take a mental note to go away and find out what it was. Great ballad, plus it uses open G tuning which makes it pretty fun to try to play.
Wayward One is a strange one for me. I love the brooding verse and bridge, but the chorus sounds to me like it doesn't fit. It shifts from minor to major, and just sounds a bit weird.
Some other favourites would be Come to Life, Brand New Start, White Knuckles ("only the strong survive-ahhh" :biggrin:)
Made a start on Fortress last night. Initial impressions are very good - sounds like a natural progression from Blackbird, although I know I'm skipping an album in between.
I'd say it sounds a bit catchier that Blackbird, in terms of riffs and vocal lines. There seems to be more vocal harmonies too, which is great.
All good..
All right, not much news as of late. Uhhh, the final US tour for this album period, with All That Remains supporting, will begin next Friday to complete a great 2017 for AB.
More importantly, Myles is actually going to get a solo album out in 2018. Note, this was not the solo album that he had created on-and-off since 2009. He actually had scrapped those songs back in 2016, but still had a different theme and song ideas for the solo album, and he's finally getting one out next year.
I just want a solo acoustic tour and hit Southern California and I'm all for it, man. I know the album is going to be great, especially since it's going to be different than an AB album or a Slash album.
It’s gonna be called Year of the Tiger apparently.
It’s gonna be called Year of the Tiger apparently.
Yup, Myles confirmed the name of the record, which is a reference to the year his father passed away. Apparently, it's close to a concept record in that it tells the story of his fathers death and how the family dealt with it. He also said that the record is blues-based and he used steel guitar, banjo, etc...
Mixing and mastering done, artwork done. They are just looking when to schedule the release. I'm pumped :metal
Do we know if this is the solo material he's written and recorded since Blackbird or the stuff he just recently worked on?
It was confirmed by Myles in interviews that the solo album he will have out will not be the ones that he written since post-Blackbird, but rather something that came to him around 2016 or so. He did retain one song from his original solo album idea for this upcoming album.
Will the original solo album see the light of day for the public to hear? I don't think even Myles knows the answer to that.
I'm excited nonetheless. Especially if it's blues driven. Some of his best vocal performance isn't with the high energy, hard rock music with Alter Bridge. I still go back to those Mayfield Four records, and still get completely incapsulated with his vocals
Just saw them for the 7th time last night at HOB Orlando. What can I say? These guys never disappoint, and last night was no exception. Truly amazing show! A few highlights... Waters Rising was bad fucking ass live! Who else has the lead guitarist sing lead vocals and then have someone like Myles kick in the chorus? I almost cried during Myles solo acoustic Watch Over You, and then Mark pulled up a stool and joined in for In Loving Memory, and I sang every lyric to the song along with EVERY other person in the building (ODR has a special place in my heart). Myles truly amazing performance of the night (even though he came out as a powerhouse IMMEDIATELY) was Crows on a Wire. Oh, and they played Fortress, which makes me happy :hat.
Lost In Vegas did another Alter Bridge reaction, this time to CRY OF ACHILLES!
https://youtu.be/vAwgCQ462Qs
I’ve heard this song thousands of times, but watching them hear it for their first time got me hyped! Probably since I first heard it my first few times!
All right, guys. It's happening. The first teaser of the Royal Albert Hall shows.
Alter Bridge - Live At The Royal Albert Hall Featuring The Parallax Orchestra (OFFICIAL TEASER) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMwwi-7wRBk)
It is stated to be a September 7th 2018 release. 2 CDs plus a 1 DVD with some interviews/behind the scenes footage in between songs.
Now to hope this does not get delayed or shelved like other AB DVD releases. Probably won't since Napalm Records is involved in this and they did a smooth job with the O2 Arena live CD. I expect no difference with this one. The guys that filmed this were the guys that also filmed the O2 Arena footage shots of the Cradle to the Grave and The Other Side videos and I liked the way those look so that bodes well for this DVD.
Come on guys, 3 minute teaser and no actual song footage :lol :lol
2 CDs/1 DVD? No Blu-ray? :-[ No LPs? :-[
I am really excited for this one. I bought a promotional poster from this gig, and had the AB guys sign it in Spokane last December. It is framed, but I was waiting until the show actually came out. Now that it is, I'll put it up. Looking forward to seeing the gig and pre-ordering later this week. Fingers crossed for some good bundles or something.
Oh, there will be a blu-ray option. It's just when I typically type DVD, I'm basically mentioning that there will be video footage.
Big, big Myles fan (though I prefer him solo or with Slash than with Tremonti) but of all the nice things one can say about him and AB, "like Queensryche" would never have occurred to me.
I can listen to Myles sing a spam email and love it, but musically, too much of AB just sounds... generic to me. Like it could be any of three or four different bands with Myles singing on it. That's not QR to me.
Big, big Myles fan (though I prefer him solo or with Slash than with Tremonti) but of all the nice things one can say about him and AB, "like Queensryche" would never have occurred to me.
I can listen to Myles sing a spam email and love it, but musically, too much of AB just sounds... generic to me. Like it could be any of three or four different bands with Myles singing on it. That's not QR to me.
^^ What kind of three or four different bands are you referring to? To me, I can't think of any modern contemporaries, except maybe A7X, can create such intricate, epic stuff like Blackbird, Cry of Achilles, Brand New Start, Fortress, Calm The Fire, Cradle to the Grave, etc. and still retain creating catchy good Active Rock radio singles like Isolation and Addicted to Pain. They are far from a generic band to me in comparison to their contemporaries (Halestorm, Shinedown, Breaking Benjamin, etc.) and I have heard of lot of bands in the Active Radio format and I feel like AB shines above all of them (even if they don't get the radio love like other bands).
This band doesn't mean a lot to you, Stadler? That's fine, but this band means to me and as much I like seeing Myles solo (and he's really great at that), I prefer if Alter Bridge is active all the time, especially over Slash's solo band (which is good as well, but I feel that Myles seems a bit restricted of what he can do there compared to solo and AB). I remember a list of bands I really liked 10 years ago, and surprisingly, looking back now, there's only one band I still really like to this day and you guess it. It's this one and I'm excited for this DVD and the next journey for this band.
Stads -- go listen to "Screaming in Digital" and pay attention to the guitar solo. Then go to the AB song "Fortress," listen to the solo.
Myles is the DeGarmo/Tate, whereas Tremonti is the Wilton.
Like Queensryche, AB music has this understated complexity that balances aggression, melody, and technicality with pop sensibility (compare, for example, My Champion with Jet City Woman). And then, as Anguyen92 pointed out, AB can do epic tunes as well, a hallmark of Queensryche too. There are many similarities between them. I don't at all think Alter Bridge's music is "generic." Far from it. But tastes vary, of course.
It's been a lot of fun on the Alter Bridge ride, watching them all mature and get better. Looking forward to the future.
Relax man, everyone's got preferences, for the record I agree with you but Stadler might not and that's okay.
Yeah, respectfully I don't really see many similarities between AB and QR. I think I get what you are saying, I just don't hear it. The biggest difference to me is that Myles is not an operatic singer. He does do the high rock tenor vocal thing - but not operatic at all - Tate was.
I apologize. When people throw the generic tag to Alter Bridge, I get a little testy about that.
Huh, wow. Yeah, I actually have found more people than not agree with the AB-QR similarity. But that's the beauty of it right, we hear different things. I think rhythmically, the bands are very different. Scott provides a very Rush feel, whereas Flip is a more straight ahead drummer. But the guitar interplay and style of songs they write (both musically and lyrically, depending on the track) are very similar. Regarding Myles and Geoff, yeah, both are tenors, but whereas Geoff's operatic wails were pushed up higher in the mix, Myles' are there too, but much lower in the mix, as to not feature them (except in certain spots, like Words Darker Than Their Wings). If you listen intently to Myles backing vocals, he has a ton of notes that are operatic. You're right, he's not an operatic-style vocalist (probably due to the guitar being his instrument of choice), but he does do operatic notes throughout the AB catalog.
But depending on what you're looking for, the similarities are there. Admittedly, though, I asked both Mark and Myles at meet and greets, and both said QR was never really an influence. But they both said how a number of people had told them how similar they are to QR, and were intrigued by the comparison.
^^ What kind of three or four different bands are you referring to? To me, I can't think of any modern contemporaries, except maybe A7X, can create such intricate, epic stuff like Blackbird, Cry of Achilles, Brand New Start, Fortress, Calm The Fire, Cradle to the Grave, etc. and still retain creating catchy good Active Rock radio singles like Isolation and Addicted to Pain. They are far from a generic band to me in comparison to their contemporaries (Halestorm, Shinedown, Breaking Benjamin, etc.) and I have heard of lot of bands in the Active Radio format and I feel like AB shines above all of them (even if they don't get the radio love like other bands).
This band doesn't mean a lot to you, Stadler? That's fine, but this band means to me and as much I like seeing Myles solo (and he's really great at that), I prefer if Alter Bridge is active all the time, especially over Slash's solo band (which is good as well, but I feel that Myles seems a bit restricted of what he can do there compared to solo and AB). I remember a list of bands I really liked 10 years ago, and surprisingly, looking back now, there's only one band I still really like to this day and you guess it. It's this one and I'm excited for this DVD and the next journey for this band.
One of my biggest hopes for the next AB record is that they shake things up a little - try using someone other than Elvis to produce and mix, and change up the songwriting formula they've been using (Mark and Myles simply listen to the riffs each recorded over the last year or so, and then do the mashup thing). I think that served them well with Fortress, but not as well on The Last Hero. I love TLH (my complaint on that is more mastering than anything, as it seems hot), but the songs really could use some atmosphere, which is usually through giving them time to develop, not just pounding through writing sessions. That may introduce a little more variety and dynamics to their current sound. Like I said, I still love TLH. I think Cradle to the Grave, My Champion and Show Me a Leader are STELLAR, and among the best in the catalog. But everything else sorta blends, which means its time to let things breathe a bit, change up tempos, look at different ways to expand the sound.
Looking forward to what they come up with.
Official Trailer to the Royal Albert Hall DVD. Including the ending to Words Darker Than Their Wings.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Xx7uoFt-Tk
Official Trailer to the Royal Albert Hall DVD. Including the ending to Words Darker Than Their Wings.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Xx7uoFt-Tk
That looks really good. I might have to pick this up
Man, I’ve been listening to so much AB lately, and I’m ready for this dvd. I love the setlist, that run from Ties That Bind - Words Darker is just stellar. I’m also surprised that they omitted their 2 biggest hits, that was a bold move.
I haven’t been listening to AB at all lately, but that Words Darker performance is so freakin’ awesome. Such a beautiful song and I love the subtle orchestra arrangement. No guitar solo in this song for once (with Creed it was the other way around; a guitar solo was a rare thing back then), but this song really doesn’t need one.
Man, I’ve been listening to so much AB lately, and I’m ready for this dvd. I love the setlist, that run from Ties That Bind - Words Darker is just stellar. I’m also surprised that they omitted their 2 biggest hits, that was a bold move.
A bold, and refreshing move. I dig it.
I haven’t been listening to AB at all lately, but that Words Darker performance is so freakin’ awesome. Such a beautiful song and I love the subtle orchestra arrangement. No guitar solo in this song for once (with Creed it was the other way around; a guitar solo was a rare thing back then), but this song really doesn’t need one.
It's interesting you say that. When Creed got back together, and they brought in Eric Friedman as a touring guitarist, that allowed Tremonti to extend and improvise those solos. I watched a live performance of With Arms Wide Open from like 2009 or 2010, and Tremonti took a 6 second solo to like 30 seconds, and it was awesome.
When Alter Bridge premiered Open Your Eyes, I remembered some stations wouldn't play because of the guitar solo. For the awhile, having a tailored guitar solo was looked down upon on a radio release.
Agreed, Words Darker Than Their Wings is a song that doesn't need a solo, and I feel like AB has been pretty good at recognizing which songs should have a solo or not.
Correct me if I'm wrong but didn't Scott Stapp really look down on guitar solos?
Correct me if I'm wrong but didn't Scott Stapp really look down on guitar solos?
One more song, two weeks before the DVD is released. The End Is Here. With only one guitar in the mix, I believe the orchestra really shines in this one, moreso than the other two (but I still find Addicted to Pain and Words Darker Than Their Wings that has been released so far to be great stuff, so this really bodes well for the DVD).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7sdjPH513c
Wow, really good performance, my only issue would be with Mark's tone. When he plays songs from ODR, it is glaringly obvious he isn't using a clean sound for his clean parts anymore, he just rolls the volume back on a dirty sound.
Wow, really good performance, my only issue would be with Mark's tone. When he plays songs from ODR, it is glaringly obvious he isn't using a clean sound for his clean parts anymore, he just rolls the volume back on a dirty sound.
I noted that over the years. Do you or anyone know why that is? I actually meant to ask him that in Spokane last December, but there were so many people, it just slipped my mind. I assume its just streamlining, not having as much gear, and just going with what he has on-hand. But has he ever talked about it?
I have not listened to this performance yet obviously, but I also prefer the cleaner sound on the ODR parts.
Wow, really good performance, my only issue would be with Mark's tone. When he plays songs from ODR, it is glaringly obvious he isn't using a clean sound for his clean parts anymore, he just rolls the volume back on a dirty sound.
I noted that over the years. Do you or anyone know why that is? I actually meant to ask him that in Spokane last December, but there were so many people, it just slipped my mind. I assume its just streamlining, not having as much gear, and just going with what he has on-hand. But has he ever talked about it?
I have not listened to this performance yet obviously, but I also prefer the cleaner sound on the ODR parts.
Dude has a clean channel. Tiny bands playing in tiny pubs have clean channels. Plus he obviously has pedals since he uses a good amount of FX. So I have no idea why he's doing it.
I think if I change my expectations, I will enjoy this a lot more.
If I am expecting a great symphonic rock/metal show, then I will be disappointed.
If I am expecting a great Alter Bridge show with some minor orchestral elements in the background, I will enjoy it a lot more.
Bundle 1 (the limited one) will be here in about an hour. Nice to pre-order something and have it get here early for a change. Bundle 2 is shipped as well, assuming it will arrive tomorrow. Gonna be an AB weekend for sure!
And Adami - just expect that AB show with half the set accompanied by an orchestra to give it a different feel. Because that's what it is. AB will never be symphonic metal.
I can't wait. The format of this -- the show spliced up by documentary coverage, doesn't sound like a great way to do it, but they've done it before, and it worked, so I am sure this will too. Should be a cool experience. I have a gig poster from these shows that I had them sign in December (its framed and in my den at home). I'll take a pic and post it this weekend.
So I watched the whole thing, and my god, it is everything I hoped it to be!! Everything is spot on from the mix to the performances to the setlist. 10/10
The only thing I didn't like about it, is that they spliced all of the behind-the-scenes footage in with the concert, and there's no option to turn it off. That being said, the behind-the-scenes footage is excellent too!
So I watched the whole thing, and my god, it is everything I hoped it to be!! Everything is spot on from the mix to the performances to the setlist. 10/10
The only thing I didn't like about it, is that they spliced all of the behind-the-scenes footage in with the concert, and there's no option to turn it off. That being said, the behind-the-scenes footage is excellent too!
Wait, you can't just watch the concert? It has random cuts to other stuff? Or am I reading this wrong?
I can see that being annoying. They don't interrupt any songs, do they?
I can see that being annoying. They don't interrupt any songs, do they?
No, not at all. Only in between songs.
I can see that being annoying. They don't interrupt any songs, do they?
No, not at all. Only in between songs.
Oh okay. I can deal with that. I remember looking at potential Aerosmith DVD's once and one of them, the reviews said they would interrupt songs to show other stuff? Seems odd.
Lost In Vegas has another Alter Bridge reaction up, but this time it's more of a review. A publicist for Alter Bridge reached out to them about the Royal Albert Hall blu-ray and it looks like he sent them a clip of Fortress performance, and I say that because usually Lost In Vegas will post the link to the actual song/video, and I can't find the actual video anywhere on YouTube. So this is EXCLUSIVE to Lost In Vegas until you get the copy of Royal Albert Hall!
Here it is
https://youtu.be/sDd2m47BgAc
I don't have the album but I've been looking at youtube videos and I don't get why Mark doesn't use clean either. He has awesome clean tone.
Anyone see this? - Words Darker... with only the orchestra:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqzsOj6O0uw&t=0s
Makes me wish I could actually hear the detail of this in the mix with the band.
Anyone see this? - Words Darker... with only the orchestra:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqzsOj6O0uw&t=0s
Makes me wish I could actually hear the detail of this in the mix with the band.
Huh, very very cool sounding. Much of what I heard on the blu ray itself sounded like the band playing with the occasional keyboard string pads in the background. I honestly just assumed the orchestra was just playing a few chords on top of the guitar chords. Nice and sad to know so much more was happening.
Myles Kennedy has confirmed that ALTER BRIDGE has begun work on material for the follow-up to 2016's "The Last Hero" album. He told Myglobalmind in a new interview: "After I finish with the press today, I'll get back to writing. Mark Tremonti [ALTER BRIDGE guitarist] has been doing the same thing. We will reconvene in April and make a record. There are a whole bunch of ideas being thrown around. It's pretty exciting stuff. There is too early to tell what the vibe is just yet or what will make the cut. Mark and I tend to come up with a lot of ideas that we throw up against the wall to see what will stick. The songs we pick will decide the mood of the record and we won't know that until April."
This made me happy today:
https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alter-bridge-has-begun-writing-material-for-follow-up-to-the-last-hero/QuoteMyles Kennedy has confirmed that ALTER BRIDGE has begun work on material for the follow-up to 2016's "The Last Hero" album. He told Myglobalmind in a new interview: "After I finish with the press today, I'll get back to writing. Mark Tremonti [ALTER BRIDGE guitarist] has been doing the same thing. We will reconvene in April and make a record. There are a whole bunch of ideas being thrown around. It's pretty exciting stuff. There is too early to tell what the vibe is just yet or what will make the cut. Mark and I tend to come up with a lot of ideas that we throw up against the wall to see what will stick. The songs we pick will decide the mood of the record and we won't know that until April."
Fingers crossed for a 2019 release. My guess is early 2020 though.
Probably going to get torn alive for saying this, but I really hope Myles and Mark opt to stay more on track with their sound on this album. The highlights of Fortress and The Last Hero are some of the finest material the band's ever put out, and I feel like they're evolving more and move into a progressive metal sound a la Queensryche.
And then they try to throw in songs that sound like the 'rock-ier' tunes off of their first two albums to appease the older fans... and it just doesn't work. These songs aren't as memorable as the ones they wrote back in 2004/2007, because that's not what they seem to be as comfortable writing anymore, and they don't mesh very well with their other sound at all.
I'm all for musical diversity and mixing things up, but it has to be done well. And so far I'm getting worried that will be Myles and Mark's Achilles Heel.
That's an interesting opinion. I've always felt that AB enjoys creating and playing the "Active Rock" radio-like songs as much as they do creating their epics. Not only that, those kinds of rock radio-like songs outclasses the majority of the stuff you hear on Sirius XM Octane (I have yet to hear one track from AB on that radio station, heck the only song I heard on Sirius XM was Open Your Eyes which was on Turbo, a primary a late 90s-00s radio station). I mean songs like Farther Than the Sun and Crows on a Wire does have its merits and people in the festivals enjoy those kinds of tracks.
The one true Achilles heel for AB is, honestly, time. Both Mark and Myles are so heavily involved in their other outlets that sometimes there isn't enough time to commit around 3 months away from doing other things to focus on really fine-tuning ideas to create compelling songs. I'm all right with them pushing AB VI album release to 2020 if this is the best album they feel like represents them as a band in the now. Of course, I would really love it that, in spite of these time constraints, they get the album out in Fall like they always do and they still feel like this is the best album they feel like represents them as a band in the now, but some people don't think it would go that way. We'll see.
Probably going to get torn alive for saying this, but I really hope Myles and Mark opt to stay more on track with their sound on this album. The highlights of Fortress and The Last Hero are some of the finest material the band's ever put out, and I feel like they're evolving more and move into a progressive metal sound a la Queensryche.
And then they try to throw in songs that sound like the 'rock-ier' tunes off of their first two albums to appease the older fans... and it just doesn't work. These songs aren't as memorable as the ones they wrote back in 2004/2007, because that's not what they seem to be as comfortable writing anymore, and they don't mesh very well with their other sound at all.
I'm all for musical diversity and mixing things up, but it has to be done well. And so far I'm getting worried that will be Myles and Mark's Achilles Heel.
That's an interesting opinion. I've always felt that AB enjoys creating and playing the "Active Rock" radio-like songs as much as they do creating their epics. Not only that, those kinds of rock radio-like songs outclasses the majority of the stuff you hear on Sirius XM Octane (I have yet to hear one track from AB on that radio station, heck the only song I heard on Sirius XM was Open Your Eyes which was on Turbo, a primary a late 90s-00s radio station). I mean songs like Farther Than the Sun and Crows on a Wire does have its merits and people in the festivals enjoy those kinds of tracks.
The one true Achilles heel for AB is, honestly, time. Both Mark and Myles are so heavily involved in their other outlets that sometimes there isn't enough time to commit around 3 months away from doing other things to focus on really fine-tuning ideas to create compelling songs. I'm all right with them pushing AB VI album release to 2020 if this is the best album they feel like represents them as a band in the now. Of course, I would really love it that, in spite of these time constraints, they get the album out in Fall like they always do and they still feel like this is the best album they feel like represents them as a band in the now, but some people don't think it would go that way. We'll see.
It's funny, because I agree with all that has been written, but from the opposite point of view. I think AB is taking time from the Myles stuff I REALLY want to hear, namely his work with Slash and his solo stuff. I would SOOOOOOOOOOOO much rather hear "The Next Year Of The Tiger" (or "The Year of the Rabbit"?) than anything AB is going to put out.
It's funny, because I agree with all that has been written, but from the opposite point of view. I think AB is taking time from the Myles stuff I REALLY want to hear, namely his work with Slash and his solo stuff. I would SOOOOOOOOOOOO much rather hear "The Next Year Of The Tiger" (or "The Year of the Rabbit"?) than anything AB is going to put out.
You, my friend, are a weirdo. :lol
:yarr
It's funny, because I agree with all that has been written, but from the opposite point of view. I think AB is taking time from the Myles stuff I REALLY want to hear, namely his work with Slash and his solo stuff. I would SOOOOOOOOOOOO much rather hear "The Next Year Of The Tiger" (or "The Year of the Rabbit"?) than anything AB is going to put out.
It's funny, because I agree with all that has been written, but from the opposite point of view. I think AB is taking time from the Myles stuff I REALLY want to hear, namely his work with Slash and his solo stuff. I would SOOOOOOOOOOOO much rather hear "The Next Year Of The Tiger" (or "The Year of the Rabbit"?) than anything AB is going to put out.
I have never disagreed more with anything you've said... Did I wake up as Adami and not realize it?
Boo! Boo to you sir! :facepalm:
I'm so sorry; Mark Tremonti is good, but he's not at Slash's level if you're asking me. I saw the Slash/Myles show a couple weeks ago from the second row, and I had the feeling all night long that I was watching one of the truly greats.
I'm so sorry; Mark Tremonti is good, but he's not at Slash's level if you're asking me. I saw the Slash/Myles show a couple weeks ago from the second row, and I had the feeling all night long that I was watching one of the truly greats.
I'm so sorry; Mark Tremonti is good, but he's not at Slash's level if you're asking me. I saw the Slash/Myles show a couple weeks ago from the second row, and I had the feeling all night long that I was watching one of the truly greats.
Respectfully disagree. Mark Tremonti > Slash. It's the weirdest thing. I love A Dying Machine. I love Year of the Tiger, but I just can't finish listening to Living the Dream in full and that was the first album that Myles was a part of that I cannot listen all the way through. Slash is a guitar legend, no doubt about it. The songs he's done in the bands he's been a part of for 30 years speaks for themselves.
That stated, I just don't enjoy Slash's Aerosmith-influences/80s hard rock vibe (that sorta of sound I feel can become just as dated and generic just like modern hard rock can be generic and uninspiring) as much as Mark Tremonti's modern hard rock/heavy metal sound and that I feel like Mark and Myles is such a well-oiled machine in the guitar/songwriting front. Which is why I always will be an Alter Bridge fan first above being a Myles Kennedy fan and a Mark Tremonti fan. No doubt about that.
The thing is, though, Alter Bridge is not an arena rock band (except in the UK and certain parts of Europe, but even some people there feel like they are best suited in music halls and theaters and House of Blues). They mainly play venues that's a slightly lower tier than the venues Slash/Myles/Conspirators plays in. Say if Slash and Co plays Hollywood Palladium in LA that holds 3,500 people, AB is playing the Wiltern Theater that holds around 1,800 people.
Which is great for me as a fan, since if AB comes back to LA, I can have the chance to see them upclose in GA and don't have to pay around $100 to have that chance. I can probably pay half of that, unlike a show for a certain band that announced their tour dates this week..... (I know it's not DT that choose these prices, but man, those floor tickets for those shows are expensive).
By the way, for the record, I actually rank the post-BB albums pretty well in the catalog.
BB
Fortress
TLH
ODR
ABIII
So it's not that I think the post-BB albums are bad, they aren't. They are fantastic. I'm just not sure they'll ever top it if their focus is constantly shifting.
Yeah TLH has way to many layers and is overly compressed, but the songs are so strong.
After hearing the new DT record, I wish AB would go back to Ben Gross for the mix (he did ODR).
After hearing the new DT record, I wish AB would go back to Ben Gross for the mix (he did ODR).
With you. I just want them to do a record with SOMEONE else, ya know?
Any word if Baskette is producing/mixing this one? Hopefully they'll go in a different direction (I doubt it though).
My hope is that they continue to expand their sound a bit, incorporating a bit of that acoustic guitar. I'm not saying lets go Led Zep III or anything, but really sort of change things up during songs. Either way, extremely excited for a new album and tour.
Indeed. Between the last few AB albums and his solo albums, I feel like Tremonti has pushed HEAVY as far as he can go. Would be cool to go away from all the heavy stuff. Leave it for the solo albums, and live will have tons of older songs that are really heavy. They really need some diversity beyond 20 seconds in one song of classical guitar.
In more serious AB studio news, Michael Tremonti (Mark's brother and head PR guy) stated that they got 14 songs ready to be recorded and Flip begins tracking drums in a few days.
In lighter AB studio news, in a rare social media post from Flip, here's Myles on the drums.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bvj7je1hd_G/
In more serious AB studio news, Michael Tremonti (Mark's brother and head PR guy) stated that they got 14 songs ready to be recorded and Flip begins tracking drums in a few days.
:metalIn lighter AB studio news, in a rare social media post from Flip, here's Myles on the drums.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bvj7je1hd_G/
That's awesome, Myles is such a good dude.
I've been a very reluctant traveler on the Alter Bridge train so far. I feel like it's so much talent wasted. Well, not WASTED, but not tapped into as deeply as it could be. I MUCH prefer Myles solo and with Slash (I LOVE his work with Slash) and it always seems like I SHOULD love AB and just, barely, like it. I think if they did go epic - basically, the closer they move to the format of Zeppelin (Light/dark, keyboard flourishes, acoustic numbers, oddball song structures) - I think the more I'm going to be on board. I'm just not into that - I don't know what it's called; it's not "nu metal", but maybe I'll call it "nu heavy" - that Tremonti plays so much. I know you know what I mean, I just don't have a word for it. That chugging, dropped E-string growly riff that seems to crop up 8, 10 times a record.
I hope they go back to the vocal production style of Blackbird. Not too many layers of Myles, Mark doing a lot of the harmonies, etc. I think Mark's voice perfectly compliments Myles' voice during harmony sections. A big part of the reason I'm not a huge fan of The Last Hero is because of the vocal production. It's just got too many layers of Myles. It begins to sound a bit whiny and jarring/harsh.
I wonder what Prog 808 means :lolmost likely a drum machine programme. The Roland TR-808 was a legendary one.
I wonder what Prog 808 means :lolmost likely a drum machine programme. The Roland TR-808 was a legendary one.
Album title/release date and possible cover artwork leaked, as well as UK arena dates!
https://www.rocksins.com/2019/06/alter-bridge-to-return-to-uk-for-december-2019-arena-tour-with-shinedown-and-sevendust-36219/
LP
SIDE A (running time 17:36 )
01. One Life
02. Wouldn‘t You Rather
03. In The Deep
04. Godspeed
05. Native Son
SIDE B (running time 22:41 )
01. Take The Crown
02. Indoctriniation
03. The Bitter End
04. Pay No Mind
05. Forever Calling
SIDE C (running time 20:12 )
01. Clear Horizon
02. Walking On The Sky
03. Tear Us Apart
04. Dying Light
Side D with an Alter Bridge Logo Etching
(https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0051/5070/3734/files/AB_WTS_WEBSITE_CLEAN2.png)
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For over 15 years, Alter Bridge has been a band known for blurring the line between hard rock and heavy metal. Building upon the sound that has won the band worldwide critical acclaim and a devoted global fan base, the band returns with their sixth studio album, Walk The Sky. The fourteen-track opus marks a creative highpoint for the quartet comprised of Myles Kennedy on vocals/guitars, Mark Tremonti on guitars/vocals, Brian Marshall on bass and Scott Phillips on drums. Walk The Sky is a complete career retrospective drawing upon elements from each of the band’s previous releases to create something new from the band. Recorded in a way never done before, the album was born from complete song ideas created by Kennedy and Tremonti. These songs would then be worked on by the entire band to create the fourteen songs that would make Walk The Sky the listening experience it is.
This varies from the band’s previous method going back to their sophomore release Blackbird where Kennedy and Tremonti would combine individual ideas and riffs alongside producer Michael “Elvis” Baskette to form some of the band’s most revered songs. From the opening vocal melody on “One Life” to the moving finale of “Dying Light,” Alter Bridge have created a formidable addition to their music catalog. Songs like “God Speed,” “Native Son” and “Walking On The Sky” are sure to be early additions to the live set. The first single “Wouldn’t You Rather” is quintessential Alter Bridge and “Forever Falling” also marks a lead vocal return from Tremonti with Kennedy taking the chorus as done previously on the Fortress favorite “Waters Rising.” Alter Bridge will be heading out on a worldwide tour beginning in September in the United States before heading over to Europe to close out 2019.
I love that album cover. There is a couple cool song titles in there too.
Looking forward to the single in a couple weeks.
I love that album cover. There is a couple cool song titles in there too.
Looking forward to the single in a couple weeks.
It's different for them. Which I dig. Not sure if I like it per se, but I like that it is different.
Did you read the way they wrote the record? It was sort of confusing. Did Mark and Myles each come up with fully-written songs, or did they from scratch, together, write full songs, instead of piecing together riffs? It's vague, and I'm not sure if it is on purpose, or just badly worded.
I love that album cover. There is a couple cool song titles in there too.
Looking forward to the single in a couple weeks.
It's different for them. Which I dig. Not sure if I like it per se, but I like that it is different.
Did you read the way they wrote the record? It was sort of confusing. Did Mark and Myles each come up with fully-written songs, or did they from scratch, together, write full songs, instead of piecing together riffs? It's vague, and I'm not sure if it is on purpose, or just badly worded.
I think the interpretation is that Mark and Myles each came up with fully-written songs for the majority of the album, bring it to pre-production and then the band would put their finishing touches on these songs. It's different than the usual approach where Mark and Myles has lots of ideas and parts they want to use, get together to write and take these parts and put them together to create songs around January or so, and then go into pre-production.
It is a different approach than how they have written the last couple of albums and it can be something that they need to shake up their approach to writing songs.
Hmm. Well, regardless, I am stoked for a new AB album. I do, however, think that they need to devote more time to writing together, from scratch.
Hmm. Well, regardless, I am stoked for a new AB album. I do, however, think that they need to devote more time to writing together, from scratch.
Yeah, as much as I love that idea, that's never happening at the rate both Mark and Myles' schedules are. I'm just actually shocked that after Year of the Tiger and A Dying Machine that both guys still had full song ideas and felt that these songs can go well with AB's great catalog.
I'm really curious to hear where the album goes. All this talk about it being the opposite of AB III, and having some 80s synth in it has me extremely curious.
Wow. That was surprisingly more rocking than I expected and rather heavy. Maybe I'll become an Alterbridge fan yet! :metal
Wow. That was surprisingly more rocking than I expected and rather heavy. Maybe I'll become an Alterbridge fan yet! :metal
If you can get me into Iced Earth, I can return the favor. :lol :metal
Working my way through this list. Wow. I'll probably be going down the Alter Bridge and Tremonti wormhole this weekend.
Working my way through this list. Wow. I'll probably be going down the Alter Bridge and Tremonti wormhole this weekend.
They clearly have a great method of essentially being a song factory. They can keep making good songs forever, but they are (more and more each album) feeling less inspired and more by the numbers. While they sound pleasing (minus the production) they no longer give me any kind of emotional reaction, which is unfortunate.
I only heard the song once but I didn't hear anything that Tremonti was trying to play like Myles. That just seems silly.
I only heard the song once but I didn't hear anything that Tremonti was trying to play like Myles. That just seems silly.
Not at all. In fact, on the last record, Mark said specifically that he was trying to make his solos be a bit more in tune with the melody of the song, like Myles. Mark's solo on this new single follows suit with that. And that's what I'm referring to.
I only heard the song once but I didn't hear anything that Tremonti was trying to play like Myles. That just seems silly.
Not at all. In fact, on the last record, Mark said specifically that he was trying to make his solos be a bit more in tune with the melody of the song, like Myles. Mark's solo on this new single follows suit with that. And that's what I'm referring to.
Mark's solos on the last album failed compared to Myles. His most blandest solos on an AB record IMO. Maybe he should just be himself and let Myles be Myles.
You know what? I'm really contemplating going to this show in North Carolina.
Alter Bridge with 10 Years and Dirty Honey opening - The Ritz - Raleigh, NC - September 19th, 2019. I'm at the Walk the Sky Listening Party on September 17th, 2019 in Orlando. Plane tickets from Orlando to Raleigh doesn't look expensive. I can travel in the day between and spend the day in Raleigh waiting for the show. GA tickets are around $43.00 on Ticketmaster and I can get back to SoCal for a half day of work the following Friday. Plus, 10 Years seems to be an all right band to open for AB. Shoot, I'm doing it. Life is too tumultuous with its ups and downs for me not to take this chance. As always, for me, AB always finds the way to give me an answer to the next path of life.
I really like that song. Still not a fan of the mix, but it's a cool short AB song. There are definitely some keyboard elements happening in there it sounds like.this, I think it will be a banger of an album (although I like all their records). Thanks to Myles as well, he did it again IMHO (as he always does)
I also like how the chorus has a back half that is very different from the front half. Oh and the half time at the end :metal
Pumped for this album!
Welp. Less than a month go to before I head out to the East Coast for the Walk the Sky album listening party and their first show of the tour in Raleigh, NC.Nice! I was thinking of going! Maybe we can meet up?
Welp. Less than a month go to before I head out to the East Coast for the Walk the Sky album listening party and their first show of the tour in Raleigh, NC.Nice! I was thinking of going! Maybe we can meet up?
In the Deep was a solid track, I really like that one. Nice to hear a little breathing room in the verses.
So my life has been made and it is downhill from here. By a stroke of luck, I somehow ended up on the same plane as Myles getting to Orlando to Raleigh. Spoke to him after the ride. Told him ty for everything him, Mark , Flip and , Brian has done for AB. Told him ty for the solo shows . He signed my Royal Albert Hall Earbook and I got a picture of me and him. He was the ever classy professional gentlemen while I was somewhat an incoherent mess, but he was the best letting me get my thoughts together.That's incredible!
So my life has been made and it is downhill from here. By a stroke of luck, I somehow ended up on the same plane as Myles getting to Orlando to Raleigh. Spoke to him after the ride. Told him ty for everything him, Mark , Flip and , Brian has done for AB. Told him ty for the solo shows . He signed my Royal Albert Hall Earbook and I got a picture of me and him. He was the ever classy professional gentlemen while I was somewhat an incoherent mess, but he was the best letting me get my thoughts together.
Also I had a fantastic time at the listening party and set. I like the Walk The Sky album when they played it on the house speakers. This will take more listens of course, but I digged Native Son, Forever Falling, Clear Horizon, and Walking on the Sky. Now to get ready for the first big headlining show tomorrow.
So my life has been made and it is downhill from here. By a stroke of luck, I somehow ended up on the same plane as Myles getting to Orlando to Raleigh. Spoke to him after the ride. Told him ty for everything him, Mark , Flip and , Brian has done for AB. Told him ty for the solo shows . He signed my Royal Albert Hall Earbook and I got a picture of me and him. He was the ever classy professional gentlemen while I was somewhat an incoherent mess, but he was the best letting me get my thoughts together.
Also I had a fantastic time at the listening party and set. I like the Walk The Sky album when they played it on the house speakers. This will take more listens of course, but I digged Native Son, Forever Falling, Clear Horizon, and Walking on the Sky. Now to get ready for the first big headlining show tomorrow.
That's awesome man, great story!
I think I'll be hitting up the AB show in Columbus on Friday this week :metal
So my life has been made and it is downhill from here. By a stroke of luck, I somehow ended up on the same plane as Myles getting to Orlando to Raleigh. Spoke to him after the ride. Told him ty for everything him, Mark , Flip and , Brian has done for AB. Told him ty for the solo shows . He signed my Royal Albert Hall Earbook and I got a picture of me and him. He was the ever classy professional gentlemen while I was somewhat an incoherent mess, but he was the best letting me get my thoughts together.
Also I had a fantastic time at the listening party and set. I like the Walk The Sky album when they played it on the house speakers. This will take more listens of course, but I digged Native Son, Forever Falling, Clear Horizon, and Walking on the Sky. Now to get ready for the first big headlining show tomorrow.
That's awesome man, great story!
I think I'll be hitting up the AB show in Columbus on Friday this week :metal
Ty. So did you end up being at the show in Columbus? That must have been quite a show there. Myles was pretty sick and they did something I don't think any of us would ever expect. Mark sang Burn it Down and Broken Wings and Myles ended up on the guitar and added a little bit to the songs there and I think the results are quite pleasing. Here are some videos below.
Burn It Down
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfNQQunff9U
Broken Wings
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwLfrQbm_uk
While I feel bad for Myles, I personally dig that kind of stuff. It's once-in-a-lifetime and though I wasn't at any of these shows, to me it's really indicative of how good these guys are (and therefore not just playing a programed 90 minutes or whatever).
Walk the Sky is so far a middle of the road album for them. Better than some, but not among the best. We'll see if that changes after multiple listens.
I've spun it a few times and I agree it's middle of the road AB. There are fewer solos on this one; its seems they decided to focus on composition this time. We'll see how it changes with more spins....standouts for me so far are Godspeed, Indoctrination, and Forever Falling.
I think Walk the Sky can be more appreciated when listened to along with not just AB III, but with Year of the Tiger as well. I've always thought that Year of the Tiger in some ways a prequel to AB III when it comes to the themes of losing faith and the stuff that is related to it, and Walk the Sky is the epilogue and the big reflective throughout this journey. I'm not going to go ahead and post my thoughts on it now (since that's going to take forever), but I think the album is great and I think it's a good step up from The Last Hero.
I think Walk the Sky can be more appreciated when listened to along with not just AB III, but with Year of the Tiger as well. I've always thought that Year of the Tiger in some ways a prequel to AB III when it comes to the themes of losing faith and the stuff that is related to it, and Walk the Sky is the epilogue and the big reflective throughout this journey.
Clear Horizon is a fantastic song :metal
Finally made my way through WTS with a few quality listens. As a huge Alter Bridge fan I was a bit let down after my first listen. There are some GREAT songs on this and I feel like the start and end of the album are super strong, however I feel like there is some dead weight in the middle that bog down the listen. I think the album would have been stronger with a few cuts. That may change with more listens...
Overall though, I'm with Mike - I like it more than TLH. But where it ultimately sits will take time. I do hope they return to soloing a bit more next time out though. I feel like a duo of Kennedy and Tremonti is creatively on-par with some of the best duos from the 70s and 80s, and I would really like them to showcase their trade off and harmonized skills a bit. But that's probably the 40-something in me talking. Still though, if you have those skills, I'd like to hear it.
I definitely do not like this album as much as TLH. Yes it has some superb songwriting and the production is better... .... These are epic compositions that nothing from WtS could match IMO.
I agree.I definitely do not like this album as much as TLH. Yes it has some superb songwriting and the production is better... .... These are epic compositions that nothing from WtS could match IMO.
I feel the opposite regarding your first sentence. I think it is by far superior. But I fully agree with the middle part I quoted and your last sentence.
Walk the Sky is meant to not be as drawn out. It's a big focus on melody. And melodically, it is far superior to anything they've ever done. I'm blown away at how they've been able to be pivot a little bit, direction-wise, and still maintain everything that makes them unique as Alter Bridge. They reduced the number of traditional solos, and shortened them, but then they crop up near the end of songs, or during sections you wouldn't expect, sitting underneath, but not disturbing the huge melodies. Every listen to this record has opened my eyes more to just how incredible the record is. I won't lie -- it took a minute. First listen I was a little taken aback. Second listen a couple of things got my attention. Third listen, boom, I was admitting that some of the tunes are absolute classics. Now, after many spins (I think I'm approaching 10), I went so far to say last night to my wife that this is probably by second favorite AB record in terms of front to back. It flows that well, and has this organic feel that I haven't heard from them since the Blackbird album.
That said, obviously, other records, like AB III, have songs I love more (if we're cherry picking). But honestly, not by much. I mean yeah, Blackbird and Words Darker Than Their Wings sit higher than Dying Light to me. But the sheer amount of songs I LOVE on Walk the Sky dwarfs the amount on any other AB record except possibly Blackbird. Walk the Sky just continues to grow on me with each subsequent listen. Native Son took a few spins, and then it jumped at me, for example. Another good example is Indoctrination. I wasn't huge at all on that tune. And just now I am listening to it, and it has really connected with me, and I'm wondering what I didn't hear earlier. The growl, the chorus, the little but impactful solo at the end... it's great!
The record is a grower, with a huge reward if you let it sink in. Other than the addition of the synths for atmosphere, the biggest thing I have noticed is just how powerful the choruses are. My big thing with AB were their killer bridges. They always wrote good choruses, but man, the bridges were just other-worldly. And they still are. But the choruses are crazy good on Walk the Sky. Probably the best they've ever done on a record.
I know everything is subjective, and you have a right to feel how you feel. But it took me a bit for it really to sink in. And at least to me, it sounds immense on headphones.
I agree.
so I am told. :DI agree.
Max, you are a man of few words. :lol But thankfully, I'm not alone in my feelings on this album. ha ha.
I definitely do not like this album as much as TLH. Yes it has some superb songwriting and the production is better... .... These are epic compositions that nothing from WtS could match IMO.
I feel the opposite regarding your first sentence. I think it is by far superior. But I fully agree with the middle part I quoted and your last sentence.
Walk the Sky is meant to not be as drawn out. It's a big focus on melody. And melodically, it is far superior to anything they've ever done. I'm blown away at how they've been able to be pivot a little bit, direction-wise, and still maintain everything that makes them unique as Alter Bridge. They reduced the number of traditional solos, and shortened them, but then they crop up near the end of songs, or during sections you wouldn't expect, sitting underneath, but not disturbing the huge melodies. Every listen to this record has opened my eyes more to just how incredible the record is. I won't lie -- it took a minute. First listen I was a little taken aback. Second listen a couple of things got my attention. Third listen, boom, I was admitting that some of the tunes are absolute classics. Now, after many spins (I think I'm approaching 10), I went so far to say last night to my wife that this is probably by second favorite AB record in terms of front to back. It flows that well, and has this organic feel that I haven't heard from them since the Blackbird album.
That said, obviously, other records, like AB III, have songs I love more (if we're cherry picking). But honestly, not by much. I mean yeah, Blackbird and Words Darker Than Their Wings sit higher than Dying Light to me. But the sheer amount of songs I LOVE on Walk the Sky dwarfs the amount on any other AB record except possibly Blackbird. Walk the Sky just continues to grow on me with each subsequent listen. Native Son took a few spins, and then it jumped at me, for example. Another good example is Indoctrination. I wasn't huge at all on that tune. And just now I am listening to it, and it has really connected with me, and I'm wondering what I didn't hear earlier. The growl, the chorus, the little but impactful solo at the end... it's great!
The record is a grower, with a huge reward if you let it sink in. Other than the addition of the synths for atmosphere, the biggest thing I have noticed is just how powerful the choruses are. My big thing with AB were their killer bridges. They always wrote good choruses, but man, the bridges were just other-worldly. And they still are. But the choruses are crazy good on Walk the Sky. Probably the best they've ever done on a record.
I know everything is subjective, and you have a right to feel how you feel. But it took me a bit for it really to sink in. And at least to me, it sounds immense on headphones.
I definitely do not like this album as much as TLH. Yes it has some superb songwriting and the production is better... .... These are epic compositions that nothing from WtS could match IMO.
I feel the opposite regarding your first sentence. I think it is by far superior. But I fully agree with the middle part I quoted and your last sentence.
Walk the Sky is meant to not be as drawn out. It's a big focus on melody. And melodically, it is far superior to anything they've ever done. I'm blown away at how they've been able to be pivot a little bit, direction-wise, and still maintain everything that makes them unique as Alter Bridge. They reduced the number of traditional solos, and shortened them, but then they crop up near the end of songs, or during sections you wouldn't expect, sitting underneath, but not disturbing the huge melodies. Every listen to this record has opened my eyes more to just how incredible the record is. I won't lie -- it took a minute. First listen I was a little taken aback. Second listen a couple of things got my attention. Third listen, boom, I was admitting that some of the tunes are absolute classics. Now, after many spins (I think I'm approaching 10), I went so far to say last night to my wife that this is probably by second favorite AB record in terms of front to back. It flows that well, and has this organic feel that I haven't heard from them since the Blackbird album.
That said, obviously, other records, like AB III, have songs I love more (if we're cherry picking). But honestly, not by much. I mean yeah, Blackbird and Words Darker Than Their Wings sit higher than Dying Light to me. But the sheer amount of songs I LOVE on Walk the Sky dwarfs the amount on any other AB record except possibly Blackbird. Walk the Sky just continues to grow on me with each subsequent listen. Native Son took a few spins, and then it jumped at me, for example. Another good example is Indoctrination. I wasn't huge at all on that tune. And just now I am listening to it, and it has really connected with me, and I'm wondering what I didn't hear earlier. The growl, the chorus, the little but impactful solo at the end... it's great!
The record is a grower, with a huge reward if you let it sink in. Other than the addition of the synths for atmosphere, the biggest thing I have noticed is just how powerful the choruses are. My big thing with AB were their killer bridges. They always wrote good choruses, but man, the bridges were just other-worldly. And they still are. But the choruses are crazy good on Walk the Sky. Probably the best they've ever done on a record.
I know everything is subjective, and you have a right to feel how you feel. But it took me a bit for it really to sink in. And at least to me, it sounds immense on headphones.
Musically, Walk the Sky beats The Last Hero and Fortress. Not sure if it surpasses ABIII or Blackbird for me though.
I must say that I prefer AB doing songs that are more personal/introspective in nature, as opposed to the 'We must save the good earth from ourselves' type of themes.
I didn't really dig the album or gave it much of a chance but I hope they rerelease the studio album at some point with this as a bonus disc. I'd probably pick it up and try and get into it more.
My God, man, Myles can sing!
Killer band. I still opt for the first two but everything they've done is rock and roll at It's best.
About. Time.I see where you’re coming from, but they’re still keeping to the pattern of a new album every 3 years. That’s pretty impressive given how many side projects there are!
I am supportive of all the side/other projects, but Alter Bridge, to be honest, is where the focus should be. Sadly, I feel they sometimes take AB for granted given how thin they spread their time on other things.
Don't get me wrong, I love Myles' solo stuff, his work with Slash, and of course, Tremonti. But I really would enjoy Alter Bridge being the sole focus for awhile. Really looking forward to what comes next. I was fortunate enough to see two shows on the Walk the Sky tour, and they were great (SF was much better than Lake Tahoe, but both were great). And I enjoy the Walk the Sky album. But...part of me rolls my eyes that it's another "Elvis" record. Do something different!
I'm sure it will rock, and this post will age poorly. LOL. And honestly, I hope it does age poorly. I just wish AB was THE focus of all four guys for a few years straight and they mixed things up a bit, sonically.
I love Alter Bridge and have since their first album came out. But I feel like they haven't really offered anything particularly noteworthy since Fortress. I'd love to see them do something a little different this time. Balls to the walls metal, or super proggy, or something. I'd also love to see more songs with Myles and Mark trading lead vocals. I'd love to be blown away by this one like I was their earlier albums.
I love Alter Bridge and have since their first album came out. But I feel like they haven't really offered anything particularly noteworthy since Fortress. I'd love to see them do something a little different this time. Balls to the walls metal, or super proggy, or something. I'd also love to see more songs with Myles and Mark trading lead vocals. I'd love to be blown away by this one like I was their earlier albums.
Tremonti is getting better, and I think the last two records have been some of his all time strongest work.
I love Alter Bridge and have since their first album came out. But I feel like they haven't really offered anything particularly noteworthy since Fortress. I'd love to see them do something a little different this time. Balls to the walls metal, or super proggy, or something. I'd also love to see more songs with Myles and Mark trading lead vocals. I'd love to be blown away by this one like I was their earlier albums.
Think I read a while back that they are going down the line of more epics. Walk The Sky was an experiment to make a super commercial album.
We actually booked this in 2020, it was all set - everyone was getting ready to fly in but it got canceled due to Covid. WWE and Edge have been great to us over the years, we love them and would jump at any opportunity to work with them
I don't blame you for not going. Flights from California to Orlando is pretty expensive right now (even more expensive by a huge margin in comparison to the last time I went around the same period in 2019) for one person. Three people and it's like it's just not worth the price by a huge margin.
I don't blame you for not going. Flights from California to Orlando is pretty expensive right now (even more expensive by a huge margin in comparison to the last time I went around the same period in 2019) for one person. Three people and it's like it's just not worth the price by a huge margin.
If you end up going. Hoping you can "live post" a little here from the show, letting us know what they played, etc. Obviously, only if you have time - the most important thing is to enjoy it. :metal
A friend introduced me to them in 2004 just as the first record was released, and being a fan of Creed, there was natural interest. But the moment I heard Myles, I was like "hot damn, they got themselves a dynamic singer." And I became a hardcore right then. The wife followed suit (she's a professionally trained singer and huge Myles fan), and our daughter's first favorite song was "Watch Over You" when she was just old enough to talk, and she has become a massive AB nut now too (not to mention Myles solo and Tremonti). It's been great fun sharing a band together and looking forward to more adventures, but we're probably limited to the West Coast since it's always the three of us.
I saw the Blackbird tour in Spokane, then the AB III tour in Seattle and San Francisco, the Fortress tour in San Francisco, the Last Hero tour in San Francisco and Spokane, and the Walk the Sky tour in Lake Tahoe and San Francisco. My wife flew down to LA for the AB III show there and is on the live recording included in AB 3.5, in the crowd. She's seen every tour except Blackbird with me. The kid...this is funny/not funny. We flew up to Spokane for the last date of the Last Hero tour. Did the meet and greet (which was ridiculously crowded), soundcheck, got snowed on, etc. By the time we got into the show itself, and got situated, our daughter (who at the time was probably a bit too young for all that one-day travel up and everything involved in quick trip - we should have known better) just couldn't do it. So my wife (I owe her one) took our daughter to the hotel. I got to see the set, and of course, they played Words Darker Than Their Wings and Myles just knocked that note out of the park better than he did on the live album. I think the Mrs. is STILL pissed she missed that, even though I recorded the tune. ha ha ha. Thankfully, now that our kid is older, she went to see the Walk the Sky tour with us, and just had an absolute blast. Can't wait for more.
As for the upcoming Pawns & Kings album, the anticipation is high. I am HOPING, that although the engineering and production team of Moll/Baskette is the same, that the guys really tried to stretch a bit. It sounds promising that Mark said that it's darker and more aggressive again. I just hope they got a little more progressive (I think he said they did, I could be mistaken), and maybe incorporate some more acoustic/electric within the same songs, etc. I want them to really do a long piece (be cool if they did an adventurous 9 or 10 minute tune. Either way, it's going to slay and I'm excited for it.
I don't blame you for not going. Flights from California to Orlando is pretty expensive right now (even more expensive by a huge margin in comparison to the last time I went around the same period in 2019) for one person. Three people and it's like it's just not worth the price by a huge margin.
If you end up going. Hoping you can "live post" a little here from the show, letting us know what they played, etc. Obviously, only if you have time - the most important thing is to enjoy it. :metal
5:00 PM finally hits and the two lines were going to get inside and then after like 10 people each line got inside, the venue security decided to literally close the door on me and will open when the people inside have already checked in and got their photo with the band. I honestly think that the particular venue security guard was giving us spite for talking down on them after we (rightfully!!!!) argue that we should have gotten in first. Now for me, I didn't actually say anything. I was naturally agreed with what other people in line next to me are saying and those people were pissed off as hell. I was mad, but opted not to be visually be upset about it. After all we went through regarding that BS with the venue security, that was just another slap in the face. Anyway, I finally got in, checked in, shook the band’s hands and say hey to everyone, took the photo and that was that, I was running to get a close spot. I got the photo below, but man I look pretty terrible there. My hair looked out of place. My hand when trying to pose with the horns looks like it was at a wrong angle. Not the greatest picture that I am going to be a part of. Thankfully, this would actually not be the last picture with an AB member that I was in on this trip, but more on that in the next part.
Overall, I would say that the meet and greet the band wasn’t all great. Just say hey to the guys, take the photo and that was that. I understand that with 500 people buying this thing and everyone needs to get their pictures with the band that having a decent conversation with the band would not happen. In fact, I heard someone in the back said that even Mark asked if they can slow things down to try to get a proper conversation with their fans, but the venue organizer wouldn’t even say yes to that for the band (which I get because the album is supposed to be played at 7:00 and the show is at 9:00). No matter, I got myself a spot in the center at the 2nd or 3rd row which is the closest I have ever gotten for an AB related show. I was in the nosebleeds of the theaters when I saw Slash/Myles/Conspirators and AB in 2014 and I was in the 5th row for Myles’ solo show last year. Of course, that would be topped in two days, but I will get to that later.
I thought for Walk the Sky, the best stretch of the album was in the back half with songs like Forever Falling, Clear Horizon, Walking on the Sky, and then the breather song Tear Us Apart, before going into the big closer, A Dying Light.
Listened to a minute or two of it and it just didn’t grab me at all. Sounded like a pretty by the numbers AB song. I’ll try it again soon and listen to the whole thing but they really haven’t impressed me much in the last few albums.
Listened to a minute or two of it and it just didn’t grab me at all. Sounded like a pretty by the numbers AB song. I’ll try it again soon and listen to the whole thing but they really haven’t impressed me much in the last few albums.
Which actually means you missed the amazing breakdown at the three minute mark.
Listened to a minute or two of it and it just didn’t grab me at all. Sounded like a pretty by the numbers AB song. I’ll try it again soon and listen to the whole thing but they really haven’t impressed me much in the last few albums.
Full disclosure: I don't do well with early releases like this. I HATED Tattoo when VH released it like this, but the album was my 2012 album of the year. I HATED the DT snippets for... I think it was the self-titled, and it's an excellent record. I outright MOCKED the Arc Of Life (Billy Sherwood) project, and yet the album itself was very good.
So with that, it's a good song, not great, and largely because it's looking to be something more adventurous, clearly, but Tremonti's guitars still have that nu-metalish wall sound and the drums sound like he's hitting a cardboard box ("thock!", "thock!"). It's distracting. I've said before, I don't want the artists I like to do what I want, I want to hear their choices. And that stands; I just wish there was more... warmth in Alter Bridge. Not soft, not emotion, but in terms of the sound. But that's me.
I'd pay money to hear an Alter Bridge album produced by Dave Cobb (Rival Sons), for example. Myles worked with him on Slash's album "4".
I'd pay money to hear an Alter Bridge album produced by Dave Cobb (Rival Sons), for example. Myles worked with him on Slash's album "4".
Listened to the whole song.
Bridge was cool, but not enough to make me interested. It just feel (to me, and possibly only to me) that they said "well, we have to put out another record in the next few months, so let's get it done or something."
I can't hear that raw inspiration I used to hear. Sounds like they have their formulas and bag of tricks and are writing because it's time to do so. I'm sure they're having a good time and not phoning it in, but it just feels requested, rather than something they needed to express.
Yeah, I wasn't thrilled with the production again on this tune.
Only listened on my phone so there's that, but I don't hear any tonal difference between any of the drums. No warmth, just thunk, thunk, thunk. Song isn't bad...maybe with repeat spins and within the context of the full album. Will try again later with headphones.Song definitely sounds better for me on headphones than on my car stereo.
Another new song has been released - Silver Tongue
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snl8OANQ948
Chugga chugga.
I didn't dig that song at all. Maybe I'm just growing out of these guys.
I finally listened to the two new singles in a row at a nicely loud volume in my studio over at my parents.
I was still a bit on the fence although I already liked it more than anything from Walk The Sky. But I have to say that musically I’m really digging it, suddenly it just clicked. This gives me high hopes for the album. Actually getting some Fortress vibes from these tracks - their last album where I still had that infatuation with their brand of epic sounding heavy rock. The last two records were really pushing it with the wall-of-sound production, but the new material brings it back to tolerable levels for me.
I didn't dig that song at all. Maybe I'm just growing out of these guys.
I think could also be me. After loving these guys for a few years now, I really did not connect at all with Walk The Sky and these new songs feel like more of the same.
3 shows, all within 1.5 hours from me, hhmmm.
Disappointed to see no NC show. On their last tour (I think it was the last tour), they played one of my favorite venues here in Raleigh, and I had to miss it because Dream Theater was playing across town the same night.
:tup :metalDisappointed to see no NC show. On their last tour (I think it was the last tour), they played one of my favorite venues here in Raleigh, and I had to miss it because Dream Theater was playing across town the same night.
I think I was there for it. That was at the Ritz 09/19/19. The only time out of 7 shows I landed a rail spot (and I had to be a little dirty to get it after being a tad pissed at the venue security a few days before in Orlando for the listening party that denied me a sure rail spot). Great show, although I was on the rail on Mark's side which made it interesting that I could hear everything except for Myles' guitar on that night.
Looks like we're going to go to three shows. Make a long travel weekend for a couple of them, and then drive to the show closest to us for the third.
Hate a lot of these are at casinos. I already called and verified that children can attend the concerts at one of them. The other, the person was clueless.
I mean most of these venues are pretty much on par with what AB usually plays stateside for their shows. Around 1,500-3,000 people. The Anaheim HOB will actually be the largest venue they will play in LA/Anaheim since they normally would play the Wiltern (1,850 people) in comparison to about 2,000 people at the HOB.
I mean most of these venues are pretty much on par with what AB usually plays stateside for their shows. Around 1,500-3,000 people. The Anaheim HOB will actually be the largest venue they will play in LA/Anaheim since they normally would play the Wiltern (1,850 people) in comparison to about 2,000 people at the HOB.
For some reason I thought they were an arena-level band. I mean no disrespect by any of this, I'm just surprised is all.
^^ Well, if you weren't much into Tremonti when you saw them with Sevendust last year, then your enjoyment of AB will be based on how much you enjoy Myles Kennedy then.
I have no idea who Shinedown or Breaking Benjamin is, but they tour arenas? Five Finger Death Punch too? But not Alterbridge?I'm with you, bud. I don't get it, but it's true, and the dollars speak for themselves (though I know someone that just saw BB in Buffalo -or Syracuse, I forget which - and they said they KILLED it. Best reaction from the crowd, and the most energy.
Some of those places are not big places. The Paramount was where I saw Slash and Myles two tours ago (I was in front and exchanged nice words with Myles) and the Dome at Wallingford is not the main theater where DT has played the last 28 tours. Interesting.Is that the area you pointed out at the DT show? right outside the seating area?
I have no idea who Shinedown or Breaking Benjamin is, but they tour arenas? Five Finger Death Punch too? But not Alterbridge?
That said, while I never heard of Alterbridge until I went to this forum, they are playing an arena in Amsterdam, so it seems they are popular here.
All right, ticket for Anaheim is booked. Ticket for Toronto is also booked, but I'll work out the flight/hotel/passport logistics along the way. The show in Highland is promoted via AXS and they don't have a presale. Just regular sale on Friday, so I'll wait until then.
That said, while I never heard of Alterbridge until I went to this forum, they are playing an arena in Amsterdam, so it seems they are popular here.
Yeah, they are gigantic in Europe. One of their live albums was done in Amsterdam.
Not sure what you mean by gigantic. In Germany they play the same venues that DT used to play with a capacity ranging from 3000 to 5000 people.
Some of those places are not big places. The Paramount was where I saw Slash and Myles two tours ago (I was in front and exchanged nice words with Myles) and the Dome at Wallingford is not the main theater where DT has played the last 28 tours. Interesting.Is that the area you pointed out at the DT show? right outside the seating area?
The point is - AB is GIGANTIC in comparison with the United States.
Some of those places are not big places. The Paramount was where I saw Slash and Myles two tours ago (I was in front and exchanged nice words with Myles) and the Dome at Wallingford is not the main theater where DT has played the last 28 tours. Interesting.Is that the area you pointed out at the DT show? right outside the seating area?
Sorry to jump in, but I was just about to ask where this venue was. Is the 'Dome' the actual lobby of the venue?!
Some of those places are not big places. The Paramount was where I saw Slash and Myles two tours ago (I was in front and exchanged nice words with Myles) and the Dome at Wallingford is not the main theater where DT has played the last 28 tours. Interesting.Is that the area you pointed out at the DT show? right outside the seating area?
Sorry to jump in, but I was just about to ask where this venue was. Is the 'Dome' the actual lobby of the venue?!
So according to the wiki page, take it for what it's worth, it looks like the Dome part of the venue is the smaller of the two rooms in the building. The one with 1,649 people capacity.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Oakdale_Theatre
Yeah, that's why I asked. It sounds like it could be a cool setting honestly so I might go to this show.Some of those places are not big places. The Paramount was where I saw Slash and Myles two tours ago (I was in front and exchanged nice words with Myles) and the Dome at Wallingford is not the main theater where DT has played the last 28 tours. Interesting.Is that the area you pointed out at the DT show? right outside the seating area?
Sorry to jump in, but I was just about to ask where this venue was. Is the 'Dome' the actual lobby of the venue?!
So according to the wiki page, take it for what it's worth, it looks like the Dome part of the venue is the smaller of the two rooms in the building. The one with 1,649 people capacity.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Oakdale_Theatre
Yeah, the dome is basically the main lobby for the Oakdale Theatre. Stadler showed this to Vmadera and I when we saw DT there earlier this year. The dome was the original venue before they built the theater part. I am a bit surprised this show would be there and not the theater though unless the band specifically wanted a GA crowd?
Some of those places are not big places. The Paramount was where I saw Slash and Myles two tours ago (I was in front and exchanged nice words with Myles) and the Dome at Wallingford is not the main theater where DT has played the last 28 tours. Interesting.Is that the area you pointed out at the DT show? right outside the seating area?
Sorry to jump in, but I was just about to ask where this venue was. Is the 'Dome' the actual lobby of the venue?!
So according to the wiki page, take it for what it's worth, it looks like the Dome part of the venue is the smaller of the two rooms in the building. The one with 1,649 people capacity.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Oakdale_Theatre
Yeah, the dome is basically the main lobby for the Oakdale Theatre. Stadler showed this to Vmadera and I when we saw DT there earlier this year. The dome was the original venue before they built the theater part. I am a bit surprised this show would be there and not the theater though unless the band specifically wanted a GA crowd?
Some of those places are not big places. The Paramount was where I saw Slash and Myles two tours ago (I was in front and exchanged nice words with Myles) and the Dome at Wallingford is not the main theater where DT has played the last 28 tours. Interesting.Is that the area you pointed out at the DT show? right outside the seating area?
Sorry to jump in, but I was just about to ask where this venue was. Is the 'Dome' the actual lobby of the venue?!
So according to the wiki page, take it for what it's worth, it looks like the Dome part of the venue is the smaller of the two rooms in the building. The one with 1,649 people capacity.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Oakdale_Theatre
Yeah, the dome is basically the main lobby for the Oakdale Theatre. Stadler showed this to Vmadera and I when we saw DT there earlier this year. The dome was the original venue before they built the theater part. I am a bit surprised this show would be there and not the theater though unless the band specifically wanted a GA crowd?
The capacity of the dome is basically what they would normally play up to anyway in a stateside show. 1,600 people seems right for them. Also, Connecticut is not really a major area for them in the Northeast unlike the usual obvious spots (NYC, Jersey, Boston, Philly, etc.).
Funny story about that dome. I was taking guitar lessons when I was living in CT for undergrad, and I told my teacher that I was going to see DT at the Oakdale (8VM tour). He told me to pay attention to the lobby. I went to the show, and then told him I noted the lobby when I had my lesson the next week. He was like "Yeah, that used to be the whole venue and I saw Zeppelin there"... so jealous :lol
Funny story about that dome. I was taking guitar lessons when I was living in CT for undergrad, and I told my teacher that I was going to see DT at the Oakdale (8VM tour). He told me to pay attention to the lobby. I went to the show, and then told him I noted the lobby when I had my lesson the next week. He was like "Yeah, that used to be the whole venue and I saw Zeppelin there"... so jealous :lol
Some of those places are not big places. The Paramount was where I saw Slash and Myles two tours ago (I was in front and exchanged nice words with Myles) and the Dome at Wallingford is not the main theater where DT has played the last 28 tours. Interesting.Is that the area you pointed out at the DT show? right outside the seating area?
Sorry to jump in, but I was just about to ask where this venue was. Is the 'Dome' the actual lobby of the venue?!
Yeah, that's why I asked. It sounds like it could be a cool setting honestly so I might go to this show.Some of those places are not big places. The Paramount was where I saw Slash and Myles two tours ago (I was in front and exchanged nice words with Myles) and the Dome at Wallingford is not the main theater where DT has played the last 28 tours. Interesting.Is that the area you pointed out at the DT show? right outside the seating area?
Sorry to jump in, but I was just about to ask where this venue was. Is the 'Dome' the actual lobby of the venue?!
So according to the wiki page, take it for what it's worth, it looks like the Dome part of the venue is the smaller of the two rooms in the building. The one with 1,649 people capacity.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Oakdale_Theatre
Yeah, the dome is basically the main lobby for the Oakdale Theatre. Stadler showed this to Vmadera and I when we saw DT there earlier this year. The dome was the original venue before they built the theater part. I am a bit surprised this show would be there and not the theater though unless the band specifically wanted a GA crowd?
Funny story about that dome. I was taking guitar lessons when I was living in CT for undergrad, and I told my teacher that I was going to see DT at the Oakdale (8VM tour). He told me to pay attention to the lobby. I went to the show, and then told him I noted the lobby when I had my lesson the next week. He was like "Yeah, that used to be the whole venue and I saw Zeppelin there"... so jealous :lol
Wait, is this list based off of our favorite songs from the albums or something where if we were to introduce someone to these albums, which songs would showcase the band well? I may have two different lists.
Wait, is this list based off of our favorite songs from the albums or something where if we were to introduce someone to these albums, which songs would showcase the band well? I may have two different lists.
Your personal favorites. Limited to a minimum of two and a max of four, per studio album.
I was going to ask for an introductory list myself, I've only heard some of their hits/singles and would like to check out more. Following.
I also find it funny that their last two albums lined up with the names of the last two Star Wars films. Last Hero for Last Jedi and Walk the Sky for Rise of Skywalker
That QR, DT, FW tour was a dream bill for me. One of my favorite shows ever.
I just hope this album brings back my love for AB. The last two albums have just not clicked for me. Just feel they play it safe with the same producer and same engineering team.
I loved Last Hero but didn't take to Walk the Sky at all.
‘Sin After Sin’ has been posted. I think it’s a really cool song, that main riff kicks a lot of ass!
https://youtu.be/0zMMAQVWeag
I'm going to visit a friend and on one of the nights we're going to see AB/Mammoth/Red on the first leg. So this will make FIVE shows on this tour.
Sin After Sin is a fantastic song. Literally had goosebumps while spinning it. I was on the fence about buying the album but not now. That one song is worth the purchase price.
Since I'm going through the, "Not listening to anything from Pawns & Kings until the album listening party on 09/30," phase, I'm doing a deep dive into their catalog like I do the month before an AB album is out. Today, I'm listening to this fan video of a concert in London at the Astoria from 2005 (which, to them, is now a small venue in comparison to the O2 Arena that they play in London now). Obviously, they look more raw (as a band, not them as musicians) and more post-grunge and only had one album to work with (and a couple of classic rock covers like Baba O' Riley, Rock and Roll, and Crazy Train) and Myles looks extremely awkward without a guitar, but damn, it's such an interesting time capsule and the performance is still solid.
Alter Bridge - Astoria 2005 [Marzo/March] (Full Concert) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuxBJqI8oLU)
Sin After Sin is a fantastic song. Literally had goosebumps while spinning it. I was on the fence about buying the album but not now. That one song is worth the purchase price.
I don't know if someone said it before and since Samsara sees some similarities between AB and Queensryche (personally I don't hear almost none), I think Sin After Sin sounds a lot like a heavier and more modern version of Promised Land song, it has that vibe - very interesting. Anyway, very excited for the new album, I love their work from Blackbird on, so I'm very confident it will be another great album.
I don't know if someone said it before and since Samsara sees some similarities between AB and Queensryche (personally I don't hear almost none), I think Sin After Sin sounds a lot like a heavier and more modern version of Promised Land song, it has that vibe - very interesting. Anyway, very excited for the new album, I love their work from Blackbird on, so I'm very confident it will be another great album.
Listen to the solo in Fortress. Then go listen to the solo in Queensryche's "Screaming in Digital." You'll hear it then. :lol
There are other spots throughout the catalog that have similar...echoes of Queensryche. I asked Mark about it, and he said that he's heard that from some others (the solo comparison of Fortress and Screaming in Digital), but admits he didn't really follow Queensryche when he was learning guitar. He did say, however, that Myles is a fan of the classic era, and Myles himself has spoken about how much he loved Operation: Mindcrime.
So, I don't necessarily think Queensryche is a huge influence on purpose. But there are instances in their discography that stylistically remind me of them. The way the two of them approach leads...Myles is the DeGarmo, while Tremonti is the Wilton...that's really where I first noticed it. But there's more. It's probably on accident, but I find both bands (well, QR back in the original era) to have similarities.
Hmmm tbh reading this discussion and the comments regards heavier more intense etc has me less excited for the new AB. Still keen but dunno...
For example while The Uninvited is one of my fave AB songs, generally speaking I find the heavier AB go the less appealing they are. I love those first records and yearn for the less is more approach over the heavier riffing and whatnot. To use their last record as another example, when I listen to new Alter Bridge it's material like Native Son and Godspeed that generally appeal more and find too much of the record gets lost in their need to be heavier for the sake of heavy or something?
Weird I know because for most other bands it's the other way around fer me but is what it is I guess :-\
Anyway...
I think, at times, we really understate how Myles wants to go heavy as well. Other than AB, he doesn't have a platform to showcase that. In a song that he did with Mark Morton of Lamb of God, Save Defiance, it felt like an AB song, just without certain characteristics that can put it on par with the best of the catalog.
I think, at times, we really understate how Myles wants to go heavy as well. Other than AB, he doesn't have a platform to showcase that. In a song that he did with Mark Morton of Lamb of God, Save Defiance, it felt like an AB song, just without certain characteristics that can put it on par with the best of the catalog.
I’m down here now - Cape Coral, 2 ½ hours south west of Orlando and this storm is no joke. I rebooked on an earlier flight tomorrow at noon, and this from a guy that once sat at ACMe Oyster house with two of the bartenders and ate oysters and drank beer as Rita bore down in New Orleans and opted to drive back to Atlanta.
My brother is a cop and he got called in for tomorrow for emergency response. He expects to work almost straight through to Friday.
Alter Bridge has released "This is War" from its upcoming record, Pawns & Kings.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oOho_iu4Hs
Heavy as hell, with a lot of dramatics. Love it. :metal
Edit: I just listened to all the released tracks, and I'm pretty confident this will be my favorite record from them. The power, the guitar ear candy, the moodiness...its all there. I'm pumped for next Friday. I'm not listening to the new stuff at all after this until the 14th. Family tradition to listen to the record in-full, together.
I hope you guys don't mind me plugging the AB Nation Forum since that's where I'm putting my long long long trip report posts of my trip in Orlando for the Listening Party. I'm at three parts already, but I'm at the point where I gave my best song by song review of the album and I decided to get that part out there before the album release. My thoughts about the trip is really incoherent and extensive than I thought it would be, but those are my unfiltered thoughts about the trip so far.
Part I (http://thealterbridgenation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=225671#p225671)
Part II (http://thealterbridgenation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=225800#p225800)
Part III (http://thealterbridgenation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=225804#p225804)
I hope you guys don't mind me plugging the AB Nation Forum since that's where I'm putting my long long long trip report posts of my trip in Orlando for the Listening Party. I'm at three parts already, but I'm at the point where I gave my best song by song review of the album and I decided to get that part out there before the album release. My thoughts about the trip is really incoherent and extensive than I thought it would be, but those are my unfiltered thoughts about the trip so far.
Part I (http://thealterbridgenation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=225671#p225671)
Part II (http://thealterbridgenation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=225800#p225800)
Part III (http://thealterbridgenation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=225804#p225804)
Here's to AB day tomorrow. Can't wait to hear the record in its entirety. :metal
Here's to AB day tomorrow. Can't wait to hear the record in its entirety. :metal
HELL YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :metal :metal :metal :metal :metal :metal
I'm in the middle of "Fable of the Silent Son." So far, WOW. I didn't care for Holiday all that much, with Myles going into his "Slash voice" as I call it. But the rest so far... :metal
Oh my God, old school fucking trade-off guitar solo badassery in FABLE. WOW!!!!!! Fuck yeah, you shred!
On my second listen, Seasons of Promise and Last Man Standing really stood out. :metal
I'll write something more formal next week after it sinks in. But I am very, very happy with it so far.
I did hear that AB is doing another U.S. leg in one of the reviews/interviews released this week. So I'm hoping they actually play my market so I can notch a sixth show on this upcoming tour.
Is there only one version - musically - of the album? Meaning, there's no deluxe with additional songs or anything like that?
This is War and Dead Among the Living are a great one two punch to start the album off. I like both of those a lot. Fable of the Silent Son and Last Man Standing are great as well. Definitely the best AB album in a while.
Really loving this album after a few listens! Fable is the clear standout, it is sensational! I’m all for AB writing more longer epics like this if they continue to be the same quality.
Blind-bought Pawns & Kings and now I’m a fan of the band. :tup
This is their best since fortress imo. Weakest track for me is Last Man Standing. Blackbird and Fortress are my top two. Time will tell where this lands long-term.Agreed about it being their best since Fortress.
Okay, so some detailed thoughts on Pawns & Kings:
I believe this to be one of Alter Bridge's best records overall. Out of the seven albums the group has, it's probably a little short of Blackbird as the best, but it is in the ballpark for me with AB III and Fortress to be in the top-3. What lands it here is consistency. Of the 10 tracks on Pawns & Kings, I feel like it's 8 songs deep. Which percentage-wise is higher than Fortress for me (66.7 percent), AB III (71.4 percent). Obviously all this shifts depending on the day, so it's not an exact science. But in a nutshell, Pawns & Kings is a deep record with tons of quality.
The best:
The three tracks that resonated most this weekend were pretty clear from the get-go: "Sin After Sin," "Fable of a Silent Son" and "Pawns & Kings." I love tunes that have an epic vibe to them, and P&K has them in spades. These three really stood out. Great riffs, great mood and emotion, and such killer guitar work. I could gush on these three for pages, so I'll keep it brief - it's the little nuances in them that caught my ear. Tremonti coming in to exchange the chorus with Kennedy at the end of "Sin After Sin," the small djent guitar part leading into the solo of "Fable of a Silent Son," (not to mention the killer trade-off guitar solo), the timeless message in the title track. All three are classic AB, and have unique elements that just draw me in.
The very good tracks:
What I really like is that after that top-3, the drop-off is slight. I LOVE This is War, Dead Among the Living, and Silver Tongue. These tracks just flat out rip and will be great live if AB chooses to play them. Last Man Standing is right here too, but isn't a ripper. Moody, with cool guitar work. Melody-wise, it reminds me of something off Walk the Sky, but I can't place it. Nice attitude-filled guitar solo by Myles with lots of bends and a nice closing solo by Tremonti.
The good tracks:
Season of Promise. I felt like this track was just short of the ones I mentioned above. Not because it isn't good, or is filler - it isn't. I get a bit of a Walk the Sky vibe from Season of Promise, combined with a bit of Mayfield Four in spots. I like it. Just not as much as the ones above.
The almost good/fair tracks:
Stay. Stay is frustrating. It is a really good pop rock track that is trying to be a bit of "My Champion" from The Last Hero. The problem is, I am not feeling Mark on the lead vocals. The best part of the song is where Myles comes in to do harmony, and then his lead passages in the bridge part. My wife says this, and I'll agree and say it too: When you have Myles Kennedy in your band, let him sing lead. Trade off vocals are fine, but let Myles do his thing.
That's not a diss on Tremonti. I love his solo band, and I do enjoy his vocals in Alter Bridge where he goes back and forth with Kennedy. I have a lot of respect for Tremonti's growth as a vocalist. But his voice isn't the right one for the lead vocal on "Stay." Had Kennedy been the lead vocalist on this one, I think it would moved up to the "very good" list. Still, "Stay" is a solid pop song obviously aimed at radio (even though they've never released it).
The filler:
Just one. Holiday. I don't "HATE" it, but I'm not overly fond of it either. Myles is using a bit of his solo project voice combined with some of the attitude he uses in Slash. And while that is fine, it just doesn't sit well for me as a listener with this track. Which sucks. Musically, I like it, but the lead vocal just doesn't hit me in the style he does it. Tremonti remarked that everyone in the band felt the heaviness (of mood) in the record up to that point needed a song like "Holiday" to break it up. I don't necessarily agree. Or maybe they should have done something else. Don't hate it, but really don't feel like it belongs.
Overall:
I give this record an 9/10. It's not perfect. Even Blackbird for me, their best record, isn't a 10/10, it's a 9.5. So P&K clearly is one of the top tier records in AB's catalog for me. It really only has 1.5 songs that I'd consider less than "good." Today, I'd personally call it the band's second best album. But I'll need to live with it longer. I like tracks on AB III and Fortress better than the top tracks on P&K, but like I said above, the consistency of stuff on P&K is just at a higher level which bumps it ahead of those records. Anyway, I am a happy hardcore AB fan, and have at least three tracks I'd put on a personal AB "greatest hits" package from this release.
Pretty excited to see them at least five times next year, with a possibility of a sixth when they announce their second U.S. leg that Tremonti hinted about in later 2023.
Okay, so some detailed thoughts on Pawns & Kings:
Okay, so some detailed thoughts on Pawns & Kings:
I believe this to be one of Alter Bridge's best records overall. it is in the ballpark for me with AB III and Fortress to be in the top-3. What lands it here is consistency.
The best:
The three tracks that resonated most this weekend were pretty clear from the get-go: "Sin After Sin," "Fable of a Silent Son" and "Pawns & Kings." I love tunes that have an epic vibe to them, and P&K has them in spades. These three really stood out. Great riffs, great mood and emotion, and such killer guitar work. I could gush on these three for pages, so I'll keep it brief - it's the little nuances in them that caught my ear. Tremonti coming in to exchange the chorus with Kennedy at the end of "Sin After Sin," the small djent guitar part leading into the solo of "Fable of a Silent Son," (not to mention the killer trade-off guitar solo), the timeless message in the title track. All three are classic AB, and have unique elements that just draw me in.
The very good tracks:
What I really like is that after that top-3, the drop-off is slight. I LOVE This is War, Dead Among the Living, and Silver Tongue. Last Man Standing is right here too, but isn't a ripper.
The good tracks:
Season of Promise. I felt like this track was just short of the ones I mentioned I get a bit of a Walk the Sky vibe from Season of Promise, combined with a bit of Mayfield Four in spots.
The almost good/fair tracks:
Stay. It is a really good pop rock track that is trying to be a bit of "My Champion" from The Last Hero. The problem is, I am not feeling Mark on the lead vocals. The best part of the song is where Myles comes in to do harmony, and then his lead passages in the bridge part. My wife says this, and I'll agree and say it too: When you have Myles Kennedy in your band, let him sing lead. Trade off vocals are fine, but let Myles do his thing.
Had Kennedy been the lead vocalist on this one, I think it would moved up to the "very good" list. Still, "Stay" is a solid pop song obviously aimed at radio (even though they've never released it).
The filler:
Holiday. I don't "HATE" it, but I'm not overly fond of it either. Myles is using a bit of his solo project voice combined with some of the attitude he uses in Slash. Musically, I like it, but the lead vocal just doesn't hit me in the style he does it. Tremonti remarked that everyone in the band felt the heaviness (of mood) in the record up to that point needed a song like "Holiday" to break it up.
Overall:
I give this record an 9/10. It's not perfect. Even Blackbird for me, their best record, isn't a 10/10, it's a 9.5.
I really like the new album, it might be my 3rd favorite AB record (damn close to number 2).
Currently I'd rank it behind One Day Remains and Blackbird. I feel like those to albums will be hard to beat because there is so much nostlaigia intertwined with them.I'd put Fortress in front of it as well, but I agree the nostalgia will make it hard to ever beat those two albums. Plus a younger Myles' voice really soared in a way on ODR that he simply is no longer capable of doing.
Plus a younger Myles' voice really soared in a way on ODR that he simply is no longer capable of doing.
Once they cemented AB as a two guitar band, there was less space in the music to sing in the style he employed on ODR. But IMO, he can absolutely still DO IT if the material calls for it.
Listen to that section where he does the more atmospheric lead vocal section in "Stay" - that voice is there. There just isn't a lot of opportunity to use it.
Plus a younger Myles' voice really soared in a way on ODR that he simply is no longer capable of doing.
I very much DISAGREE with this bolded part. There was a...big of a Creed leftover vibe on ODR that allowed a lot of space for Myles to emote and sing stuff a bit differently than he did from Blackbird to Pawns & Kings. After personally witnessing the guy hit and hold the note in "Words Darker Than Their Wings" in Spokane, and then watching how he shifts gears and sings the lower stuff with so much depth and nuance, I strongly feel that Myles is a better singer in 2022 than he was in 2003/2004 when ODR was recorded. I think it's a function of the style of material found on that record in comparison to now. Once they cemented AB as a two guitar band, there was less space in the music to sing in the style he employed on ODR. But IMO, he can absolutely still DO IT if the material calls for it.
Listen to that section where he does the more atmospheric lead vocal section in "Stay" - that voice is there. There just isn't a lot of opportunity to use it.
I think the Creed leftover vibe on ODR is what makes me like that album so much. I really like Creed but when ODR came out it had all the elements that were missing in Creed for me, namely the guitar solos and the heavier, crunchier riffs.
Maybe it's not that he can't anymore, but he certainly doesn't seem to do it nearly as much in recent albums.Plus a younger Myles' voice really soared in a way on ODR that he simply is no longer capable of doing.
I very much DISAGREE with this bolded part. There was a...big of a Creed leftover vibe on ODR that allowed a lot of space for Myles to emote and sing stuff a bit differently than he did from Blackbird to Pawns & Kings. After personally witnessing the guy hit and hold the note in "Words Darker Than Their Wings" in Spokane, and then watching how he shifts gears and sings the lower stuff with so much depth and nuance, I strongly feel that Myles is a better singer in 2022 than he was in 2003/2004 when ODR was recorded. I think it's a function of the style of material found on that record in comparison to now. Once they cemented AB as a two guitar band, there was less space in the music to sing in the style he employed on ODR. But IMO, he can absolutely still DO IT if the material calls for it.
Listen to that section where he does the more atmospheric lead vocal section in "Stay" - that voice is there. There just isn't a lot of opportunity to use it.
Once they cemented AB as a two guitar band, there was less space in the music to sing in the style he employed on ODR. But IMO, he can absolutely still DO IT if the material calls for it.
Listen to that section where he does the more atmospheric lead vocal section in "Stay" - that voice is there. There just isn't a lot of opportunity to use it.
Can I jump in to say yeah I hear that too no argument, but I guess my wish is for there to actually be more opportunity and more material which calls for it!?
I'm in the minority in that think these guys are actually better when dial back the heavies and give more space for Myles (if that makes sense?). Probably why was disappointed Myles didn't take the lead for 'Stay' as it was exactly what I wanted to hear from him after the albums opening tracks (respectfully of course, Tremonti is fantastic too)...
That said, picked this one up based on all the recommendations here in this thread and am warming to quite a lot of it ;)
Maybe it's not that he can't anymore, but he certainly doesn't seem to do it nearly as much in recent albums.
I've never really given this band much of a chance, but I listened to the new album with a friend the other day. I really dig it, and have listened to it a few times now. Definitely will dive in to their other albums over the next couple of weeks.
I haven't heard the Slash albums with Myles but do they use an outside producer?
So, "Stay" has grown on me quite a bit. It's still not in the top tiers, but it really resonated. The only song I still don't feel is "Holiday," and it's just because of the way Myles sings that tune. I get they wanted something different, but it just doesn't do it for me.Can someone please enlighten me about how different he sings on Holiday? I can’t tell any difference.
New album is fantastic. I think they definitely have a clear top 3 now, with this one joining Fortress and Blackbird.Indeed! I think my updated ranking goes:
So, "Stay" has grown on me quite a bit. It's still not in the top tiers, but it really resonated. The only song I still don't feel is "Holiday," and it's just because of the way Myles sings that tune. I get they wanted something different, but it just doesn't do it for me.Can someone please enlighten me about how different he sings on Holiday? I can’t tell any difference.
So, "Stay" has grown on me quite a bit. It's still not in the top tiers, but it really resonated. The only song I still don't feel is "Holiday," and it's just because of the way Myles sings that tune. I get they wanted something different, but it just doesn't do it for me.Can someone please enlighten me about how different he sings on Holiday? I can’t tell any difference.
The outlier record is ODR. It's a one-guitar band and that's how the record was written. They really didn't become who they are with Myles until Blackbird.I'd love to see them rework ODR to add the depth of Myles on guitar. I absolutely adore ODR. I listen to it regularly still. But I completely understand your point about AB not becoming who they are today until Blackbird.
First night of the tour tonight. Excited to see the setlist!
I'd love to see them rework ODR to add the depth of Myles on guitar. I absolutely adore ODR. I listen to it regularly still. But I completely understand your point about AB not becoming who they are today until Blackbird.
I'm a bit disappointed because someone updated setlist yesterday and it was half wrong so they're not playing one of my favorite (more obscure) songs after all :D but other than that I'm pretty satisfied.
Tiny font for spoilers - Down to my lastI'm a bit disappointed because someone updated setlist yesterday and it was half wrong so they're not playing one of my favorite (more obscure) songs after all :D but other than that I'm pretty satisfied.
They will likely rotate a few songs, so I'd keep checking. What song were you hoping for?
Personally, I'm hoping they bring back out Show Me a Sign. I was fortunate enough to see it San Fran on the AB III tour. But apparently that was just one of a couple times they ever did it live. I'm also hoping to see Cradle to the Grave at some point.
LOVE the band.....HATE their setlists! Way too lazy year after year! :tdwnI can agree with this. They need to make it more exciting, and definitely add a couple more tracks from the new album!
That's something I will say that Slash as a solo act has over AB. If Slash on any given day on tour say, "Why don't we try this song for tonight?" Myles will rise to the occasion and nail it. I wish he has more faith in himself when it comes to the AB deep cut songs that he had huge parts in writing and that we love.
Myles will rise to the occasion and do it. He also doesn’t have to worry about “oh, I need to hit this riff this way and sing this note like this while I do that with my pedals”. A lot of the AB songs are two songs the entire way through, but Myles will often drop out and just sing. It’s a very different thing to just go all in on an AB song, since 95% of them are way more technical. Slash, he just has to sing it.
Open Your Eyes was the band's first single ever, sure. But it's almost 20 years old, and honestly, it sounds like Creed, not Alter Bridge. In fact, I'm pretty sure that was a Creed track that Mark had lined up for them before they broke up.
This is going to sound like a crazy comparison but Creed, at the time, to me was like Limp Bizkit. A great band that was limited by the vocalist. Both bands had killer guitar players and a solid rhythm section. Hell Stapp wasn't even that bad to start but he got worse over time and I think the same can largely be said about Fred Durst.
As much as my personal bias of not wanting Creed around, some of those songs in AB and the Tremonti solo band had those kinds of "sensibilities," were solid songs for me. Life Must Go On had an intro that reminded me of the intro to My Sacrifice. Last Man Standing's intro had something that did resemble something from the late 90s period. For the Tremonti solo band, you got songs like The Things I've Seen and Fall Again and Unable to See.
This is going to sound like a crazy comparison but Creed, at the time, to me was like Limp Bizkit. A great band that was limited by the vocalist. Both bands had killer guitar players and a solid rhythm section. Hell Stapp wasn't even that bad to start but he got worse over time and I think the same can largely be said about Fred Durst.
I actually really like Scott Stapp, even if the later albums were more miss than hit. But he had a really great way of writing melodies, a good sense of diversity to his sensibilities, and I feel like AB has become a bit....samey in the vocal department. Obviously Myles is an better vocalist and singer, but I miss the diversity in the vocals. Not necessarily in approach or range, since Stapp had a very limited range, but he seemed creatively able to try new types of rhythms and melodies, which, given that Tremonti was writing almost the same type of chorus to every song, couldn't have been easy.
I've been wanting to check this band out for a whil, and have only listened to a couple songs (one being the title track of their latest, and the other an older ballad of which I don't remember the title, but was one of the first search results on youtube), and really liked what I heard so far.
So, where should I start? Albums in chronological order? Start with their latest? Something else? Should I start with Creed first? Too many options :lol
Thanks for the input! Will try to start the journey later today or maybe early tomorrow on my way to work :tup
Will have to check Creed at some point too, but judging from my lurking around this thread the last few days, they aren't that similar, besides being the same band with a different singer (this is my oversimplified way of saying it, I don't really know their backstory).
Uh, no, Stads.
Myles Kennedy is by far and away a completely different singer than Scott Stapp. The obvious - Kennedy is a tenor, Stapp is a baritone. But in terms of dynamics, songwriting, melody choice, etc., they are drastically different.
And AB as a band, from Blackbird until present, are way, WAY more dynamic than Creed EVER was. And this is coming from a diehard fan of AB and a fan of Creed.
YES! We disagreed on something again. I was getting worried! :lol
Is there REALLY a ton of difference, say, between Rise Today and What If? .
I’d maybe say more like Open Your Eyes and My Sacrifice for a better comparison. With the Weathered album, they are sewing the seeds of the fruit One Day Remains would reap.
I’d maybe say more like Open Your Eyes and My Sacrifice for a better comparison. With the Weathered album, they are sewing the seeds of the fruit One Day Remains would reap.
Exactly this.
Stads - I know the comparisons seem, on the surface, easy to draw, but if you listen a little deeper, toss aside One Day Remains and compare Blackbird to anything Creed ever did, you'll see they are drastically different bands. Remember, Blackbird was the first record AB wrote fully together using Myles' ability to play guitar (and write music). Myles only did the lyrics and melodies for like half of One Day Remains. Mark did the rest.
So any comparison of AB to Creed has to really start with Blackbird. And if you compare say Blackbird to Human Clay (the best albums of the respective bands), they are dramatically different. Both GREAT records, but Blackbird is seriously way more dynamic.
I agree with Stadler on this one.
I agree with Stadler on this one.
I'm listening to Human Clay as I type this. (Love this record.) The atmosphere and mood are similar to what AB does in spots for sure. I hear what Stads hears. But think about this:
If you put Stapp fronting AB, and took out a guitar, what happens to AB? It becomes a plodding, less interesting (both musically and vocally) band. They are two completely different beasts. AB themselves have been saying that to deaf ears for years. They aren't Creed - not by a long shot. It just so happens that the band played in Creed. But they played very differently back then. Particularly Flip (the drummer) and Mark, who has grown tremendously as a player and writer.
Anyway, I'm not going to continue this back and forth. If folks really think there isn't much difference, then that's what you think. To my ear, they are VASTLY different entities. And I enjoy both. :) But AB WAY more.
So last night I saw Alter Bridge for concert #800 (8th time seeing AB since 2005). As always, the band delivered on all cylinders with another fantastic performance. That's where the good news ends. While I truly LOVE EVERY SONG (BUT 1....One Life, 99/100 ain't bad) that this incredible band have released, I am now FURIOUS with once again, playing the same 10-12 songs other than the new ones. WHY? :censored :censored :censored :censored
As good as they are, they refuse to "open up the playbook" :censored :censored :censored It makes me (and the 5 people I was with last night, SO PISSED OFF! And another thing. While I love Myles Kennedy, he probably doesn't even need a shower after the show. He doesn't even break a sweat! I have NEVER loved a band SO MUCH and at the same time, been let down with the setlists.
INFURIATING!!!!!!!!!!!!! :censored :censored :censored :censored
My ideal set would look a lot different than yours, but still good.
In no order, here are the songs I'd really like to see them put into the rotation
Shed My Skin (this was actually in the last several shows on the European leg of this tour, but not yet in the U.S.)
The End is Here (make it more regular)
Wayward One
New Way to Live
Lover
Cradle to the Grave
Walk the Sky
Fable of the Silent Son
There are a few others, but they randomly play those, or have in recent years. But I'd happily live without Metalingus, Rise Today, Open Your Eyes, etc., for the next decade if these could get in the mix.
Greensboro is closer, but Myrtle Beach is more fun. Maybe I finally get to see them live?
While they remain one of my absolute favorite recording bands, my days of seeing them live are done if something doesn't change set wise. Lazy, boring, mundane and thoroughly frustrated with their setlists! :censored :censored :censored :censored
Hopefully, they'll start celebrating full albums soon.
Brian, I mean this in the nicest possible way, so please don't take it as a shot. I have the same concerns about several bands, actually, so I do get and (largely) agree with your general point.
But is the traveling contingent big with that band? I know a couple of you make it a point to see several shows. Is that something the band counts on?
:tup
I tweeted Mark' brother Mike today and asked if a 2024 'One Day Remains' 20th anniversary tour (with 5 or 6 deep cuts also played) could be a possibility and he replied "Anything's possible". Not much to take out of that but he knows "I'm watching"! :rollin :lol :corn
Sounds like a great trip!
But AB sounds like it is likely done touring for P&K after this swing.
I guess up next would be Tremonti and Slash in full swing. I mean, it's a very short touring cycle for Pawns and Kings. Kind of surprised by that. There's probably another European run for AB after the US leg.
I guess up next would be Tremonti and Slash in full swing. I mean, it's a very short touring cycle for Pawns and Kings. Kind of surprised by that. There's probably another European run for AB after the US leg.
Yeah, I should have put "the U.S." after "touring." I also expect another European run. Then again, they did tour Europe and they are doing festivals this summer there. So perhaps it IS done.
I haven't counted, but I think the totality of the support dates for P&K (the ones announced through August) are pretty good for a support tour. I'd have to look at it all and actually compare, but they've been out continually for a bit. But here's hoping friends across the pond get another go.
As for what's next, Tremonti for sure. And Myles Kennedy's third solo record. Not sure on Slash. With GnR reactivated and new music coming, I hope not. To be honest, I didn't really care for the last Slash feat. Myles Kennedy album. I think creatively, that well is dry. I'd like Myles to focus on his next solo album, and maybe Slash can go get another singer and do a record with that person. Try some new blood. Maybe a woman this time?
I don't know about the well being dry (not arguing; I really don't know) but I do know that I prefer the Myles/Slash thing to either of their other gigs, and even I didn't care for the last one much. Felt dashed off. I too would dig a Slash record with a female singer, specifically Fergie. I love what she did on Beautiful Dangerous. I'd be all over an album like that.
Adding the 8/12 Foxwoods show to my list, Incubus is the next day at Mohegan Sun will be an awesome weekend of shows! this will be my first time catching AB live, I'm really looking forward to it
In actual AB-related thoughts, I'm planning on going to the show in Grand Rapids as people may have read here. Going to go to Grand Rapids on a Friday, take a train to Chicago the next day, and go watch a live show of a comedy podcast I listen to on the regular.
Mark Tremonti's socials show some spoilers for the next leg . . . I'm PSYCHED to see this tune live, it's become a top 5 AB song for me - cannot wait for the show in August!!
edit - purposely didn't name the song in case anyone is avoiding spoilers.
For fuck's sake, of course they wait until the last leg of the fucking tour to play this, which is probably the tune off the record most folks have wanted to here. :censored
I was contemplating taking the fam to one last show on this tour (we've gone to four), but none of the dates work. School, work commitments, etc. They are nowhere near us, so we'd need to travel - and would, for this particular song. But none of the shows work for us.
Edit - fuck it. I figured one gig out. Even if they don't play that song in question (I really hope they do, and it's a permanent resident in the setlist for this leg) the fact that Sevendust is on the bill makes it worth it for us.
This will make FIVE times seeing AB and Mammoth on this tour. I seriously hope the setlists for both get an overhaul. Fingers crossed.
I had no idea Mark Tremonti did Sinatra songs until it showed up last week on Blabbermouth. We watched the clip, which was from a venue very local to us, and my wife was mad that we never heard about it. We would have gone to see that - she loves Mark and Sinatra. He sounds amazing doing that stuff too!
Hey, any Alter Bridge fans from Texas here? I have three tickets to the Sunday, 8/20 show at the Boeing Center at Tech Port. Turns out we can't go. The tickets are through etix, so I'd have to forward you the email. Looking to just get rid of all three tickets (cost me $285) and happy to part with them to someone here at DTF for $200 total.
PM me if interested.
Seeing them at Foxwoods in Conn, on Saturday. It's in a casino. Can't wait.
Seeing them at Foxwoods in Conn, on Saturday. It's in a casino. Can't wait.
Seeing them at Foxwoods in Conn, on Saturday. It's in a casino. Can't wait.
Also looking forward to the show at Foxwoods! We decided to splurge and stay over, was just saying how nice it will be to just head up the elevator after the show to crash vs. driving an hour home. We're seeing Incubus at Mohegan Sun the next night so will be easier to just hang out in the area vs. all the driving.
Seeing them at Foxwoods in Conn, on Saturday. It's in a casino. Can't wait.
Also looking forward to the show at Foxwoods! We decided to splurge and stay over, was just saying how nice it will be to just head up the elevator after the show to crash vs. driving an hour home. We're seeing Incubus at Mohegan Sun the next night so will be easier to just hang out in the area vs. all the driving.
Nice, just saw Incubus last night
Seeing them at Foxwoods in Conn, on Saturday. It's in a casino. Can't wait.
Also looking forward to the show at Foxwoods! We decided to splurge and stay over, was just saying how nice it will be to just head up the elevator after the show to crash vs. driving an hour home. We're seeing Incubus at Mohegan Sun the next night so will be easier to just hang out in the area vs. all the driving.
Nice, just saw Incubus last night
Haven't heard the best things about Brandon's vocals these days. What did you think? Time to go down the cramx3 youtube rabbit hole . . . .
Man, I was the in 18 or 19 and he sounded good. Us this recent?
Seeing them at Foxwoods in Conn, on Saturday. It's in a casino. Can't wait.
Also looking forward to the show at Foxwoods! We decided to splurge and stay over, was just saying how nice it will be to just head up the elevator after the show to crash vs. driving an hour home. We're seeing Incubus at Mohegan Sun the next night so will be easier to just hang out in the area vs. all the driving.
Nice, just saw Incubus last night
Haven't heard the best things about Brandon's vocals these days. What did you think? Time to go down the cramx3 youtube rabbit hole . . . .
I only recorded one song, Echo, from last night and he's not great on it :lol (I have to edit the rest of my clips later tonight) Brandon's vocals have been poor for awhile, nothing new. He's really not a huge issue for me though. Kind of like the JLB thing. I'd rather have the original singer with some issues than someone else. Generally though, the show was good. My bigger issue is them playing the same songs every tour. They haven't been making new music and they stay away from playing a lot of the newer stuff so it's all the same old "classics". It's getting a bit tiring for me at this point. Only two different songs from last year. The biggest draw for going last night was that they played outdoors at a venue they never played before (but it's only 30 minutes away from where they normally play, so it's definitely the same local area).
Seeing them at Foxwoods in Conn, on Saturday. It's in a casino. Can't wait.
Also looking forward to the show at Foxwoods! We decided to splurge and stay over, was just saying how nice it will be to just head up the elevator after the show to crash vs. driving an hour home. We're seeing Incubus at Mohegan Sun the next night so will be easier to just hang out in the area vs. all the driving.
Nice, just saw Incubus last night
Haven't heard the best things about Brandon's vocals these days. What did you think? Time to go down the cramx3 youtube rabbit hole . . . .
I only recorded one song, Echo, from last night and he's not great on it :lol (I have to edit the rest of my clips later tonight) Brandon's vocals have been poor for awhile, nothing new. He's really not a huge issue for me though. Kind of like the JLB thing. I'd rather have the original singer with some issues than someone else. Generally though, the show was good. My bigger issue is them playing the same songs every tour. They haven't been making new music and they stay away from playing a lot of the newer stuff so it's all the same old "classics". It's getting a bit tiring for me at this point. Only two different songs from last year. The biggest draw for going last night was that they played outdoors at a venue they never played before (but it's only 30 minutes away from where they normally play, so it's definitely the same local area).
I caved. I got the VIP upgrade for the Grand Rapids show. I figured after they played Fable of the Silent Son four shows in a row, it should be here to stay for the rest of the tour. Might as well be in a rail spot for that for what could be the final AB show I may see in two or so years before everyone goes off and does other things.
Glad you had a great time. I agree on Mammoth. I've seen them four times now (only missing my 5th because they have a headline show in town the same day as Extreme/Living Colour) and I was very impressed. I also love the second Mammoth record. Huge step forward from the first album.
I very much am with you on that annoying wall of sound to start some of the heavier tunes. I get it, those are "METALLLLLLLLL" moments, but I still feel strongly that there should be clarity. I love AB, they are my favorite band for the last 16 years and counting. But they have some real issues both in the studio (they need a different producer/engineer/mixer, IMO) and live (that wall of sound, and the stale setlist). At least for me. For someone like yourself who has now seen them just once, I am sure the set is fine -- and in the moment, I always enjoy whatever they play live. But they really need to show more variety. I disagree with Anguyen a bit (well, not disagree, but I would argue) that three new songs in a set from bands is the norm. It shouldn't be. Concerts also shouldn't have 90 minutes or less from the headliners. Headliners should be playing closer to two hours. But times have changed, unfortunately.
Happy you loved the gig! Oh, and yeah, 7D rocks. The new record isn't my favorite, but they are still killer live.
I just wish Alter Bridge would get away from Elvis Baskette and Jef Moll in the studio. I know AB loves those two guys, and I am sure they are great. But all of AB's records sound the exact same since they came on board with Blackbird in 2007. It was cool for a couple of records, but now the sound is just - "okay, here is another typical sounding AB record." A good example is The Last Hero. When that record came out, for the longest time, I had a hard time listening. It was a wall of sound. There were some great songs, and I could pick them out. But everything was so washed out. I go back now, with fresh ears, and while it is still a wall of sound, after working at it, I hear all the little nuances that escape general listening...because the sound is just so in your face. I don't mind working at it to enjoy something. But it shouldn't be difficult.
There are hints AB's studio team is trying to be more dynamic. They used panning a bit on the guitars on Pawns & Kings, which was nice to hear. But they should use it more - try having Myles' vocals, depending on the line and what he is conveying, come from a different angle, etc. Separate the instruments better and give people more clarity. I'm not saying for an intense moment not to have that wall - yes, when they need to brutally crush you, go for it. But every instrument should not be up in your face the entire time.
I want to hear layers of acoustic guitar. I want layers of clean guitar. Build the guitar orchestra up organically. AB is the band of lost opportunity for me. I think they have the talent and the gumption to be a modern day Zeppelin, but they're not there.
@Samsara
What are your top 5 AB tracks?
As of right now for me, always ever changing based on mood or circumstances, here's my list.
Songs:
3. Last Man Standing
I'm kind of surprised to see One Day Remains ranked so low, it's my favorite AB by a wide, wide margin.It's up near the top as well. It's probably my most listened to AB album.
Genuinely curious what brings the album down to the bottom for you guys?
I'm not the guy to ask, I'm a casual AB fan, but it always seemed to me that it got short shrift for being the record written "before Myles", meaning, it was instrumentally developed when the three guys were still, technically, in Creed, so you don't have that instrumental interaction with Myles as there's none of his guitar playing on the album. It's also the only one not produced by "Elvis", too, right? My guesses only.This is pretty much my view on it. It has that ‘Creed hangover’ vibe to it for me. They really found their identity when Myles started writing with them. It’s still a solid album though.
I'm kind of surprised to see One Day Remains ranked so low, it's my favorite AB by a wide, wide margin.
Genuinely curious what brings the album down to the bottom for you guys?
I'm not the guy to ask, I'm a casual AB fan, but it always seemed to me that it got short shrift for being the record written "before Myles", meaning, it was instrumentally developed when the three guys were still, technically, in Creed, so you don't have that instrumental interaction with Myles as there's none of his guitar playing on the album. It's also the only one not produced by "Elvis", too, right? My guesses only.This is pretty much my view on it. It has that ‘Creed hangover’ vibe to it for me. They really found their identity when Myles started writing with them. It’s still a solid album though.
Samsara, I didn't quote you out of space considerations, but I love your post. And tell Mrs. Samsara, I'm with her on that! (Elvis)!
But here's a question: is that an Alter Bridge problem or a symptom of the industry now? I've LONG said that as much as I love Mike - and as much as it hasn't really affected my joy at listening to him drum - I really have problems with the "this is my PROG project, this is my METAL project, this is my POP project..." mentality. Wasn't the beauty of those 70's bands we love so much that they didn't have genres? That John Paul Jones was playing jazz, Robert was singing the blues, Jimmy was playing rockabilly, and John Bonham was drumming metal? FOR ME, the best parts of Dream Theater was the amalgamation of disparate influences like Rush, Maiden, Journey, etc. Now that they've sort of found their "formula" it's stale for me.
All the best bands, well, the prog bands anyway, were intersections of genres, not pure representations of any one genre. ELP was prog with classical intersection. Crimson was prog, with a jazzy intersection. Genesis was prog with a pop/Beatles intersection. Yes was prog with a 60's rock intersection.
it's not that I wish Myles and Mark would forsake their solo stuff, or stop working with Slash/Creed, but I'm with you: when they go in to a session, NO RULES. Don't throw it out because "this would be better in Creed" or "this would be better for my solo album". Famously, Phil Collins would bring ALL his stuff to Genesis and let THEM decide. We could very well have had "In The Air Tonight" on Duke!!!
That being said, when you hear the Myles' solo project, there are few songs that he had created where I would wish it was on an AB album (The Great Beyond is a good example of that). Meanwhile, there are plenty of songs that Mark has in his Tremonti solo band that I wish he brought in AB.
^^ On the other hand, I can't imagine the country/Americana vibes of Myles' songs like Sifting Through the Fire or Devil on the Wall or even something laid back like Worried Mind would ever work as AB songs and Myles feels like he needs a platform for that kind of side to him, musically, since he can go a lot of directions and do it well.
I know it isn't technically the right place for this, but did anyone else hear Scott Stapp's new single, Higher Power? Opinions will obviously vary on how good it is, but that song is a lot heavier than I would have expected.
I know it isn't technically the right place for this, but did anyone else hear Scott Stapp's new single, Higher Power? Opinions will obviously vary on how good it is, but that song is a lot heavier than I would have expected.
I know it isn't technically the right place for this, but did anyone else hear Scott Stapp's new single, Higher Power? Opinions will obviously vary on how good it is, but that song is a lot heavier than I would have expected.
Honorable Mentions goes to New Way to Live which didn't make the official album cut and was a bonus track. That and The Damage Done.
couple years ago i was on a plane, flying home after ending an six-year journey with my ex-wife. "blackbird" by alter bridge came on my phone, and i couldn't hold back the tears. that song hit home, you know? this teenager called me a goofy ass for it, but honestly, i couldn't care less. music's a healer. just had to let it out. :hefdaddy :metal
couple years ago i was on a plane, flying home after ending an six-year journey with my ex-wife. "blackbird" by alter bridge came on my phone, and i couldn't hold back the tears. that song hit home, you know? this teenager called me a goofy ass for it, but honestly, i couldn't care less. music's a healer. just had to let it out. :hefdaddy :metal
I totally get that. My mom died of cancer 13 years ago. While I can listen to "Blackbird" just fine, I cry like a baby every time I hear "In Loving Memory." Mark Tremonti wrote the lyrics to that for his mom, who passed of cancer. Some songs just hit home, and Alter Bridge has a number of them like that. Which to me, is the mark of a soulful, impactful band.
couple years ago i was on a plane, flying home after ending an six-year journey with my ex-wife. "blackbird" by alter bridge came on my phone, and i couldn't hold back the tears. that song hit home, you know? this teenager called me a goofy ass for it, but honestly, i couldn't care less. music's a healer. just had to let it out. :hefdaddy :metal
Well, they only got three shows in South America. Maybe, they got some more shows elsewhere to really wrap things up for the year? Who knows. The first time they were in South America back around 2017, they did two shows in Argentina, one show in Brazil co-headlining with The Cult, and then the Rock in Rio festival. This time around, they are doing three shows in what looks to be very sizable building, about on par with that they would do in their mainland Europe shows. One of them is Luna Park.....
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F4tpUxxX0AMbC7R?format=jpg&name=small)
That's the design that I bought a shirt of, but instead of Black and Red, it was in Black and White. Still looked awesome though.
I think AB would be very well served by Myles and Mark setting aside a couple months for songwriting and preproduction next time out. Just get in a room and write together and take chances. Then get a new production team. Do something DIFFERENT. Because while I love AB, and I love their songs, Mrs. Samsara is right - I always hear that masterpiece that they've yet to do. You hear brilliance in many of their epics. And in some of the more intense, straight forward metal/hard rock cuts (Isolation, Show Me a Leader, Ties That Bind, etc.). But there is always SOMETHING that interrupts an idea.
For example, doing Pawns and Kings, Myles has said things in the press how after the first five tracks, with the songs very intense, and sorta deep emotionally, they wanted "Holiday" to break it up, not be so serious. Well, WHY THE HELL do you feel the need to do that? There's no need. AB is really good at the intense, serious vibe. Embrace it. Don't feel a need to put some sort of poppy chorus middle of the album cut in there. Embrace what you're good at.
They did the same thing after "Fable." Season of Promise. Poppy chorus, not so intense. And then after that, they get dark and proggy with Last Man Standing and the title track. All of that is because the band felt the need to "check the boxes" at two specific points on the record. That's stupid, honestly. Regardless of whether a fan likes those two songs or not (I know I am in the minority in that I don't like them), the STYLE of the songs was not needed. Not with the type of material that was throughout Pawns and Kings. EMBRACE the direction. Don't feel a need (which I am sure was in part pushed by Elvis Baskette) to check boxes because of expectation.
p.s. I edited to add that another aspect that I respect about Mark and Myles is their love and recognition for the album format. I forget which of the two said it (maybe it was both), but one of them made a point to say how they agonize over a tracklisting, to make sure the complete body of work flows the way they intend. As a full-album listener, I really appreciate that. Which is why, it is also baffling they do some other things that I complain about. :rollin
But bottom line is - these guys are too damn talented to restrict themselves to AB by the numbers.
I will say this: Fans of One Day Remains probably won't like this album. I don't want to assume on that, but considering how many folks seem to practically worship that album over at TABN and seemingly almost detest the band's more recent work, it seems like a strong possibility to me. Alter Bridge isn't a hard rock band anymore, despite what Myles and Mark might say. They're a heavy metal/prog metal band, in the vein of Queensryche and the like.
There's three 'light' songs on this album (My Champion, You Will Be Remembered and Twilight). The rest is pretty damn heavy and a good number of those heavy songs mix things up a bit and try new things too. That's why My Champion especially feels out of place. It's a fun song, but it's like having a Raised on Radio-era Journey tune squeezed into the middle of Operation: Mindcrime. I'm all for variety, but there's got to be at least some sort of tonal balance with the album.
That's why I think Lover was such a highlight on Fortress; it's a very different sort of song from the rest of the album, but it totally matches the tone perfectly. Hell, even All Ends Well manages to fit in by being immediately followed by the title track and having its lyrical themes juxtaposed by Fortress' lyrics. One song suggests that we can succeed and work towards a finished goal/that 'all ends well,' while the other song looks further ahead and recognizes that nothing we do lasts forever.
Touring is always, for a lack of a better word, a grift and that goes for most bands. Like look at all of bands I mentioned in the previous post. What compelling new stuff have they released nowadays that matches well to their classics of the late 90s/early 00s? Can people just be appreciative that this band wants to do something after a lot of internal conflicts that would have put this band to rest once and for all?
Like I'm happy for the band that they are coming back (at the expense of my favorite band not doing stuff) after everything that has happened. I'm not really happy for the people that always wants to denigrate what the other guys have done prior to this and the moment Creed decides to come back and only wants to do a cruise for now, it's still not enough for them. It's like they want the band to put an end to AB and Stapp solo and do new music. I even think if they do release new music, it still wouldn't be enough for them.
On the other hand, I do want to see Creed do something similar to what Porcupine Tree has done when they had a brief reunion last year (and if you look at Steven Wilson's prior interviews regarding why he didn't want Porcupine Tree to reunite, it's close to what Mark had said prior to reuniting Creed. It's just Steven Wilson was more dismissive of the reunion in prior times). They were able to release good new music based on the ideas they had in between the hiatus and did a short tour and people were happy and they went off going back to doing other things with the door always opened for Porcupine Tree.
Well, after these three shows in South America, in a few weeks, as far as we know, this is it for AB in terms of touring or releasing anything until hopefully 2025?
Mark, Flip, and Brian is already doing some appearances with Stapp and Creed whether it was making an appearance at a game during the Texas Rangers playoff run or in a rehearsal studio and probably going to be announcing some stuff with Creed.
Myles is set to do a charity show with Slash in December that has guys he's familiar with (Gov't Mule, Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience, etc.) and then after that he's touring with Slash and Co. from January - April.
I'm going to be frank. I'm not liking this development. I get why everyone is going off in their own ways and they are going to deliver on everything they are going to do. I just feel, for a lack of a better word, there's a sense of abandonment. There are fans out there that doesn't care much about Creed and/or Slash and it's like, for one year, AB as an entity doesn't exist, not to be talked about, or have anything to get excited about. In my mind, that absolutely sucks since the band is way too good for that to just be phased out for a year. That said, there is always a chance that narrative could change in 2024, but it just doesn't feel like it's going to go that way.
Look at it this way. I love Myles with Slash, first, then I love Myles solo, then I love Myles with AB. Not that I don't like AB, but I prefer the Slash and solo work. So he's abandoned me for the last year and a half, you know what I mean? This is what happens when musicians pursue their muses in different outlets.
I'm glad to read Tim has said AB won't be gone long-term. That would be a shame. And I didn't think they would be.
Let's call this as it is.
Artistically, Alter Bridge is far and beyond Creed or Slash and the Conspirators, in terms of complexity of music -- AB is the musicians band, where the AB guys can get a little muso and do things. The AB guys do Creed for the $$$, and Myles does Slash because Appetite is one of his favorite all-time records, and Slash pays him REALLY well. They also get to play places in the U.S. AB hasn't been able to consistently headline. For example, back on the Fortress tour, AB finally played the Warfield Theatre in SF, after playing at the smaller Regency Ballroom before that, and has played the Regency Ballroom on every tour AFTER that. But with Slash, they play the Warfield EVERY time.
It's a numbers game. They make money with Creed and with Slash. A lot more money, particularly in the U.S., than they do with AB.
BUUUUTTTT...AB is absolutely huge in the UK and Europe, where they play arenas. So every so often, after AB does their run, they trot out Creed and Myles goes and does something with Slash. I GET IT.
As a fan, I get a little frustrated though. Because all these different ventures ultimately rob Alter Bridge of time to write like an old school band. For Blackbird, they sat together and wrote that record, together. After that, because they individually got busier with other projects, they started just compiling pieces of songs, and then getting together to arrange together. NOW, because they are very much in-demand with the other projects, they don't write together at all. They write songs separately, choose the ones everyone likes, and then do some minor arranging to fit what their producer thinks is necessary to check the AB boxes, and voila, that's AB.
That's my frustration as a fan of ALTER BRIDGE. That band suffers creatively to a degree because their primary songwriters are out doing other things. To this day, I feel like AB's masterpiece is yet to be written, because they just don't have the right time to do it. You hear it in the little comments both Myles and Mark make about "needing a single," or "checking a box" with something style-wise that AB is known for. As a fan, I really get mad about that. It is what it is, but what I would give for Mark and Myles to come into an AB project, and have them together sort of outline a direction and write together like they did for Blackbird, and forget all the BS that their producer Elvis Baskette says, and just write what they want to write. It sounds like they do just that on their solo albums -- do that for AB!!!!
But it is what it is. Maybe one day, from front to back, we'll have that Alter Bridge record that is absolutely flawless. Their Operation: Mindcrime, or Images and Words, or Master of Puppets, etc. It's in there, I know it is. They just need to get TOGETHER, and create TOGETHER. Just my .02.
Stads,Stads isn't saying that AB isn't more complex. He's saying that fact doesn't make it necessarily qualitatively better or more of value than anything else.
Creed is very simplistic, songwriting-wise. Slash's music, while more dynamic than that, to my ears, is a very, very different animal to AB. Slash is basically blues-based hard rock, with some attitude and swagger. Myles' gig with Slash...Myles is a very, very reluctant frontman. His whole "act" on stage while fronting Slash is just that -- an act, because that's really not him. That whole LA rock and roll thing is a character that Myles gets into to do that gig. He's said many, many times that he prefers to hide behind his guitar and rock out. He's shy. And all that swagger and the music he fronts in Slash, while entertaining, is nowhere near who he is.
And as for the music itself, again, it's just bluesy hard rock, often in normal 4/4 time. Once in a while they do something a little off the beaten path, but not often, because that's not Slash. But in Alter Bridge, you get a gazillion different tunings, a number of time changes, mood shifts, that music is way more complex than what Slash does.
That's not opinion. That's fact.
What we LIKE better, is obviously opinion.
Stads isn't saying that AB isn't more complex. He's saying that fact doesn't make it necessarily qualitatively better or more of value than anything else.
I think that is a complete disservice to suggest that somehow AB is the band of integrity, of artistic expression, and the Slash gig is to pay the bills. I can't speak for the Creed thing; you know better than me, but I find it hard to believe they're doing that just for the jitneys.
Frankly, not to piss on your parade, but if AB is so complex and so advanced musically, it's worse for me, because then they become the band of misplaced opportunity. Where's their Physical Graffiti? Where's their Dark Side Of The Moon?
Maybe their masterpiece ISN'T ahead of them. Maybe what they are is just what they are.
Maybe their masterpiece ISN'T ahead of them. Maybe what they are is just what they are.
Maybe their masterpiece ISN'T ahead of them. Maybe what they are is just what they are.This is how I see AB at this point. There are masterpieces of songs sprinkled throughout a bunch of solid albums, but not one album that is mind-blowing. I'm OK with that. I think they're a step better artistically and technically than most mainstream rock and metal these days, but not up there with the elites.
Maybe their masterpiece ISN'T ahead of them. Maybe what they are is just what they are.
This is how I see AB at this point. There are masterpieces of songs sprinkled throughout a bunch of solid albums, but not one album that is mind-blowing. I'm OK with that. I think they're a step better artistically and technically than most mainstream rock and metal these days, but not up there with the elites.
Maybe their masterpiece ISN'T ahead of them. Maybe what they are is just what they are.
Maybe you're right, but that begs the question that Samsara has been alluding to for several posts (and actually, several MONTHS) now: is this the direction of modern music? We have to consciously fit into a demographic or genre when we put out music? This is our "blues rock" project, this is our "alt-metal" project, etc. Zeppelin didn't worry about whether their music was "blues" or "metal" or "folk" or "prog", they just played it, and so you get songs like "No Quarter" alongside "Over The Hills And Far Away". I don't know that ANY band is really tramping on genres in that way these days.
Maybe their masterpiece ISN'T ahead of them. Maybe what they are is just what they are.This is how I see AB at this point. There are masterpieces of songs sprinkled throughout a bunch of solid albums, but not one album that is mind-blowing. I'm OK with that. I think they're a step better artistically and technically than most mainstream rock and metal these days, but not up there with the elites.
Agreed. Barring some sort of drastic change from the band, like an announcement that Elvis B won't be producing the next AB album or a sudden willingness to play more new songs in their discography live than older hits from Blackbird, I just don't see the band ever managing to really live up to their full potential.
Which sucks IMO, because if you're a fan, you can hear how talented they are and how capable they are- the capacity to make an all-timer classic metal/rock album is absolutely there in Alter Bridge. But as it stands, I feel like they're a bit too comfortable in going with their usual flow.