With less than six weeks until the arrival of their self-titled, eighth studio album on January 9, 2026, Alter Bridge return with their brand-new single, “Playing Aces.” The track bursts open with the band’s trademark dual-guitar firepower as Myles Kennedy (vocals/guitars), Mark Tremonti (guitars/vocals), Brian Marshall (bass), and Scott Phillips (drums) lock into the muscular groove that has defined their sound for more than two decades. The propulsive verses build into a soaring, unforgettable chorus, highlighted by Kennedy’s declaration: “If I risked it all, I hope you’ll understand that I had to play my hand…”
“Playing Aces” is available now across all digital service providers. The accompanying music video – directed by J.T. Ibanez – is also out today and can be seen above.
“The term ‘Playing Aces’ ties in with the gambling analogy of risking everything regardless of how many times you’ve failed in life. It’s a last-ditch effort to come out on top,” explains Myles Kennedy.
With over twenty years as one of rock’s most consistently acclaimed bands, Alter Bridge continue to push forward. Renowned for their towering riffs, infectious melodies, and masterful guitar interplay, the quartet will release their self-titled eighth studio album on January 9, 2026, via Napalm Records. Physical formats are available for pre-order now at https://www.lnk.to/AB-AlterBridge.

The forthcoming album features 12 brand new tracks that capture some of the band’s most compelling work to date. Songs like “Rue The Day,” “Disregarded,” and “Scales Are Falling” stand tall alongside staples from the Alter Bridge catalogue. “Trust In Me” showcases the powerful vocal chemistry between Kennedy and Tremonti, with Myles taking lead on the verses and Mark commanding the chorus – an approach they flip on “Tested And Able,” one of the band’s heaviest introductions to date. “Hang By A Thread” is primed for the live stage, echoing the energy of fan-favourite anthems, while album closer “Slave To Master” delivers an epic finale and marks the longest track the band has ever recorded.
The first single, “Silent Divide,” continues its ascent at US Active Rock radio and has already surpassed 4 million views on YouTube. Longtime producer Michael “Elvis” Baskette once again joins the band for the project, recorded over two months this spring at both the legendary 5150 Studios in California and at Elvis’ studio in Florida.

The track listing for “Alter Bridge” is:
1) Silent Divide (5:06)
2) Rue The Day (4:46)
3) Power Down (4:08)
4) Trust In Me (4:48)
5) Disregarded (3:55)
6) Tested And Able (4:36)
7) What Lies Within (5:07)
8) Hang By A Thread (4:11)
9) Scales Are Falling (5:54)
10) Playing Aces (4:05)
11) What Are You Waiting For (5:00)
12) Slave To Master (9:03)
“Alter Bridge” is currently available for pre-order in the following formats:
-1-CD 6p Digisleeve, 12p Booklet
-2-LP Gatefold BLACK, Lyric Sheet
-2-LP Gatefold TRANSLUCENT VERDE – VETRI (INDIE exclusive)
-2-LP Gatefold TRANSLUCENT VERDE – VETRI + autographed postcard (NEWBURY exclusive, limited to 50)
-1-CD 6p Digisleeve + autographed postcard (NEWBURY exclusive, limited to 250)
-2-LP Gatefold SPLATTERED BLACK SMOKE/ WHITE ORANGE BLACK, 12p Booklet (Napalm mailorder exclusive)
-2-LP BLACK, White Label Edition + hand-numbered Covercard (Napalm mailorder international-only exclusive)
-2-LP Gatefold MARBLE COLORLESS BLACK & RED BLACK OLD PURPLE, 12p Booklet (Napalm exclusive)
-LP Box incl. 2-LP Gatefold SPLIT BLACK/MILK, 12p Booklet, 5-Tack Bonus Picture Vinyl in Plastic Sleeve, Artprint (Napalm mailorder international-only exclusive)
-1-CD 6p Digisleeve + “Hang By A Thread” Shirt Bundle (Napalm exclusive)
-2-LP Gatefold SPLATTERED CRÈME BLACK, 12p Booklet (Band exclusive)
-2-LP Gatefold MARBLE BLACK SMOKE, 12p Booklet (Band exclusive)
-2-LP Gatefold CRISTALLO MILK GLITTER, Lyric Sheet (Band exclusive)
-1-CD Jewel Case (Ticket Bundle for Townsend exclusive) + Guitar Pick (Band exclusive)
To coincide with the new album, Alter Bridge will hit the road in support of the release on the What Lies Within Tour. The 31-date European run kicks off January 15 in Germany and wraps March 5 in Nottingham, UK, with Daughtry and Sevendust joining as special guests. The band has also announced a headlining U.S. tour featuring Filter or Sevendust and Tim Montana on select dates. The trek begins April 25 in Orlando, FL and concludes May 24 in Tampa, FL.

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

European What Lies Within Tour 2026:
Jan 15 – HAMBURG, GERMANY – Sporthalle
Jan 17 – OSLO, NORWAY – Sentrum Scene
Jan 18 – OSLO, NORWAY – Sentrum Scene
Jan 20 – STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN – Annexet
Jan 22 – HELSINKI, FINLAND – Ice Hall Black Box
Jan 24 – COPENHAGEN, DENMARK – KB Hallen
Jan 25 – BERLIN, GERMANY – Columbiahalle
Jan 27 – GLIWICE, POLAND – Prezero Arena Gliwice
Jan 28 – BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – Barba Negra
Jan 30 – VIENNA, AUSTRIA – Gasometer
Jan 31 – ZAGREB, CROATIA – Bocarski Dom
Feb 02 – ROME, ITALY – Atlantico
Feb 03 – BERGAMO, ITALY – ChorusLive Arena
Feb 05 – ZURICH, SWITZERLAND – The Hall
Feb 06 – LYON, FRANCE – Halle Tony Garnier
Feb 08 – BARCELONA, SPAIN – Razzmatazz 1
Feb 10 – LISBON, PORTUGAL – Sagres Campo Pequeno
Feb 12 – MADRID, SPAIN – Palacio Vistalegre
Feb 13 – BORDEAUX, FRANCE – Arkea Arena
Feb 15 – LUXEMBOURG, LUXEMBOURG – Rockhal
Feb 17 – OBERHAUSEN, GERMANY – Oberhausen Turbinenhalle
Feb 18 – PARIS, FRANCE – Zenith
Feb 20 – MUNICH, GERMANY – Zenith
Feb 22 – AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – Ziggo Dome
Feb 23 – BRUSSELS, BELGIUM – Ancienne Belgique
Feb 25 – NEWCASTLE, UNITED KINGDOM – Utilita Arena
Feb 26 – MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM – AO Arena
Feb 28 – DUBLIN, IRELAND – 3Arena
Mar 02 – GLASGOW, UNITED KINGDOM – OVO Hydro
Mar 04 – LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – The O2
Mar 05 – NOTTINGHAM, UNITED KINGDOM – Motorpoint Arena

What Lies Within US Tour
Apr 25 – Orlando, FL – House of Blues – TM
Apr 26 – Atlanta, GA – Coca-Cola Roxy – 7D/TM
Apr 28 – Houston, TX – Bayou Music Center – F/TM
Apr 29 – Dallas, TX – South Side Ballroom – F/TM
May 1 – Tulsa, OK – Skyline Event Center at Osage Casino Hotel – F/TM
May 2 – Omaha, NE – Steelhouse Omaha – F/TM
May 5 – Green Bay, WI – EPIC Event Center – F/TM
May 6 – Chicago, IL – The Salt Shed – F/TM
May 9 – Atlantic City, NJ – Event Center at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa – F
May 10 – Boston, MA – Citizen House of Blues Boston – F/TM
May 12 – Huntington, NY – The Paramount – F/TM
May 13 – Montclair, NJ – The Wellmont Theater – F/TM
May 18 – Pittsburgh, PA – The Roxian Theatre – F/TM
May 19 – Detroit, MI – The Fillmore Detroit – F/TM
May 21 – Nashville, TN – The Pinnacle – 7D/TM
May 22 – Birmingham, AL – Avondale Brewing Company – F/TM
May 24 – Tampa, FL – Seminole Hard Rock Tampa Event Center – F/TM
** TM = Tim Montana, F = Filter, 7D = Sevendust
Blackbird Festival
Jun 27 – CARDIFF, WALES – Blackbird Festival @ Cardiff Castle
About Alter Bridge
Back in 2004, four lifelong musicians got together down in Florida. Even though they had traveled separate paths, similar lessons learned, wisdom earned, and dues paid united these gentlemen – Myles Kennedy [vocals, guitar], Mark Tremonti [guitar, vocals], Brian Marshall [bass], and Scott Phillips [drums] – as Alter Bridge. Over the ensuing two decades, the band endured countless trials and tribulations, defied every odd, and rose to the head of the pack as a hard rock juggernaut, cementing a singular legacy by selling out arenas, gathering nearly 1 billion streams, inciting international acclaim, and quietly attracting a diehard audience.
Beginning with the Top 5 entry of 2004’s gold certified One Day Remains, the band have scored six consecutive Top 20 debuts on the Billboard 200. Among a myriad of highlights, Guitarist Magazine applauded “Blackbird” for the “Greatest Guitar Solo of All Time,” the ABIII single “Isolation” vaulted to #1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart, 2013’s Fortress received rare perfect scores from KERRANG! and Total Guitar, and Walk The Sky shook the Top Rock Albums Chart at #1. Beyond packing O2 Arena and Royal Albert Hall, Classic Rock hailed 2022’s Pawns & Kings as “the Rolls-Royce of Alter Bridge records” in a 4.5-out-of-5-star review. Plus, the latter LP garnered praise from American Songwriter, Guitar World, and Loudwire, while Billboard christened them “one of America’s premiere hard rock quartets.” Channelling the same relentless drive, the band continues to expand their legacy with their forthcoming self-titled eighth album – an embodiment of the precision, power, and soaring musicality fans have come to expect.
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Photo: Chuck Brueckmann
Devil's Gate Music