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After a brief interlude between 2019 and 2022, filled by both Myles Kennedy and Mark Tremonti releasing solo albums, Alter Bridge are back and as indomitable as ever. An album that is being touted as their heaviest yet, ‘Pawns & Kings’ really does give their previous offerings a run for their money.
Opening track and fourth single ‘This Is War’ starts immediately with heavy guitar and a slightly eerie smattering of choral singing, before Kennedy’s own vocals start up, already exercising his genuinely impressive range and his voice’s tenacity. Coupled with the upbeat guitar and drums, the chorus of this one is a real powerhouse anthem – and of course, they throw in a quick and technically fantastic solo on the guitar just after they hit the bridge. The brilliance of the guitarwork on the album continues into the intro of the next song ‘Dead Among The Living’, another incredibly catchy song, with a chorus that’s genuinely quite uplifting, even if it’s some particularly heavy material they’re working with. It’s a little slower than the previous track, but still just as powerful and laden with just as much technical expertise.
‘Stay’ is the first song on the album featuring Mark Tremonti on lead vocals, and it’s an absolute treat. It’s once again an uplifting message, and Tremonti’s slightly softer vocals provide fantastic relief to it, on top of the both quick-paced and slightly peeled-back guitar. It’s certainly enough to make you feel something. The slow pace is immediately discarded for the heavier riffing and the catchy chorus of ‘Holiday’, which provides a needed balancing moment between the more content-heavy songs preceding and proceeding it. It’s also a great tune. ‘Fable of the Silent Son’ is the track that follows, and the brilliant mixing between Tremonti and Kennedy’s voices during the slow, balladic introduction is almost enough to bring you to tears. Even when the guitar and drums kick in and get louder, Kennedy is completely arresting as he laments past mistakes.
With huge choruses and enough fancy guitar work to sate the insatiable, Alter Bridge have come up with an absolute choice cut of an album.
Available now via Napalm Records.
Review – El Vipond
Alter Bridge UK tour dates:
Mon 5th Dec – ENGLAND – NOTTINGHAM Motorpoint Arena
Tue 6th Dec – SCOTLAND – GLASGOW SSE Hydro Arena
Thu 8th Dec – IRELAND – DUBLIN 3 Arena
Fri 9th Dec – ENGLAND – MANCHESTER AO Arena
Sun 11th Dec – ENGLAND – BIRMINGHAM Resorts World Arena
Mon 12th Dec – ENGLAND – LONDON O2 Arena
Tickets available here
ALTER BRIDGE online:
WEBSITE
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NAPALM RECORDS
Photo credit – Chuck Brueckmann
