Album Review

Alter Bridge - FortressAlter Bridge – Fortress

This band’s music means so much to me as it has been there for me and soothed my mood throughout the worst times I have experienced in my life, they cater to every mood you could find yourself in; aggressive (“Ties That Bind”, “Metalingus” etc…), mellow (“Watch Over You”, “In Loving Memory”, “Broken Wings” etc…), buzzing (“Buried Alive”, “Isolation”, “Rise Today” etc…) with loads more over the past 3 albums. Mark Tremonti and Myles Kennedy together is such a heavenly musical cocktail, the guitar work is high octane and off the charts in terms of technicality, the vocals are so calming and the range Kennedy can reach is remarkable, after such a long break with Tremonti embarking on a solo record and Kennedy touring with Slash can they come back together without losing any of the magic?

A single came out called “Addicted To Pain” with such a huge hype surrounding it all over social media and I left it a while before I personally checked it out - I usually avoid singles as I get too excited and hate waiting for the rest - but I caved and gave it a listen and after criticising Kennedy for losing his touch with the latest Slash album, I was made to eat my words as his work here is impeccable alongside an explosion of high octane riffage, what a track. I also fell in love with album opener “Cry Of Achilles” as it’s a slow builder but then when it kicks in it stomps through your chest with force the same pure hard rock driven tracks such as “Bleed It Dry”, “Farther Than The Sun” and “Cry A River”. “Waters Rising” is one of those songs where the riff hooks you and reels you in, it’s just so dirty and intricate which is really half the reason I love Alter Bridge. You also have the traditional lighter songs, none on the impeccable level of “Watch Over You” or “Wonderful Life” but “Lover” gives a very valiant effort at it and album title track “Fortress” nearly makes it into the top whilst retaining an element of metal to it at the same time which is tremendous.

All in all being a huge fan of a band can cloud your judgement when it comes to newer material in the respect that either you’ll hype it up and it won’t live up or there’s an element of unconditional love and loyalty so everything is fantastic but I’ve put that aside whilst I’ve span it for a few weeks to really see what this has to offer. This is packed full of technicality, explosive metal influence and beautiful harmonic craftsmanship, absolutely chuffed to bits with everything this album is reignited the passion and obsessive nature I’ve always had for these guys.

4.5/5

Review by James Webb

 Band Members

Myles Kennedy
Mark Tremonti
Brian Marshall
Scott Phillips
 Track Listing

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

 Band Related Links
Alter Bridge Facebook
 Review Score Code
- Top Cheese
- Brilliant
- Pretty damn good
- Ok I guess
- What Was That?