Alter Bridge
Alter Bridge

The story of Alter Bridge began exactly twenty-two years ago. A long journey made up of memorable episodes, great inspiration, and continuous growth.

After seven studio albums and four live records, as well as an indefinite number of hit songs filling their concert setlists, it was only natural to think the Orlando band would take some time before releasing new music. Well, anyone who thought that was very much mistaken. Despite Myles Kennedy’s side projects (first as a solo artist and then alongside Slash&The Conspirators) and Mark Tremonti (who recently rejoined Creed with Brian Marshall and Scott Phillips), the Alter Bridge notebook is as full as ever.

Right in the middle of summer 2025, the band announced the upcoming release of their eighth studio album, the self-titled “Alter Bridge”. The first details started to leak on social media, including those regarding the album’s artwork. Simple and essential in its design, with a light background showcasing the large initials “AB” and the full band name across the bottom of the first letter. Nothing particularly innovative, but the saying “less is more” couldn’t fit better. The first single released was “Silent Divide”, which displays the band’s signature sound, this time brought together in a powerful, mid-tempo track with intricate riffs. Even in this case, as with the album cover, the prevailing feeling isn’t exactly surprise. It leaves you wondering if the album might be something fleeting, with the more pessimistic calling it “un compitino” in the midst of a long, successful career. However, the next three singles, released monthly, convinced us we’d been too hasty in our judgment. “What Lies Within”, "Playing Aces” and “Scales Are Falling” form a progressive crescendo in the context of what the entire work will be. The first two tracks unleash a mainly metal spirit, while the third slows the pace, gets a bit lost in anonymity, but offers a delicate solo near the bridge.

The new year will bring the remaining eight tracks, completing the work. And it’s here that we’ll find the true soul of this “Alter Bridge”. Songs like “Rue The Day”, “Power Down”, and “Disregarded” burst with pure power and push Kennedy’s vocal cords to the limit, with him always answering the call. “Tested and Able” puts Mark Tremonti back at the mic, a guitarist with an established and highly appreciated vocal timbre. With your eyes closed, you might think you’re listening to a Tremonti track, if not for the duet between the lead and backing vocals in the refrains. There’s also a beautiful guitar solo, with interwoven parts between both guitars—something you’ll enjoy in many of the tracks presented here.

“Trust In Me” and “What Are You Waiting For” come across as fillers, ranking among the less impactful episodes of the setlist. “Hang By A Thread” makes up for it: it’s a caress for the soul, a safe harbor, a beautiful leap into the past. The riff guiding us throughout the whole track evokes the main theme of their debut “One Day Remains”, specifically recalling the haunting notes of “Watch Over You”. Kennedy’s vocal cords, with their moving vocalizations, make the most out of every single octave.

The peak is reached in the album’s closing. The closer, “Slave To Master”, immediately claims its place among the masterpieces of the Orlando band. Nine minutes of sophisticated composition, of power and melody, so surprising that it feels like listening to three songs in one. The final solo, as the saying goes, “vale il prezzo del biglietto,” and for this reason, it will undoubtedly be essential from the very next “What Lies Within Tour”, which kicked off in mid-January in Norway and will make stops in Italy in Bergamo and Rome, joined by two top-tier bands like Sevendust and Daughtry.

In conclusion, a self-titled album carries the responsibility of honoring and celebrating the good name of its creators, steering clear of banality and anonymity. We can therefore say with confidence that this “Alter Bridge” has passed the test with flying colors.

Although the previous album “Pawn & Kings” is, overall, superior—placing in the top three of the band’s entire discography—this eighth effort comes in strong and earns itself an important spot in the rankings as well.

Another fine piece of work and a handful of excellent singles destined to feature indefinitely in their live sets are a great achievement for one of the most interesting metal bands of the last twenty years.