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Rating:
I only go to see Alter Bridge... So what? Problems? Something wrong?
No, there's nothing wrong... Or maybe yes. Milan has always kind of sucked for me, a love-hate relationship mixed with you annoy me, especially because when you go to Milan from an insignificant town like mine, you're surely destined to get lost at least a couple of times (yeah, right, who has a TomTom?). And when you ask for directions from anyone you meet, they'll say, "Eh, you're a bit (actually very) out of the way, you could go there, then take a turn for... Or get back on the ring road and exit at the next... But I don’t know, maybe ask someone else who knows more...". So then you stupid jerk, what are you doing in Milan, a tourist by chance?
Screw it...
Anyway, in the end, we made it, the Alcatraz wasn't that "out of the way," and with a good ten minutes to spare, we managed to get in, avoiding a swarm of various bugs one by one (all strictly Milanese) and dozens of stalls with original and cheap merchandise that almost seemed like they were giving it away. The place is full, but not packed (wasn't it sold out?)... Oh well... We managed to get calmly past halfway and settle in a spot where we could breathe (the heat was still inhumane).
Just enough time for a beer, kindly offered (darn it, 6 euros), and my (or at least my) heroes peek out on stage and immediately kick off with the opener of the third eponymous just released, "Slip to the Void", possibly the most interesting track of the entire album which, after an initial spell of growing enjoyment, eventually kind of bored me. That dreamy, light, synthesized intro mixed with the trademark hard rock had me hopeful, but the album, I must admit, is not at the level of the previous ones and is easily forgotten after a while. Patience...
The track is still a great choice for an opener, Myles and company are still a bit cold (although I wish I were "cold" like that throughout a concert), but you can already tell it will definitely be a success. The volume is just right, neither too loud nor too soft. I'd say almost perfect. The voice overshadows a bit, I don't know if it's because of the volume or the truly impressive vocal power of Kennedy (though this time I must admit he didn't impress me as much as the previous live at the Fillmore in 2008, maybe because I didn't expect a performance like that then, now I knew well what I was getting into). As usual, I can't hear the bass, I thought it was a flaw in the studio recordings, but Brian Marshall (who I am told by knowledgeable people is an excellent bassist) really can't manage to be seen or heard at all. Scott Phillips is undoubtedly an excellent drummer, even if, in my opinion, he made a couple of blunders. Mark Tremonti is really immense.
"Buried Alive" explodes as the second track, and all four warm up properly, although "Before Tomorrow Comes" slightly cools the crowd's excitement (which still appreciates loudly), only to get going again with "Find The Real" with a catchy final high note finally heard live (deliberately skipped in Piacenza), and subsequent libido of yours truly as a singer himself with a photo of Kennedy on the bedside table (not John Fitzgerald's relationships...). Let's say that the live rather than igniting sparkles in the first part, with the alternation of flashy tracks ("Brand New Start" and the new, not very convincing "All Hope is Gone" and "Ghost of Days Gone By") and other powerful ones ("White Knuckles" and the famous and orgasmic "Metalingus"), while the famous "Broken Wings" acts as a watershed for a truly breathtaking five ("Ties That Bind", "Coming Home", "One Day Remains" - UH! - "I Know It Hurts" and "Come To Life").
A special mention goes to "Blackbird", performed identically, note for note, breath for breath, as the studio version (I didn't time it, but I'm ready to swear the same as the record), Tremonti really worthy of entering the pantheon of the best guitarists in recent years and perhaps even beyond. A sonic delirium. Space for Kennedy's somewhat sly performance with just guitar and voice in "Watch Over You" and a grand finale with the first single "Open Your Eyes" where even the venue walls are singing.
After a small retreat backstage, our guys return to finally demolish the night with the highly anticipated and heavy "Isolation", followed by the grand explosive finale of "Battle of Guitar Heroes" and "Rise Today".
What can I say, definitely a live performance well over the top and beyond my wildest expectations, although I got the impression that this time it was more of a task done, yes, with an A+, but with the rock 'n' roll soul somewhat absent. However, on a technical level, almost certainly the best hard rock band around, no bullshit, with the best singer currently on the scene, although he could have learned a bit more than the usual "Grazie" and "Milanooooo!". Maximum respect anyway for someone who, just finished touring with Slash, gets back on stage with his band, releases an album of new songs, and sets off for another world tour, always maintaining levels much more than high (also on a guitar level, I must say, absolutely).
Perhaps a bit pretentious, but darn, what a voice!
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