AB III

Myles Kennedy –vocals, guitar

Mark Tremonti –guitar, vocals

Brian Marshall – bass guitar

Scott Phillips – drums, keyboards

            When Creed went on the rocks in 2003 a couple of the members reunited with another former Creed member and a former tour buddy came together to form a new band. Alter Bridge officially formed New Year’s Day 2004. They ran into the studio to work on their debut album which hit stores in August of that year. Several tracks seen work beyond the radio finding themselves on soundtracks and as WWE theme songs. They dropped their label after some discussion of topics. They signed with Universal Republic and released their second album, Blackbird, in October 2009. They are now back with their third album (and label), AB III, which features a whopping fourteen tracks. “Slip to the Void” opens up the album with a soft somber track that draws you in. it cruises along for a minute or so at that pace before it opens up a can. They really get moving with huge gang vocals and driving drums. The guitars get into the act as they go off from time to time, soaring high and ripping of cords that will make your head spin. “Isolation” blasts out of the gates like it was shot out of a rocket.  The guitars rip through like a tornado as the vocals lay a smooth set of lyrics down and the drums beat and pound their way home. It’s a metal dream with plenty of spots to head bang and get crazy. It’s an excellent track. “Ghost of Days Gone By” slows the album down with a huge vocal performance. It does have spots where the intensity raises, but it lifts up for the vocals to have a higher stage. They go hand and hand for this offering. “All Hope Is Gone” keeps the album slow with a heavy doze of gang vocals and slow moving tunes. It’s a bit lackadaisical as it sweeps across the stage. “Still Remains” begins with some guitar picking that is accompanied by some drums and tribal vocals rather quickly. Myles comes steamrolling in with a huge note kicking things into another gear. With that being said though after a while it sounds very over the top and out of place. They might have tried to hard on this song. “Make It Right” stays soft and slow. It offers huge vocals like a few of the tracks before it as well as some tunes that flare-up from time to time. The track gives an impression of rollercoaster ride with the ups and downs the track offers. It wraps up to be an okay track with an awesome solo section and gang vocals. “Wonderful Life” is an uplifting track with soft spoken vocals and simple guitars. It floats by with a powerful message and even powerful performance. It will have you closing your eyes and raising your cell phone or lighters. Depending on exactly how it touches you it may even bring a tear to your eyes. “I Know It Hurts” revs up the engine and gets off the line quickly. They soldiered through most of the tune before shifting gears for the end section of the track. It’s almost like there are two different songs smashed together for this one.  “Show Me a Sign” enters with a pretty lengthy intro that gives way to Myles and his vocals. The track rolls on with simple music (an easy listening sound) as well as smooth lyrics. Other than those lyrics the track is somewhat forgettable as it really doesn’t razzle or dazzle. “Fallout” is right in the same category of the last track “Show Me A Sign.” It doesn’t have a lot to offer as it just glides past. The guitars step up from time to time, but really don’t have much other than that. “Breathe Again” finally gives the album a spark once again. The heart-felt track lets the emotions fly as the vocals pour out from their souls and the music is moving, touching your heart and warming you from the inside out. It is a powerful tune that breathes live back into this second half of the album. “Coeur d'Alene” is a strange song with echoing vocals and an okay set of tunes. It will intrigue you enough to stay and listen to it for a few times. “Life Must Go On” begins with slow guitar picking that is shortly accompanied by the rest of the instruments. The soft spoken vocals come strolling in holding your attention for a short time before it begins to get old. “Words Darker Than Their Wings” ends the album (unless you get the 2 bonus tracks) with another soft track. The guitar picking in the beginning is cool, but the rest of the track is just like so many of the others on the album. The slow and steady just doesn’t seem to fit Alter Bridge as much as some other bands out there now. There are a few tracks that do hold your attention with the slower tempo, but the bulk of them just fizzle out before they really get going. I know this is considered or has been called a “concept” album, but the album really doesn’t have much there to get it over the hump. It’s just a mediocre album.

Rating: 6.5 out of 10

Tracks to Watch:

Isolation, I Know It Hurts

Track List:

1. Slip to the Void
2. Isolation
3. Ghost of Days Gone By
4. All Hope Is Gone
5. Still Remains
6. Make It Right
7. Wonderful Life
8. I Know It Hurts
9. Show Me a Sign
10. Fallout
11. Breathe Again
12. Coeur d'Alene
13. Life Must Go On
14. Words Darker Than Their Wings

Website (s): www.alterbridge.com