Alter Bridge
Fortress
Myles Kennedy – lead vocals, rhythm and lead
guitar
Mark Tremonti – lead and rhythm guitar, backing
vocals
Brian Marshall – bass
Scott Phillips – drums, percussion
Alter Bridge’s story is one that most people know.
Coming from the heels of controversy in another band Alter Bridge was born. The
formation came after Marshall left the band Creed after two albums while
Tremonti and Phillips stayed around long enough for a third album and a
controversial tour. Creed then went inactive in 2003 and that year Tremonti
began to write new material with plans of a new band. Phillips and Marshall
quickly joined and they decided to invite Myles Kennedy to head the vocals. The
announcement of the new band as well as the announcement of the break up of
Creed came in 2004. Later that year Alter Bridge released their debut album One Day
Remains. Several tracks made
their way into the WWE as well as some movie soundtracks. 2006 seen the band
leaving their label and sign with a new one. The next year the new label was
announced and the new album hit the stores. Blackbird received positive reviews
and moved the band into the
next realm. The guys then took a break from Alter Bridge in 2009 while a Creed
reunion tour and new album surfaced. Kennedy took the time to work on a solo
album as well as working with Velvet Revolver’s Slash on his project. Mid-2010
the band reported another label change and their third album ABIII. After touring
in support of the
album members again turned their attention to other projects. Creed once again
surfaced as did solo projects, new bands, and collaborations, but they never
once forgot about Alter Bridge. December 2012 they met to discuss the next
chapter which turned out to produce the bands forth album. Released in October
2013, Fortress, features 12 tunes
that spread 63 minutes. They get the album going with “Cry of Achilles.”
The track begins slowly with a
nice array of guitar picking before the rest of the guys get involved to round
out the intro section. The vocals then roll in with the classic Alter Bridge
style. The track sounds decent, but seems to last a little too long as I found
myself drifting off and back again. There are great guitar solos that pull you
back in and of course they are accompanied by solid drums. Those sections are
really the stars of this number. “Addicted to Pain” steps up next with a great
vibe. The track moves along with ease and you can follow along with the upbeat
tempo easily as well. The vocals are more up front in this number while the
drums hammer away in the back. This is a number that I think many fans will let
play all the way through. “Bleed It Dry” opens up with some heavy tunes before
the vocals come strolling in. They then give way just a bit for the verses,
however the chorus sections of the song they spike back up. They also throw in
a nice twist about two and a half minutes in. The guitar solo during that part
of the tune is tremendous and will have your full attention. It’s a solid
number with twists, turns, and extra vocals. “Lover” is a very slow track that
is flooded with emotion and passion. As you listen you can just imagine couples
holding each other while the band plays the track up on stage. It’s a very
strong track that I can see doing some great work. I do also feel though that
some of the vocals are a little forced. “The Uninvited” draws you in with its
odd intro as it should peak your interest. The track then mellows out offering
up a smooth tune with clean vocals and sweeping tunes. I would say the tune is
in the middle of the pack with its arrangement that it gives listeners. “Peace
Is Broken” wraps up the first half of the album with another decent tune. The smooth
vocals are back once again while the tunes truck along with ease. The track
really doesn’t stand out above the others, but there is still no reason to skip
it. There is still enough for you to hang around. “Calm The Fire” slows the
album down once again. They get the tune going with odd sounding vocals and symphony
sounding music. That lasts around a minute before the band comes in strong with
driving drums and flying guitars. The track pushes along easily as vocals are
coming from all over the place. This is a tune that you can really get into. “Waters
Rising” is a well organized tune that will have you coming back time and time
again. I love the vibe and sound of this track. The lyrics are also top notch
and easy to follow along with. The vocals are clean and clear while the music
strikes a nerve with you. Everything just comes together extremely well in this
tune. “Farther Than the Sun” continues the 2nd half onslaught that Fortress is. The track offers up some
killer tunes and the guitar solo is off the hook. You can really get into it as
you will find yourself head-banging a little bit. The vocals are again clear
and easy to follow along with. They do have that whining sound to them that is
classic AB. “Cry A River” keeps the tempo up and the vocals run through some
lyrics as well. I do feel that it will get lost in the shuffle although it’s a pretty
good sounding offering. The guitar solo is top notch and the drums drive the
track along while the vocals are the normal style. “All Ends Well” slows the
album down once again. The track is decent, but I really didn’t feel a
connection with the offering. You can tell it’s an emotional tune, because of
the way the music is played and the vocals give up the lyrics. I just wasn’t feeling
the track myself. “Fortress” concludes the album with a high powered number
that can’t be ignored. The titled-cut is top notch and should be stored in
everyone’s iPod. The guitar solo is excellent and the drums that go along with
it help it along and achieve a great instrumental section. It is the longest
tune on the record clocking in at over 7 minutes, but don’t let that detour you
from taking it in over and over again. Overall this album is pretty good. The
first half of the record seemed like
it was lacking a little something for the most part, but they definitely found
it during the second half of the album. The vocals are solid throughout, but
could use a little bit of changing from time to time. With that said though,
you can’t mistake them for another band and
I like that. They have a unique sound to them and they stick to it. This album
is no different. There are so many tracks that you can hang onto and come back
to. You can really connect with them. Lyrically the album is strong, but I believe
that it’s the music that makes the tracks really stand out.
Rating: 8 out of 10
Tracks to Watch:
Calm The Fire, Waters Rising, Fortress
Track
List:
- Cry Of Achilles
- Addicted To Pain
- Bleed It Dry
- Lover
- The Uninvited
- Peace Is Broken
- Calm The Fire
- Waters Rising
- Farther Than the Sun
- Cry A River
- All Ends Well
- Fortress
Website (s): www.alterbridge.com
