alter bridge

(9/10) Wait a second. Catchy melodies and heavy guitar riffing, where have we heard this earlier? True, Sevendust made use of this principle since many years and Projected does the same. This isn't a coincidence knowing that Sevendust guitarist John Conolly is one quarter of Projected, a supergroup that also comprises Sevendust's bassist Vinnie Hornsby, Scott Phillips (Alter Bridge) and Eric Friedman (Tremonti).

"Ignite My Insanity" is the sophomore release of the quartet that debut with "Human" in 2012. Since a few weeks the new album is now available also in Europe  and if you haven't heard it yet, you should close this gap - the sooner the better. 

The musical background of the four musicians involved gives you a pretty good idea of what to expect from this two CD release. Melodic alternative metal with a modern approach is what these songs are about. The joy with the album is that it feels like being done with an ease, not being overloaded with sky-high expectations. The four-piece band made us of all the liberty provided and created a jaw-dropping good double decker.

"Ignite My Insanity" contains all ingredients you want to get served with such a musical feast. Soulful ballads like "Faith" are part of the game as well as brutal riff monsters, a category "Six Feet Below" belongs to. Tunes like "Ignite" are a well-crafted mix of great vocal lines in the chorus, a psychedelic verse and furious guitars. A song that's merciless pushing is entitled "Vain" and I could continue since the album is thrilling from beginning to end. Anyhow, I would like to mention two more songs. "Rectify" and "Call Me the Devil" have been co-written by Mark Tremonti, adding a slightly other touch to the tracks by still fitting in the context of the album.

The only question is if 21 songs are a bit too much. On the other hand, they are all good, profiting from a dynamic and powerful production. So, who cares. Each of these songs hit bulls eye and that's what counts.

What's amazing is the fact that Projected is a side project only. These songs would deserve to be performed live since they belong to the best alternative metal brought up to surface over the last years. "Ignite My Insanity" is loud, heavy, soulful and enthralling. This album is a 'must' for Sevendust- and Alter Bridge-fans.

(9/10)

Tracklist:

CD 1:

1. Strike
2. Reload
3. Six Feet Below
4. Vain
5. Rectify
6. Faith
7. Gomorrah
8. Heaven Above
9. 10 Years Gone
10. Only

CD 2:

1. Fire
2. Ignite
3. Call Me the Devil
4. Concede
5. Inhuman
6. Better
7. Hate You Back
8. Upside Down
9. Seconds
10. Inside the Sun
11. Battlestations

Label: Rat Pak Records

Genre: Modern Metel

Release Date EU: August 18th, 2017

(*/10) I think it’s impossible to get a better overview of Alter Bridge’s creative achievements than what is captured on this comprehensive 3-CD package. Not only that this release captures the entire live show that band performed in London’s O2 Arena on November 24^th, 2016 – it also comes with a third disc that features special goodies. Two previously unreleased songs ("Cruel Sun” and “Solace”), both coming out of the “One Day Remains”-session will bring some new to the table. “Breathe” is a third song taken from those days, having been a bonus for the Best Buy version for “The Last Hero”. Next to these tracks there are  some more songs on disc number three, all having been Japan-only releases up-to-date.

The two first CD’s, capturing the London show, provide a pretty good overview of Alter Bridge’s discography. “The Last Hero”, as being the band’s latest and extremely successful studio album, got the biggest part on the setlist. But also earlier songs got enough attention. Five tunes from the great “Blackbird” record have been performed that night as well as another four numbers taken from “Fortress, incl. the excellent “Addicted to Pain”.

If you’re a fan of Alter Bridge you will go for this longplayer anyhow and if you’re a fan of rock music who wants to get an idea of what Alter Bridge is about, you can easily close this presonal gap by listening to this well-done live album.

(*/10)

Tracklist:

CD1       

1. The Writing on the Wall
2. Come to Life
3. Addicted to Pain
4. Ghost of Days Gone By
5. Cry of Achilles
6. The Other Side
7. Farther Than the Sun
8. Ties That Blind
9. Water Rising
10. Crows on a Wire
11. Watch Over You (solo acoustic)

CD2       

1. Isolation
2. Blackbird
3. Metalingus
4. Open Your Eyes
5. Show Me A Leader
6. Rise Today
7. Poison in Your Veins
8. My Champion

CD3

1. Breathe
2. Cruel Sun
3. Solace
4. New Way To Live
5. The Damage Done
6. We Don't Care at All
7. Zero
8. Home
9. Never Borne To Follow
10. Never Say Die (Outright)
11. Symphony Of Agony (The Last of Our Kind)        

Label: Napalm Records

Genre: Alternative Metal

Release Date EU: September 8^th, 2017

(9/10) It was in an interview I had with Mark Tremonti at the end of last year when he mentioned that the beginning of 2016 will be the starting point for working on the next Alter Bridge album. Having heard this excitement was pretty high and now, nine months later, the new record is out there in the shops.

"The Last Hero” is the name of the longplayer that includes 13 new and exciting songs, reflecting 100% Alter Bridge.

Alter Bridge is one of hese bands that shows what you can achieve if they are more than just four highly competent musicians. This quartet is forming one unit that stands like a rock. It feels like there is a generic understanding of each other’s strengths which makes each Alter Bridge album to a goodie-bag of great alternative metal songs. In this context it doesn't matter if the guys are involved in other bands - Tremonti with his solo project and Myles Kennedy also being part of Slash's band. The guys get together and internal chemistry does the job.

So, what can we say about "The Last Hero"? It wasn't an easy thing to set a next step after having released the very successful "Fortress" longplayer three years ago. However, the four guys managed and they made this next step with the new album. It's the general theme about leaders and heros that characterizes this record and it's all the typical Alter Bridge trademarks that are constantly present. What makes "The Last Hero" slightly different is the fact that the album has less of a dark expression than it was with "Fortress" and the range of sound variations got a bit wider, all this still in the framework of what we know form this fourpiece.

"Show me a Leader" was the first song that was unveiled from the new longplayer and it became the opener too. The songs marks a great start into this longplayer since it combines great vocal lines with the typical Alter Bridge heaviness, created by Tremonti's guitar and a more than robust rhythm foundation done by Brian Marshall and Scott Phillips.

Themewise the opener is addressing good leadership and a need for heroes and therefor the lyrics of "The Writing on the Wall" are more than just decoration. Ignoring signs of things going wrong these days are ignored, leading to nothing better in the future. The tune itself is a heavy one with an awesome chorus.

One of the more atmospheric songs on the album is "My Champion" which is a quite commercial one. It comes has a more melodic rock expression than a metal approach, but who cares. Listening to the guys and the way how they interpret this catchy tune is great, esp. Myles Kennedy doing a great job. A tune that comes with a similar expression is called "You Will Be Remembered". It's a track that's kept in a more moderate pace, belonging to the more soulful moments on "The Last Hero". In this sense it can be compared with "The Side of Fate"" that follows a similar pattern. Interesting with the latter is the silent acoustic section halfway down the road.

Next to these tracks the majority of "The Last Hero" is built on heavy stuff. The mentioned opening duo of songs belongs to this category but also numbers like "Poison in Your Veins", the gloomy "Crows on a Wire" that includes an excellent Tremonti riff and slower creeping "The Other Side" are alternative metal pearls that no one can do better than Alter Bridge.

What I like with this band is, that their sound has an own identity. You're listening to a song and you immediately identify it as being from Alter Bridge. Secondly, in this given framework, the four-piece has enough space for giving the tracks different expressions. Some of the songs are harder, some are more melodic, some are more soulful, but all of them are living up to the bands trademark.

With all the other commitments and obligations Alter Bridge didn't have endless time for working on this album. Things have been done in a rather short amount of time with a result that is jaw-dropping. It shows that time isn't the only factor for delivering quality. Hard work and a lot of passion are equally important. Great guys, great band, great album.

(9/10)

Tracklist:

1. Show me a Leader
2. The Writing on the Wall
3. The Other Side
4. My Champion
5. Poison in your Veins
6. Cradle to the Grave
7. Loosing Patience
8. The Side of Fate
9. You Will be Remembered
10. Crows on a Wire
11. Twilight
12. Island of Fools
13. The Last Hero

Label: Napalm Records

Genre: Alternative Metal

Release Date EU: October 7th, 2016

Three years after "Fortress" has been shipped for the first time to the record shops it's time for a new Alter Bridge album. October this year is the moment of truth when Mark Tremonti and friends will release their fifth album.

The band will be also on tour with some shows being headlined by Alter Bridge while some others are together with Danish rockers Volbeat. See here all the details:

With: Special Guest TBC, Like A Storm
Fri 4th Nov - BILBAO, Spain - Santana 27
Sat 5th Nov - BARCELONA, Spain - Razzmatazz
Tue 8th Nov - PARIS, France - Zenith
Wed 9th Nov - BRUSSELS, Belgium - AB
Thu 10th Nov - AMSTERDAM, Holland - HMH
Sun 13th Nov - BERLIN, Germany - Columbiahalle
Mon 14th Nov - VIENNA, Austria - Gasometer
Wed 16th Nov - KATOWICE, Poland - Spodek
Sun 20th Nov - OSLO, Norway - Sentrum Scene
Mon 21st Nov - COPENHAGEN, Denmark - Vega Main Hall

With: Volbeat, Gojira, Like A Storm
Wed 23rd Nov - MANCHESTER, England - Arena
Thu 24th Nov - LONDON, England - O2 Arena
Sat 26th Nov - NOTTINGHAM, England - Motorpoint Arena
Sun 27th Nov - BIRMINGHAM, England - Genting Arena
Mon 28th Nov - CARDIFF, Wales - Motorpoint Arena
Thu 1st Dec - GLASGOW, Scotland - Hydro
Fri 2nd Dec - LEEDS, England - First Direct Arena

With: Gojira, Like A Storm
Sun 4th Dec - FRANKFURT, Germany - Jahrhunderthalle
Mon 5th Dec - COLOGNE, Germany - Palladium
Tue 6th Dec - HAMBURG, Germany - Mehrl Theater
Fri 9th Dec - BOLOGNA, Italy - Unipol Arena
Sat 10th Dec - MUNICH, Germany - Zenith
Sun 11th Dec - BASEL, Switzerland - Jakobshalle

(8/10) Mark Tremonti releases his highly anticipated new solo album "Dust" in the coming days, which is, I guess, a great moment for all fans of the iconic guitarist. "Dust" was recorded already during the "Cauterize" session. Tremonti had material for two full-length records and what makes more sense than splitting it up into two releases. By doing this Tremonti can easily bridge the waiting time till the next Alter Bridge album will see the light of day somewhere later this year.

"Dust" comes with 10 tracks that aren't throw-outs from the "Cauterize" session. Each of the tunes on "Dust" can easily handle a comparison with the predecessor.

The album starts pretty heavy. "My Last Mistake" is the name of the opener that is introduced by an enormous riff. This song is real stuff for headbangers and one of the most powerful tracks on the album. I like these downtuned riffs "The Last Mistake" provides. And I like that Tremonti has chosen this number as the opener. It's a real energizer that brings you into the right mood for the upcoming nine songs.

"The Cage" includes the pleasure of slow, almost Sabbath-like, riffs in the middle part before Tremonti unveils again his virtuosity. In the end it's a typical Tremonti song that's spiced-up a bit.

"Once Dead" doesn't sound very optimistic and indeed, it's one of the darker tracks on the album that has some raging instrumental parts combined with a melodic chorus. This interplay give the tune the tension needed and it shows why Tremonti once said that the harder tracks become Tremonti ones.

The title track has an acoustic beginning and spreads a certain ease, something that doesn't last for too long. But to my surprise it's not a giant break that kills the silence. The tune slowly builds up to a moderate paced Tremonti song that is beautiful. It's a song that differs a bit from the rest of the album and I'm surprised that "Dust" became the name giver for the entire album. Anyhow, an emotional moment on "Dust" and a good song too.

"Catching Fire" starts gloomy and dark, something that characterizes the entire song, esp. in the verse. Towards the end it gets more soulful again. "Unable to See" is more a rock song than a metal track, at least in the beginning. After such a soulful start things get harder again and the tune develops into a real anthem that should become a fix part of the Tremonti setlist.

"Dust" offers what you expect, well done Tremonti songs that are slightly harder than Alter Bridge. Each of the tracks is a little highlight in itself and the entire album will be a treat for each Tremonti/Alter Bridge fan.

(8/10)

Tracklist:

1. My Last Mistake
2. The Cage
3. Once Dead
4. Dust
5. Betray Me
6. Tore my Heat Out
7. Catching Fire
8. Never Wrong
9. Rising Storm
10. Unable to See

Label: Fret12 Records

Genre: Alternative Metal

Release Date EU: April 29th, 2016

(7/10) Some good news from Belgium, metal outfit Fields Of Troy released their album "Hardship" which sounds pretty good. It's actually the band's second disc recorded by the renewed band (only bassist Jürgen Elias is still on board). The debut was published already back in 2011 and was named "Black Rain".

The sound of Fields Of Troy can be described as alternative metal that sounds more American than Belgium.

After a short intro the 'real' album begins. "Cold Eyes" is the name of the opener that reminds of some Tool in the verse. It's the intonation that leads to this comparison while the guitars are very much US-inspired alternative metal.

"402" is one of the more aggressive song with some screams from frontman Louis Soenens included. Still the melodic parts don't go short. Especially the chorus is an almost catchy one, but however, the mighty riffs are definitely in the forefront.

Talking about riffs, there is a lot of Tremonti in Fields Of Troy's sound. The mentioned opener "Cold Eyes" is one of these tracks and "By Now" is another. The latter comes with some female vocals done by Mayken Hoessen which results in a song that has some potential and might get some airplay.

"The Passenger" is a more silent track that is a well placed break in the middle of the tracklist.

To sum up: Good album, good musicians, good rock music.

(7/10)

Tracklist:

1. Intro
2. Cold Eyes
3. 402
4. Chapel of Hate
5. Copper Shores
6. The Passage
7. Sting
8. By Now (feat. Mayan Hoessen)
9. Static Flow (Bonus)

Label: Dice Industries

Genre: Alternative Metal

Release Date EU: February 28th, 2016

Tremonti announced a few festival dates for Europe. Here they are:

27/5/16 - GER, Gelsenkirschen Rock in Revier

29/5/15 - GER, Munich Rockavaria 

05/6/16 - AUT, Vienna Rock In Vienna 

10/6/16 - FRA, Paris Download 

12/6/16 - UK, Download Fest

17/6/16 - FRA, Clisson Hellfest

19/6/16 - Bel, Graspop

24/6/16 - DEN, Copenhagen Copenhell 

As Mark Tremonti mentioned in a recent interview with MHMB, Alter Bridge is working on a new album that will be released in autumn this year. The album will be, again, produced by Michael 'Elvis' Baskette.

But there is even more to report. Fans have asked in the past for exclusive Alter Bridge packages which are now available.

Guitarist Mark Tremonti mentioned: „Gearing up for AB V, we are happy to be able to offer our fans a few of the things they have asked us for in the past. As a band we also tried to come up with a few unique items which I feel are the ultimate collector's items!” Singer Myles Kennedy added: „We are very excited to offer these exclusive and unique opportunities for the Alter Bridge fans as we begin the next chapter of our journey!”

An overview of all the offered packages can be found on FRET 12. It's worth to have a look at it.

The Billboard magazine posted an article about a possible reunion of Guns'n'Roses. The music magazine wrote: "Guns N’ Roses, with founding members Axl Rose and Slash, will headline the Coachella Music & Arts Festival in Indio, Calif., set for April 15-17 and April 22-24, according to multiple sources.". Read the entire article via the link below.

Something interesting in this context might be the fact that Slash singer Myles Kennedy is anyhow busy with Alter Bridge in 2016. This is something Alter Bridge guitarist Mark Tremonti mentioned to Markus' Heavy Music Blog in an interview the other day.

Let's wait and see.

Markus' Heavy Music Blog met Alter Bridge and Tremonti mainman Mark Tremonti for an interview before he entered the stage in Tilburg, Holland for a sold-out show with his solo project. The iconic guitarist talked about the current tour that led the band through Europe. Mark Tremonti also explained a few more details when it comes to new albums of Tremonti and Alter Bridge. Read here what the guitar player and melody writer has to tell.

Markus' Heavy Music Blog (MHMB): You are on tour in Europe right now, and there are two more shows to go. How was it?

Mark Tremonti (MT): It was great so far. We love touring in Europe since we have some of our real die-hard fans over here.

MHMB: You played, as you do today , in smaller venues. Some of those venues had been sold out rather quick. Have you guys underestimated the popularity of the Tremonti project?

MT: There are a couple of instances that led to this situation. One of them is that we changed agents in the middle of booking this tour. By the time we had our new agent on board some of the large rooms were taken already. This venue (Mark is referring to the 013) specifically, we were trying to get into the larger room but another band had booked it and they wouldn’t switch. We actually played the larger venue the last time we were here and we sold that one out too. But it wasn’t available this time, so we decided to go anyway and play the smaller venue. The same thing happened in Scotland where the show sold out really quickly too.

MHMB: I could imagine that the smaller sold out venues have a kind of special magic, that can’t be compared with the big stages. Does it make any difference for you if it’s a smaller venue or one of the bigger stages?

MT: Actually I like them both, and I like to switch between the two, as long as the stage isn’t too small, so that we can move. Sometimes smaller venues can also be really loud so that it hurts your ears a lot. Something you have less with bigger ones. But this one here, is a perfect little mix. It’s not too small, it’s not too big. It’s a fun, high energy type looking venue.

MHMB: You come back to Holland quite often. You recorded an Alter Bridge show in Amsterdam for a DVD release, you played the Melkweg in Amsterdam earlier this year and now, you have two shows with Tremonti before Christmas. It seems you like playing in Holland.

MT: Indeed. We’ll never come over to Europe without playing here. There are certain countries we not going to miss. It will not happen that we will not go to England or Germany; and the same goes for Holland. It’s just one of the key places for us.

MHMB: Next to playing the guitar you’re also the singer for Tremonti. How does this double function work for you, especially during live shows?

MT: It actually had strange effect on my guitar playing. When I toured Alter Bridge I’m highly focussed on everything around guitar which sometimes makes you play worse. Now, with Tremonti, when I’m less concerned about the guitar and more concerned about singing, I play better. I think it was Bill Murray who once said that “Don’t take yourself too seriously. Just let it happen“. So, doing the solo project has really let me open my eyes on how to approach guitar playing. I used to go over solos over and over again before each show. Now, I just go on stage and improvise which makes the flow much easier.

MHMB: What brought you to the decision of being also the singer? Was it something consciously decided or something that just happened and felt right??

MT: No, I wanted to sing. I was already in two bands with other singers. I have been a songwriter since I was a young lad and I love melodies. You could say I’m a melody writer, that’s why I wanted to sing this time. One of the biggest frustrations in my career is that people see me as a guitar player. I’m a songwriter and a melody writer That’s why it was good to find a way to also sing.

MHMB: How do you make a distinction between songs for Alter Bridge and those for your solo band? I guess at a certain moment you have an idea that could become a song … and then?

MT: Well, the only thing that really separates it is, if it is super heavy metal sounding, something that sounds like a speed metal kind of idea, it goes towards Tremonti solo stuff. Some other song ideas are more atmospheric with a lot of space for a big vocals. Those I save for Myles because he can do it more justice. He is great at the big atmospheric soaring songs. So sometimes the songs with the big arrangements and a lots of space I would like to leave for Alter Bridge.

MHMB: Tremonti songs are quite different. “Armed yourself“ is almost speed metal, “Dark Trip“ is kept quite slow and partly quiet while „Flying Monkey“ reminds of Soundgarden. Is this width of style reflecting your influences?

MT: I love Soundgarden. But, I would say it starts early on with listening to what my folks were listening to. We listened to Rod Steward and Gerry Rafferty - all this oldschool 70’s soft rock, which I still like a lot. As I got older, bands like Soundgarden and Alice In Chains became my favorites. Also, the first Nirvana record really blew me away. Those are the most mainstream kind of albums. But, my main influences are Metallica, Slayer, Celtic Frost and Black Flag. So, I love the heavy stuff but I love the melodic stuff as well.

MHMB: Talking about Grunge, it started with Creed and continued with Alter Bridge that your sound is described as 'post grunge'. Would you describe it the same way or are you annoyed by this term?

MT: I would say it’s true in the Alice In Chains / Soundgarden department. But what frustrated me most, is when people compared us with Pearl Jam, because I sound nothing like Pearl Jam, on the guitar or songwriting-wise. I think it is just because people heard a connection between Scott’s voice and Eddie Vedder’s voice. But, if you listen to the music, it sounds nothing like Pearl Jam. That really annoyed me. As far as it is about Soundgarden and Alice In Chains, those are two of my most favorite bands ever. I consider Soundgarden as being less grunge and more as an alternative / punk / rock sound. I can’t really explain it better, but they have their own sound. With Alice In Chains I love the melodies a lot. I think that Jerry Cantrell is one of the greatest melody writers and I love what he does.

MHMB: Two more shows to go and then I guess you’re going back home. How will you celebrate Christmas?

MT: Yes. I will go back home to Orlando/Florida to celebrate Christmas with the family.

MHMB: What can we expect from Tremonti and Alter Bridge in 2016?

MT: First of all there will be a new Alter Bridge album. I’m writing everyday on it and after the holiday period Myles will fly in second half of January. We start writing together, get into the studio and record through till April. When April hits, we will drop our next Tremonti record “Dust“, the new album that’s already finished. When we went into the studio last time, we recorded 20 songs and split them up into two, ten songs albums. After having released the album we will come back to Europe to tour on “Dust“. Then, I go home, I turn right around, 're-learn‘ all the Alter Bridge stuff and go on tour with Alter Bridge.

MHMB: That means, it will become a very busy 2016. Great to hear that there are new records coming in the new year.

MT: Yes, and maybe Myles will release his solo record too. Who knows.

MHMB: With such a full agenda, it sounds like co-ordinating times and dates is more than a challenge.

MT: We are just going to make sure that, once we get back on the Alter Bridge schedule, we will have an eighteen month period with having this band as the first priority. There will be other activities too in this period, but, Alter Bridge always comes first. And then, once this cycle is over, it will turn around where Slash and Tremonti is in focus for the next eighteen months.

MHMB: Now, while having the chance of talking to you, I have to ask you the question about Creed. There are rumors of a Creed reunion. Is there any truth in it?

MT: Right now I just don’t have time, you know. I look two years into the future and I’ll still be busy. So, if it would happen it would have to be in some time from now.

MHMB: Mark, thanks for your time and  we're looking forward to 2016.

MT: Thanks for having me.

Thanks to Diane Bale for support.

(8/10) Alter Bridge guitarist Mark Tremonti released his highly appreciated solo debut a few years ago. The album was called "All I was" and contained songs that have been very good, but didn't really fit to Tremonti's main band.

1. Radical change
2. Flying monkey
3. Cauterize
4. Arm yourself
5. Dark trip
6. Another heart
7. Falling again
8. Tie the nose
9. Sympathy
10. Providence