blackholesunshower

Alter Bridge (self-titled) Review

by Emily Wagner

Alter Bridge is the best rock band you’ve never heard of. If you’re looking for catchy riffs, melodic choruses, soaring vocals, and contemplative lyrics, look no further! They released their highly-anticipated eighth studio album, self titled Alter Bridge, January 9, 2026, and this one has a little something for every rock fan.

Myles Kennedy (lead vocals, lyricist, rhythm/lead guitarist), Mark Tremonti (lead guitarist, vocalist, lyricist), Scott Phillips (drums), and Brian Marshall (bass) have done it again. AB8, as I like to call it, opens with their first single, Silent Divide.

It opens with a heavy, catchy riff then pulls back and explodes into the lyrics, “How long will you hold your tongue this time, as your good name is tarnished by these painted lies. The only way the truth will see the light is exposing guilty martyr of the sins he hides…” Herein lies one of the prevalent themes of the album, and all of AB’s catalog: truth wins over lies. 9/10

Rue the Day immediately stands out. Myles gives a dark vocal performance, restrained and low as he sings, “The Devil tries to play the saint.” Then, “Breathe it in, breathe it out. It’s up to you. Stand your ground. Don’t let him get his way.… in the end there’s not doubt you’re gonna live to rue the day.” According to the Cambridge Dictionary, rue the day means to feel very sorry about an event. Don’t scorn Alter Bridge! 9/10

The third track, Power Down, will have you on your feet banging your head for all four minutes eight seconds as the drums and guitars pound it out with such intensity that is primed for live performing. Power Down has some of the best lyrics, “Stop for a minute. Take a little bit of time… don’t let this moment pass you by …. See what you might find, A life that is so beautiful was right there all along.” About half way through the song takes a breath before shredding into an epic guitar solo by Mark Tremonti. His guitar is essentially part of his body and he controls it as such. His fingers fly as they take full control of his instrument and put the listener into a joyous trance. Myles KILLS it on vocals. His control is insane and the nuances on the notes are as good as it gets. 10/10

The fourth track. Trust in Me, opens at a slower, contemplative tempo. Both lead and rhythm guitars play off each other with a smattering of cymbals. The lyrics speak of deranged intentions, contempt, and shifting blame. This is a darker song, but the chorus, …”a voice from inside comes alive bringing hope…” changes that. Mark Tremonti emerges and provides the “foil” to Myles’s darkness. He proclaims, “Set your worries free, put your hand in mine, till the day is done.” This technique has been used before (Waters Rising, Stay), their vocals play different characters, good vs. evil -and it works so well. The last minute shifts into hope. The clouds part and the listener can’t help but feel more optimistic. 10/10

The album’s shortest track comes next. Disregarded is a metal masterpiece. Myles starts at almost a whisper, mentioning schemes and being left in the cold. The bass riffs are heavy. “I should have known from the start, I’d be disregarded…. with the truth disgarded again.” Then a break… and Myles sings “NO WAY.” The song gets even heavier towards the middle. The bass plays a big part in that. Way to go, Brian! “Tell me why…. you always lie!” Truth and lies again. These guys do not being lied to. Mark kills it once again on the solo, but this time the drums really kick in to assist. Wow. It’s a catchy tune that will stick in your head for years to come. 10/10

Tested and Able opens HARD, then parlays into Mark’s melodic voice, bringing a tear to the eye! This fan couldn’t be prouder of everything he’s accomplished. Myles enters at the chorus. Their harmonizing is top notch. “Break away with me… together we go… leave it all behind. What will we gain? Or what will we find?” This screams Tremonti, and this fan is HERE FOR IT! Initially, it felt more Tremonti solo material with Myles as a guest vocalist, but it is classic AB. “I know you always fear the worse!” Myles sings out. “You know this doesn’t have to hurt. This road is paved with empty words. I hope in time you live and learn.” Wow. As always, these guys remind us that if we stick together, anything is possible. 10/10

The seventh song, What Lies Within, is one of the released singles. It’s deep and dark. Evil, disease, “What lies witin, beneath the skin, something so dark and foreboding.” It’s a warning about sick men and how “we fall for their lies.” Interpret that as you will, but it speaks of an underlying evil that will come out if you don’t watch out! “Don’t give in, just breathe, knowing all the while, that you hold the key to your piece of mind!!!!!” Myles unleashes the octaves and Mark’s solo brings awe to the listener’s ears. Release the anger. Move on. Easier said than done, Alter Bridge! 9/10

The melodic tone shifts dramatically with Hang By a Thread, which within the first thirty seconds harkens to Watch Over You, another powerful ballad by Alter Bridge. It has a slow twang. “I can’t bear the weight of this no more… these bloodshot eyes are battle worn.” But you can’t keep a good man down, as Myles sings…. The chorus is the highlight of this one. “You know I hang by a thread, you never keep a good man down. You know you push to the end, it’s time for me to stand my ground.” The melody is so beautiful, heartbreaking, uplifting, all once. “You’ll never hurt me again. No, you won’t keep this good man down.” Myles, you ARE a good man. Maybe he’ll play this one solo, too? Thank you! 10/10

Scales are Falling is arguably the biggest style departure for Alter Bridge. It opens with a haunting guitar and kicks into thumping drums and Myles’s “evil voice” warning of the”…. wicked hearts and minds of men.” The band is firing on all cylinders here, drums, bass, guitars and vocals blend together so smoothly. Myles’s voice kicks up an octave or two when he sings,” I am scared as hell.” He is a genius at manipulating his vocals to emmulate the emotional tone of the song. The guitar solo seems inspired by Mark’s love of 80s soft rock. After that the tempo picks up. Perhaps this is about the scales of justice, or someone finally opening their eyes to the truth. Either way, this song is epic and appreciated for its unique style, tone, and themes. 10/10

Playing Aces is one of the best tracks. the drums and rollicking guitars make it a real banger. Solid rock and roll all the way. “I hope in time, I can be a better man. I cannot fold, I’ll take a chance.” Again, the theme of being a “better man.” Alter Bridge leans on this theme a lot. Redemption is never off the table. No matter how much you’ve “messed up,” there is always tomorrow. Don’t give up! 10/10

The eleventh track, What Are You Waiting For, brings back the element of redemption. There is “hell to pay.” “What are you waiting for? Tell it to my face. You’re just a coward scorned. A bully on parade…” Again, someone has really pissed off Alter Bridge! This one is angry. the guitars wail in the background like nails on a chalkboard, adding to the angry energy. The guitar solo and drums POUND the listener into submission. “Alone. Alone….. with no one left to blame but yourself.” I told you so, says Alter Bridge. “Atone… for all the ways you put us through hell.” Perhaps a nod to former record labels, or anyone else who’s done harm to others. 8/10

Slave to Master closes out the album in epic fashion. “The new machine has left us out to dry.” Alter Bridge has mentioned machines before. Some listeners interpret this machine as AI and its harmful effects. “Regardless of the death within, it’s not too late to start again. Please give us a sign, while we still have time,” Mark and Myles harmonize beautifully in the first minute and a half. Then, a pause, and in comes the riff. Oh, the riff! Get ready to HEADBANG! This one will be so great live! “We all fear the worst, and it’s too late to turn back now.” Hints of Metallica’s Master of Puppets throughout (Mark’s favorite album) mesh seamlessly with Alter Bridge’s classic sound. “We must fight till the end!!!!” Myles sings as the song grows restless… the cymbals tap. “***Fools and tyrants stay behind us. Watch and learn as it falls.” Halfway through Myles comes back “Fight to atone,” he says (which he mentioned in the previous track. “It’s out of control, so where do we go, oh oooh … it’s out of control. So where do we go!?” Those words penetrate. Unable to ignore. This is Alter Bridge at its best. They are storytellers at heart and this one tells a brutal one. All hope is gone. So where do we go? This is War. For what? That’s up to interpretation as all great art is. It’s too soon to tell if this one becomes an all time classic like Blackbird that they play at every show, but it’s safe to say that it leaves its mark. ***these may be the wrong lyrics. I’ll fix them if needed***

Overall, Alter Bridge (8) is brilliant. Was it the 5150 studios? Was it the more than twenty years as a band? Was it the times we live in? Is it their best one yet? That’s up to the listener to decide. Once art is in the world, it belongs to the people. SO, what do you think? Drop a comment. See you on the road!