Despite radio playing it less and despite poor album sales and despite country and acoustic music gaining attention, the rock will not die. Old bands like Ratt, Saxon, and ZZ Top are still rocking. New bands like Crobot, Coldrain, and I Prevail are flying the flag for new rock. This post will review the latest album by Alter Bridge entitled
The Last Hero which just came out yesterday.
First of all, I am a huge fan of guitarist Mark Tremonti's three solo albums. Singer Myles Kennedy has been sharpening his chops with Slash since 2010 and he is a damn good guitarist in his own right. Both of these guys are incredibly talented and prolific. No, that's not saying it with enough emphasis. Tremonti is a guitar god and Myles is a beast! With bands like Shinedown and 3 Doors Down getting softer as singers age and members change, I think Alter Bridge is the best American hard rock band going right now. In case you've been living under a rock (no pun intended), Alter Bridge formed in 2004 and their debut album
One Day Remains was certified gold mainly due to the single "Open Your Eyes." Second album
Blackbird saw single "Rise Today" reach third on the US Main and US Rock charts. Albums AB III and Fortress were darker and harder rocking which made me really take notice and become a much bigger fan. When I saw them open for Breaking Benjamin and Disturbed on July 31, 2016 they only played for about half an hour and I wished they had gotten more time because they sounded amazing.
The Last Hero builds off of their previous works and also showcases a variety of styles. Tremonti "think[s] it’s a good mixture between
Fortress and
Blackbird; it covers all bases."
1.
Show Me a Leader - The title says it all as the boys in AB beg for some real leaders to step up with this rockin' single.
2.
The Writing on the Wall - This song is even faster and harder rocking and the style that I love from this band. There is no let up in this one as it drives for three minutes until a ripping solo and one more chorus brings it home.
3.
The Other Side - A darker song about a man with a selfish pride that takes him to hell. This must be about Trump.
4.
My Champion - This song teases with a guitar effect that sounds more like REO Speedwagon or Bon Jovi and then gives way to a modern rock masterpiece as anthemic as I've heard from the dynamic duo of Myles and Tremonti.
5.
Poison in Your Veins - Some fretboard gymnastics that comes off way too easy.
6.
Cradle to the Grave - One of the slowest songs on the album, but it has some fast moments too. This song is about the brevity of life and the constant nature of time. These are the kinds of songs that make you reevaluate your life and want to make the most of it.
7.
Losing Patience - A straight up rock song about feeling frustrated.
8.
This Side of Fate - A dynamic song that starts mellow and then builds. It seems to be a call for inner strength and making the tough decisions in life.
9.
You Will Be Remembered - It's a mellow song with impassioned lyrics and a huge sing-a-long chorus. If you think about a mentor or military hero who has passed while listening, you could easily shed a tear.
10.
Crows on a Wire - This one jolts you back into a headbanging mood with some grunge-metal riffs. Then Myles' voice soars and Scott Phillips pounds the skins.
11.
Twilight - straight up rock
12.
Island of Fools - Heavy drumming and up-tempo.
13.
The Last Hero - This song deals with the disillusionment with current leaders and the desire of not wanting to be let down. "Don't let us fall again," the band implores. "Tell me where are the heroes?"
14. (Bonus Track)
Last of Our Kind - A great culmination to this album as there are some melodic moments and some chugging riffs and bass lines.
