Alter Bridge is a name that needs no introduction. Forming in 2004, Myles, Mark, Flip, and Brian have been traveling the globe, selling out arenas, creating amazing music, and maintaining their legacy. Well, their legacy is not slowing down with the band’s latest album, simply titled Alter Bridge. The band chose to make this a self-titled release because the material feels like a true distillation of everything Alter Bridge does best. Nothing here feels rushed; each song is thoughtfully written, carefully structured, and expertly produced from start to finish.
From the very beginning, as the guitar of “Silent Divide” crushes intensely, it becomes apparent that this album is a monster. The identity of Alter Bridge is there, but the identity shapes anew. “Disregarded” is a perfect example of this, as the verses are complemented by this haunting melody and a very low vocal performance leading into a powerful chorus. “Tested and Able” highlights the vocal and musical collaborations between Mark and Myles, with a very heavy riff accompanied by Mark leading us in vocally for the first verse, which leads to a very fun and bouncy chorus. “What Are You Waiting For” is another notable track as it comes in with a headbanging riff but then goes into a darker verse, leading to a confrontation in the chorus. “Hang by a Thread” seems to be the standout ballad on the album. For a bit, the tempo is slowed, but is complemented well by a moving song and seems to peel back the emotional layers of the band. “Slave to Master” is the outro of the album. This song is a great way to put a bow on the album and to wrap it up. Clocking in at just a little over nine minutes, the song never gets stale and continues to keep the listener surprised. Every member of the band is showcased on this one, and it musically summarizes the entire album.
Lyrically, the album can seem dark at times, but the overall theme seems to be about overcoming that darkness in many ways. There may be people in life that we have to confront, or it may be within ourselves. We can’t allow ourselves to get dragged down, whether it be within ourselves or speaking up to those around us. Most songs on the album start out with a bit of darkness, but by the end of the songs, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Alter Bridge wanted us to receive that message loud and clear. They successfully did so.
Overall, this is their best body of work. There is a lot of emotional darkness being touched on, but there is also a lot of light here. The band’s amazing collaborations are on full display from beginning to end. This album was rightfully self-titled, because the band is really able to proudly showcase who Alter Bridge are and not be afraid to peel back the layers and be vulnerable.
