Alter Bridge, juggernauts of the hard rock scene, have just released their eighth full-length album. After 20 years of consistent, high-quality output and touring arenas across the US and Europe, the band have marked the occasion with a self-titled release, Alter Bridge. The name fits, as it delivers all that we have come to expect from the veteran quartet, and then some.
Alter Bridge – Alter Bridge
Release Date: 9 January 2026
Words: Ben Roberts
Fans will remember the magnificent Blackbird album and 2010’s AB III as part of a golden age for the band, with the single Blackbird receiving such critical acclaim that Guitarist placed it at No. 1 on their list of greatest guitar solos of all time. Well, in a recent interview, guitarist Mark Tremonti claimed that the band were looking to that era in particular for inspiration on this record.
The influence is clear, with the album opener Silent Divide kicking into gear with a distinctive palm-muted riff, courtesy of Myles Kennedy, vocalist-guitarist extraordinaire. The production is slick and professional, as expected.
Did I mention there are two guitar solos on this track? The first features a spine-tingling descending scale that peels off Kennedy’s vocals into the aether. The second explodes in an epic crescendo to end a promising opener.
Rue The Day follows this tough act with dark, apocalyptic chords that meet you face-first as you walk into the song. By the bridge, the song is lighter, the drums more firm now than thunderous, and Tremonti serenades us with an understated yet moving guitar solo. Which then explodes into delicious shredding.
This pace continues into Power Down, which is named so for a reason. The heaviness of this hard rock group remains turned up to the max, as Kennedy sings lyrics about someone pushing themselves to their limit. Scott Phillips reflects that intensity in the drumwork, with his sheer pace and red-hot fills.
After this powerful trio of tracks, a touch of something else is needed. Thankfully, the next song is Trust In Me. The song morphs about halfway through and becomes lighter, more melodic. It is a treat to hear Kennedy singing in such an empty soundscape, and the melody and lyrics here are top-tier.
We return to the regularly scheduled rocking with Disregarded, which is catchy and uplifting in its own way, with a ringing riff intro and ambient guitar work along the verses. Then, Tested And Able, a fairly unique tune, as we are treated to Mark Tremonti on vocals.
It is refreshing to hear Tremonti exercise his vocal chops, which bring a different but still awesome flavour. It opens with yet another hard-hitting riff, which is a little at odds with the reflective lyrics and melancholy tone of the song.
Next, we get What Lies Within, which is much the same as the previous songs. However, it exchanges a catchier chorus for slightly less compelling verses. There is also a cool switching of tempo on the guitar and drums, as they move rapidly to start and suddenly pull backwards and continue at a much slower tempo. It has a cool effect, almost pulling you into the vocal, which stays at the same speed.
Hanging By A Thread is a down-on-your-luck tune, which will hit you right if you listen to it in the corresponding state of mind. If not in that place, the song might land a glancing blow and not have much impact. But it is there, and it is classic Alter Bridge. It is slow throughout, and feels to me like a natural bridge to the final act of the album.
Scales Are Falling is an interesting song. It opens with dissonant guitar notes full of reverb, before hopping into a sea-shanty-like chorus (trust me). Then, at exactly three minutes, the best portion of the album begins.
Everything falls away. Tremonti rises. The backing instrumental is lush, the drums a slow beating heart, and the guitar solo is out of this world. This song is going into my playlist just for that moment.
Strangely, another song changes at the three-minute mark, What Are You Waiting For. The first half for me feels lacklustre. However, the second comes out of a much more inspired bridge with a simple, descending riff that leads cleanly into the final chorus.
Playing Aces stands out as the song with the strongest lyrical idea. It treats life, or love, as a card game. “You call my bluff tonight, I raise you with a smile.” Another great line, “It is time for resolve and rebirth” speaks to the album as a whole. The quality of the song concept here almost ousts some of the other tracks, where lyrical ideas are less explored.
The album closes with the epic track, Slave To Master. A gentle introduction where Kennedy sings to quiet instrumentation gives way to the moshiest riff on the album. The band takes us to many places on this nine-minute voyage, devilish basslines, high vocal flights, but Tremonti gets the last word with a mesmerising two-minute solo.
The album ends with a question, “Where do we go?” In the case of Alter Bridge, it is not difficult to answer. This album is monumental, Kennedy himself referring to it as “a place where we can plant our flag.”
It does not reinvent the wheel or the band, but instead reinforces what has made Alter Bridge great for all these years.
To support the release the band have announced the What Lies Within Tour, a 31 date European run featuring special guests Daughtry and Sevendust. The trek begins on 15 January in Hamburg and winds across Scandinavia, Central Europe and the Mediterranean before hitting the UK and Ireland for a final stretch of arena shows. Tickets are available from here.
