Alter Bridge has officially solidified their spot as the best hard rock band currently producing music today. Throughout their previous threeAlter Bridge has officially solidified their spot as the best hard rock band currently producing music today. Throughout their previous three albums (One Day Remains, Blackbird, ABIII) the band consistently produced quality tunes, with huge, epic riffs and hooks heard in tracks such as "Isolation," "Open Your Eyes," and "Metalingus," among others. It is hard to find a weak track throughout their discography, and this theme continues in "Fortress."
The album opens up with arguably their 2nd best track to date, and 2nd single of the album - "Cry of Achilles." This is a HUGE opener, beginning with a finger picked intro that segues into a gigantic intro riff that sets the tone for the rest of the album. The rest of the track takes you on a wild ride, with a truly epic chorus, a middle section that will throw you off with it's odd time, a classic Myles Kennedy solo, and a closing solo by Mark Tremonti that will leave you in awe. The musicianship here is top-notch, and lets the listener know that it is in for a real treat.
"Addicted to Pain" is the first single from the album, and is a classic hard-rocker with a catchy chorus and head-banging riff that garnered the song significant airplay. As hard as this song rocks, it is doesn't even rank in the top half of the album, which is a testament to the quality of this album from start to finish.
"Bleed it Dry" imposes itself upon the listener next in a big way, with a huge, heavy riff blazing right from the beginning. After more **** by Tremonti and excellent vocals during the exploding chorus by Kennedy, the song breaks down into a slower passage with some jazzy chords played by Kennedy. This establishes the base for the best guitar solo on the album to play over, and Tremonti really demonstrates his versatility as a lead guitarist here. Crank the volume up for this solo, the climax almost rivals that of "Blackbird."
"Lover" slows things down, and gives Myles Kennedy a chance to demonstrate why he is one of the best frontmen in music with this dark, melancholic-yet-anthemic tune. The pre-chorus riff will have you rhythmically headbanging, before the closing section of the tune will leave you speechless, in vintage Alter Bridge vocal-climax fashion.
"The Uninvited," a moderate-paced, Tool-sounding track kicks in next, and is a solid track in the middle of the album. Nothing fancy here, just textbook Alter Bridge **** and musicianship. It is important to note the progressive-metal feeling of the song, as this has been a theme over the last two albums for the band and demonstrates the band's musical progression.
Next up is "Peace is Broken," and this one features a blisteringly fast legato riff with yet another huge chorus. One of my personal favorites from the album, it rocks hard from start to finish, and concludes with some Tremonti shreddage that will leave you satisfied.
"Calm the Fire" is unlike any AB song before it, and is one that takes time to appreciate how great it truly is. The hypnotic opening vocal line and underlying arpeggios set the stage for what could be Alter Bridge's strongest lyrical work, dealing with racism and bigotry in today's society - "When I close my eyes, I dream that we are color blind, and now you know you can't deny, only ignorance to blame."
"Water's Rising" is yet another personal favorite, and features Mark Tremonti on lead vocals with Kennedy harmonizing in the gargantuan, apocalyptic chorus. Great ****, solid progression, and textbook Tremonti solo before a doomy outro that will leave you thoroughly impressed (seems to be a trend with this album).
The heaviest song on the album with a bit of a swing feel to boot, "Farther than the Sun" gets the blood pumping and head banging with a huge riff and chorus before treating you to a great trade-off solo between Kennedy and Tremonti. Very solid track.
"Cry a River," although still a quality tune, is the most forgettable on "Fortress." Even still, it redeems itself with a phenomenal solo from Tremonti at the end.
"All Ends Well" is the only track that would have fit on "One Day Remains," and gives you a chance to catch your breath, bringing you back up with a uniquely uplifting chorus after an otherwise dark and heavy rest of the album. Vintage Alter Bridge here, reminding you of tracks such as "Life Must Go On," and also of the fact that Myles Kennedy can flat out sing.
"Fortress," the next and final track, is the perfect bookend to the album along with "Cry of Achilles." This Alter Bridge's "One," or "Hangar 18," if you will. The longest track on the album, it features an exploding chorus that will have you singing along out of impulse and a middle section that constitutes Alter Bridge's best instrumental work since the solo section of "Blackbird."
The one word that I tried not to overuse while writing this review, but best describes the album is "epic." Give it a few listens, let it grow, and you see why and bang your head for months.… Expand