Listen in today’s world of Pro Tools and studio technology it’s easy to make mediocre sound good. The true test is can the band pull it off live? With Alter Bridge’s latest release, Live At The O2 Arena + Rarities the quartet show they are the real deal with a performance of the ages for thousands of UK fans.
Coming off The Last Hero Tour that saw Alter Bridge play to packed theaters across North American and Arenas over the pond the band delivers Live At The O2 Arena + Rarities. Captured at London’s 20,000 seat O2 Arena, Alter Bridge provide fans with a 19-song setlist spanning their decade plus, 5 album career. That milestone performance provides insight into one of the most dominating forces in Europe today. If you ever want to know what’s hot in metal just pay attention to what’s happening on the European scene as they are way ahead of the curve and Alter Bridge is happening.
Myles Kennedy (lead vocals, guitar), Mark Tremonti (lead guitar, vocals), Scott Phillips (drums) and Brian Marshall (bass) give fans an amazing live experience as they rip through hits including “Show Me A Leader”, “Rise Today” and AB III’s “Isolation” providing fans with as close to a live experience as possible without actually being there. Not stopping there Alter Bridge show us their diversity with an acoustic version of “Watch Over You” with some amazing crowd participation and the Mark Tremonti vocal lead “Waters Rising”. For the wrestling fan, you’ll be happy to hear Edge’s theme song “Metalingus”. And of course, no Alter Bridge show would be complete without the single that put them on the map “Blackbird”, containing what is considered one of the greatest guitar solos of all time. 
The quartet didn’t stop there, on top of the 19-song live set fans will also be able to indulge in an additional full-length album of “Rarities”. This includes the melodic, never-before released “Cruel Sun” and the lighter side, “Solace”, reminiscent of tracks such as “Wonderful Life” or “Watch Over You”. Other rarities include 7 other songs that previously have only been released in Japan as well as “Breathe” from the One Day Remains sessions that was released as a bonus track on their latest studio record The Last Hero.
For the die-hard Alter Bridge fans, you can opt for the limited deluxe version which include an exclusive Alter Bridge documentary with band, their crew and family interviews, providing a peek behind the curtain of this legendary performance at London’s O2 Arena.
[embedplusvideo height=”400″ width=”450″ editlink=”http://bit.ly/2weyRO1″ standard=”http://www.youtube.com/v/Ifw-sdxHrvU?fs=1″ vars=”ytid=Ifw-sdxHrvU&width=450&height=400&start=&stop=&rs=w&hd=0&autoplay=0&react=1&chapters=¬es=” id=”ep2882″ /]
For existing Alter Bridge fans, this is a no-brainer. Between Alter Bridge, Tremonti, Slash/Myles and Projected, Live At The O2 Arena + Rarities is another piece to their collection. For those not too familiar with Alter Bridge this is the perfect starting point to discovery as it provides an opportunity to taste their entire body of work as well as a look inside of one of the most fan friendly bands today if you opt for the deluxe addition. This is a must purchase for any fan of hard rock, an absolutely amazing performance that will leave you wanting the real thing. And you no longer have to wait as it hits shelves today. Pick up one of many packages available today by visiting http://www.napalmrecordsamerica.com/store/alterbridge.
Connect with Alter Bridge(click icons):
Review by RockRevolt Photojournalist Brett Tully
