I hear all too often, “where’s the next great hard rock/heavy metal band these days?” The perception is heavy metal is suffering a bit because there hasn’t been anyone that has come along since Metallica or Iron Maiden. The truth is there have been a few, people just aren’t paying close enough attention. Since 2004, Alter Bridge have quietly been building that momentum. Set to release their fifth album, The Last Hero, on October 7th, I’m going to make a bold statement: your next Iron Maiden or Metallica is here; it’s Alter Bridge.
People will say, “How can you say that??” or “That’s ridiculous!” and they have every right, but in my opinion I believe we have one of the greatest bands of the 2000’s right here in front of us. What makes a band like Metallica so good? They are phenomenal musicians and strong song writers not trying to mask their deficiencies by playing a hundred miles an hour or introducing screaming, growling vocals. They put out complex pieces of musical genius, and if you truly listen to Alter Bridge, then you will understand how I can make that comparison. Take a powerful rhythm section including Scott Phillips on drums and Brian Marshall on bass, lead it with guitar greats Mark Tremonti and Myles Kennedy trading off astounding solos, top that with the amazing vocal range of Myles Kennedy as well as Tremonti’s contributions on lead vocals and his Michael Anthonyesque ability with backing vocals, you have all the ingredients of a great hard rock/heavy metal band. They are truly a band that deserves to be mentioned with the likes of Iron Maiden, Van Halen, or Metallica, once again, in my opinion.
Now does that trend continue with their fifth release The Last Hero? You bet your ass it does. With the extremely powerful intro to the record, “Show Me A Leader” the tone is set right away for what will be an epic journey. The velocity continues into the next cut, “The Writing on the Wall” as it chugs along with Phillips’s drums slowly bringing you into Myles’s chants of WHOAAA, and not losing sight of the smallest of details in the background, you hear the chime of a bell. And it is an absolutely killer song. Next up is one of the heaviest riffs I’ve heard come from the AB camp, if not the heaviest for the song, “The Other Side.”
The fourth track on the album, “My Champion” is an ode to Myles’s parents. As he put it, he was a smaller kid that had to work extra hard, and the encouragement from his parents drove him. This is along the lines of the warmer side of the band many fans have come to know, classic Alter Bridge. Picking the pace back up is “Poison in Your Veins” one of my favorites on the album, an inspirational song about believing in oneself.
With the album revolving around the theme of heroes, “You Will Be Remembered” is a heartfelt, passionate composition that is a tribute to those who make the ultimate sacrifice for our country. This is followed up by yet another heavy piece focused on the ugly, deceptive world of politics and how they rip each other apart, “Crows on A Wire,” another one of my favorites on the album with a killer riff. Following the trend from their last effort, Fortress, The Last Hero’s title track closes out the album in epic fashion. It delivers all the highs and lows of a perfect song, putting the perfect bookend on an absolutely amazing record.
The Last Hero is a 13-song masterpiece, a great addition to the growing catalog of what I believe to be today’s quintessential hard rock band, that band that all rock/metal fans keep asking for, it’s already here. As Tremonti states ,“Every time we do a record, my only goal is for people to simply think it’s better than the previous one”, setting the bar very high for a band that already has a stellar catalog. Does The Last Hero accomplish that? Let’s just say it doesn’t go backwards; it’s a great addition to an amazing repertoire that Alter Bridge has built. This is a record that should top your 2016 list; you can pre-order The Last Hero now or pick it up on its release date of Oct. 7th. And while you’re at it add to your collection with Fortress, AB III, Blackbird and One Day Remains if you haven’t already. And be sure to catch one of the best live bands as they tour the world into 2017.
Tracklist:
- Show Me a Leader
- The Writing on the Wall
- The Other Side
- My Champion
- Poison In Your Veins
- Cradle to the Grave
- Losing Patience
- This Side of Fate
- You Will Be Remembered
- Crows on a Wire
- Twilight
- Island of Fools
- The Last Hero
