Alter Bridge - Fortress (2013)^{Release ID: 3455}

Alter Bridge is known very well as a side-project-turned-full-time-band by guitarist Mark Tremonti, bassist Brian Marshall, and drummer Scott Philips, all coming from the more famous Scott Stapp-led band Creed. Together with frontman Myles Kennedy, Alter Bridge had proved themselves to be the creative songwriting force alt-metal needs!

After 3 albums of hard rock/post-grunge in a similar vein to a few of my brother's favorite bands like Breaking Benjamin, Three Days Grace, and Skillet, Alter Bridge decided to boost up their creativity intensely with their 4th album Fortress. It's a test of magic as they added more diverse arrangements and time signature variations for something more progressive, though closer in sound to Karnivool rather than TOOL. And who's manning the production? Michael "Elvis" Baskette has entered that building.

Beginning this adventure is the epic "Cry of Achilles". It already sets the tone for this melodic prog-ish alt-rock/metal journey. They make some daring experimentation to win some new fans and keep their longtime fans. It's not easy to achieve, but the past and present are blended together in great balanced. Another standout single, "Addicted to Pain" rocks on straight through blazing riffing and melodic choruses. It shows the band's more variant path while still being perfect for radio. Driving their message further, "Bleed It Dry" unleashes some fury, including Tremonti transcending from such a powerful solo. A full display of the technical beauty spawning from his guitar! In an unexpected but acceptable twist, "Lover" can be considered a power ballad. However, as soft as it is, there's dark despair within the emotional lyrics and delivery.

"The Uninvited" has the style the band was once known for. This heavy song has mighty bass groove. And when matched the album's production, that song is just top-notch! "Peace is Broken" has a bit of the mainstream stylings of Killswitch Engage at that time, albeit without any of the metalcore aspects. "Calm the Fire" has solid reflective bass. It fits well with the unique drumming there. "Waters Rising" has Tremonti taking over most of the lead vocals, which makes great sense considering his vocal ability in his solo project. The dynamic evolution is evident in Tremonti's guitar/vocal power. Kennedy's background harmonies can still be in the chorus which ultimately turns out well.

"Farther Than the Sun" is filled with blazing heaviness, with defiant spirit in the lyrical theme. The hard rocker "Cry a River" is not the best, but the album still has its perfect 5-star rating. Standout "All Ends Well", which builds up in softer melodic rock. The song is written about a mother fearing the uncertainty of the world, letting out a somewhat relatable message. The 7 and a half minute title epic is the perfect ending to this hour-long tale. The textures and time changes are produced perfectly in experimental glory.

Alter Bridge's sound is so unique. The melodic rock elements the band has taken from more popular bands has been merged with superb technicality for their own style of prog-ish alt-rock/metal. Fortress is an epic journey for the genre, and it seems like my interest in this band is at a rapid beginning!

Favorites: "Cry of Achilles", "Addicted to Pain", "The Uninvited", "Waters Rising", "All Ends Well", "Fortress"