For those of you that don’t know by now Alter Bridge were formed out of the remnants of god-rockers Creed. Guitarist Mark Tremonti and vocalist Scott Stapp apparently not seeing eye to eye anymore. (Ah, didums.) However it would seem that Tremonti is a pragmatic sort of fellow and has taken a sort of ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’ approach to Alter Bridge and their first album. Hence he has hired Creed drummer Scott Philips and original bass player Brian Marshall along for the ride.  

But of course any project like this is going to stand or fall on the quality of the vocalist – in this case replacing original Creed singer Scott Stapp. Here Tremonti (for it is he that seems to have co-ordinated the Alter Bridge project) has come up trumps with Myles Kennedy. However at times he does sound eerily like Stapp. But like I say, if it ain’t broke… 

But really that’s where the similarities end (although there are quite a few of them!). For Tremonti, free from the reins of Stapp, has unleashed a monster rock album that combines the best of nu-metal and classic rock. The album opens brightly enough with Find the Real and the up tempo One Day Remains. But I really love first single Open Your Eyes where the band are actually in danger of sounding, well, jolly… Almost! (If you are looking for humour you won’t find much of it here.) 

Yet who cares? Tremonti has done a great job in establishing himself as a guitar hero for the 21^st century on this release, with all kinds of widdly bits and detuned mayhem. There are some classic riff-along-a-Zep moments too; my favourites being Watch Your Words and the brilliant The End Is Here. In fact there is something for everyone, including some dodgy stadium rock ballads. (Not to my taste, although I have to admit Broken Wings is undeniably soulful and will be huge Stateside.) 

Yeah. I know it sounds implausible but Alter Bridge sound quite a lot like Creed, but somehow entirely different – work that one out! Perhaps it is because they are now free of Stapp's ‘holier than thou’ lyrics. Whatever it is Tremonti has done an amazing job here and this is one of the best rock albums I’ve heard this year. However it’s not without its faults (some of the nu-metal oriented stuff is a bit whiny and Tremonti, although a class act, isn’t exactly experimental with his guitar sound – why even ol’ knacker-bag Slash managed some funky modulation on Contraband).

But hey – I’m nit-picking here. Tremonti has managed to succeed where so many have failed in recent years by knowing what the metal buying public want. And more importantly, not being afraid to give it to them. Highly recommended.

Let us know your views on 'One Day Remains'

Track List

Find the Real
One Day Remains
Open Your Eyes
Burn It Down
Metalingus
Broken Wings
In Loving Memory
Down to My Last
Watch Your Words
Shed My Skin
End Is Here

Line Up

Myles Kennedy - Vocals
Mark Tremonti - Guitars
Brian Marshall - Bass
Scott Philips- Drums