Can’t believe it’s almost three years since we reviewed their debut album (‘One Day Remains’) here on HardRockHouse. Since then, apart from a spot of touring, the band have been pretty silent but after finally getting the green light I’m relieved to say they have finally got some new product out. ‘One Day Remains’ was always going to be a tough act to follow; blending classic rock influences with the then in vogue nu-metal scene. But three years is a lifetime in the music biz so have Alter Bridge missed the boat as it were.  

Thankfully the band have adopted a ‘if it ain't broke’ philosophy for ‘Blackbird’. It’s all very familiar without ever sounding a direct steal from the debut. If anything ‘Blackbird’ is a harder edged record but the band have moved slightly on from nu-metal clichés so that their sound is now a very defined one. As soon as you hear any tracks of either ‘One Day…’ or ‘Blackbird’ you know its them straight away. Thus Alter Bridge have cracked the first commandment of rock: ‘Thou shalt be made of metal, but also have yon own sound’. 

Things open with the frantic ‘Ties That Bind’ and it’s like they’ve never been away. The heavy ‘Buried Alive’ shows guitarist Tremonti’s not in the mood to pull any punches. But it is perhaps vocalist Myles Kennedy that steals the show. He really is one of rock’s best finds in ages and my only criticism (and this is levelled at whole band/album) is that occasionally it’s all a bit too serious. I’m not expecting ZZ Top wackiness but there is no light relief at all on ‘Blackbird’. 

Catchier moments can be found on ‘Before Tomorrow Comes’ and ‘Rise Today’ (released as a single) but don’t expect ‘laughing gas’ moments of merriness. Ok so that isn’t the point of Alter Bridge but listening to Blackbird in one go is surprisingly heavy going. Even for a metal head like my self.  

All is forgiven for the title track ‘Blackbird’, all eight minutes of it, where the band manage to reproduce some of the majesty of their debut album. It’s classic stuff and already seems to be a crowd favourite. 

So to answer the original question Alter Bridge have come up with a worthy follow up to ‘One Day Remains’. Though in truth there are some filler songs that simply go over your head. The secret with ‘Blackbird’ is to stick with it as it is a definite slow burner and above all to welcome back one of the few bands to successfully make the connection between classic and cotemporary sounds.

Let us know your views on Blackbird

Track Listing

Ties That Bind
Come To Life
Brand New Start
Buried Alive
Coming Home
Before Tomorrow Comes
Rise Today
Blackbird
One By One
Watch Over You
Break Me Down
White Knuckles
Wayward One
We Don't Care At All

Line Up

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

Related Links

Alter Bridge - Live Review

Alter Bridge - One Day Remains CD Review