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Today is the day!!! Alter Bridge‘s new album “Fortress” is released here in the US. So, I have been absolutely floored by this album. So many times, bands come back and try to reinvent themselves and come out sounding so different. Then other times, a band puts out an album that sounds oddly familiar to their last few albums. Well, neither of those are the case for the new Alter Bridge album.

They come out with an album filled with amazing new songs that not only have their old fans applauding loudly but I am sure are going to gain a ton of new fans! It is awesome in so many ways! If you have been a fan of Alter Bridge as long as I have you have fallen in love with their emotionally driven lyrics, touching ballads, smoking guitar solos by Mark Tremonti and high energy rock n roll. See what I mean, they have it all in their repertoire and this album is the best at highlighting all their accomplishments and opening the door for a peak at a new side of Alter Bridge.

The album starts right off with “Cry of Achilles” that has a flamenco style acoustic guitar at the intro that just tugs at my heart… then it gives you a peak as to the heavier tones that this album brings!

“Addicted to Pain” has been out for a while as a single and it just delivers bad ass rock and roll with a hint of metal. Here is where a lot of people who thought Alter Bridge was about soft ballads will be proven wrong and join the love for this band. You will love the precision drumming by Scott Phillips that are highlighted on this song.

“Bleed it Dry” is up next and you will be captivated by Myles vocals once again and then can’t help but be drawn into Mark on his intense guitar solo that just touches you from head to toe. It consumes you and this might just be one of my favorite songs on the album.

Next up is “Lover” and you might consider at first sound to be a ballad but it brings out so much more with a mysterious dark side. Myles vocals on this can be compared to a slow drink of sweet bourbon. They just enter you sweet and softly and then there it is the bite or sting that you knew was coming and then it blends away with the sweetness. Truly amazing and another favorite of mine.

The album continues on with “The Uninvited” and Peace Has Broken and it continues to have you captivated. “Calm The Fire” comes on and you are treated to an ethereal style intro that just mesmerizes you. Precision drumming, blazing guitars and the incomparable vocals.

“Waters Rising” treats you to Mark Tremonti on vocals. Mark is no stranger to being the singer since his last solo project was so well received and we love it!

“Farther Than The Sun” delivers kick ass rock and then you get slammed with “Cry A River” that is definitely heavier and has some spectacular guitar work that brings a taste of metal to this album. The energy is non stop in this song and Brian Marshall delivers some heavy crunchy bass lines in this one.

After all that intensity, you are wrapped in safe arms with “All Ends Well“. This song really just touches you and lets you know that even though everything is uncertain; just take a chance, it may just end well. This song has some of my most favorite lyrics of the album:

If you believe in nothing else
Just keep believing in yourself
There will be times of trouble,
it’s gonna hurt like hell
This much I know, all ends well
It all ends well.

The album finishes off with what I can say is MY FAVORITE SONG off this album, “Fortress”. It takes you on such a deep ride through the music if you let it. Vocally, Myles takes you down a dark mysterious path and then Mark takes your hand and leads you to his hypnotic guitars. It then grabs you for a build up that just shakes you and seduces you. This song is probably the most out of the realm of Alter Bridge’s range but they do an incredible job at owning it every step of the way.

This album is a true gem for the die hard Alter Bridge fans or anyone who needs some intense new music! You can check out their video for “Addicted to Pain” :