Album Review - Fortress by Alter Bridge

Wow! Wowy wowy wow wow is what I need to say first. This is by far Alter Bridge's heaviest offering and of course you know that gets me going. I've loved Alter Bridge since their inception and they've always been enjoyable, but my God this is the album I've been waiting for. They took my perception of them as a band, ripped it out of my hands, smashed it and spit on it burying it forever.

The opening track Cry of Achilles is the perfect opener. It starts with a sweet acoustic guitar piece and rips this album right open. I feel that Mark Tremonti has finally become the guitarist that I always knew he could be. He leaves everything on table in each tune and has become an A class lead. The riffs from Peace is Broken and Bleed it Dry remind me of former Nevermore guitarist Jeff Loomis and in no way is that a bad thing. Well done sir, I appreciate every lick you have written for Fortress.

Enough of my worship of Tremonti, and on to Myles Kennedy. I didn't know it was possible, but I feel that Kennedy has gotten better and better with each album. His voice is almost angelic in the beginning of Calm the Fire. With all this metalesque hard rock goodness going on, it says something that number 4 - Lover is one of my favorite tunes on this album. The dynamics of this album are out of sight and I am so glad that I have a chance to listen to it. I know this is a bold statement, but this has to be the greatest hard rock album off all time. Grip and rip this album over and over, you will not regret it.

I give Fortress by Alter Bridge 5 out of 5 Burning Lariats.

Album cover provided by amazon.com.