Alter Bridge – Pawns and Kings
Alter Bridge – Pawns and Kings
Napalm Records
Release Date: 14/10/2022
Running Time: 53:34
Review By Alex Swift
8/10
Myles Kennedy and co. are, to this writer, one of the greatest acts in Metal today. They have continued to be that, despite the cries of elitists who bemoan the fact that they have a degree of crossover appeal. So, for the avoidance of any doubt, I view “Blackbird” and “Fortress” as absolute classics in the genre, and “ABII” and “The Last Hero” to be deeply overlooked. In fact, while I come back to 2019’s “Walk the Sky” infrequently, I think that album saw the band solidifying that while they may not be the most diverse band musically, the sound they have honed is distinctly theirs and is one they perform exceptionally well. “Pawns and Kings” continues on that path.
‘This Is War’ continues Alter Bridge’s tradition as architects of the brilliant opening songs – a trend which dates back to the band’s inception. Pawns & Kings begins in stunning form with this lavish and potent call to arms. There isn’t a drawn-out introduction like there was on earlier openers. Rather, it accelerates to full speed with the now-iconic hefty Mark Tremonti riff and a huge vocal line from Myles Kennedy in the chorus. It’s a noble rallying cry that wonderfully frames the record from the outset. The powerful ‘Dead Among the Living’ follows. It features yet another catchy vocal line from Kennedy, who is once again supported by Tremonti, who has a markedly larger vocal presence on this record. Side, note, Myles Kennedy has said that the reason for this is he feels fans are put off by his vocal style – I think that’s modesty as both vocalists are on fine form throughout. Still, one of their strongest riffs in a while can be heard on this song, which seems to reprise earlier tracks like ‘Come to Life’ and ‘Ties That Bind’ in its Post-Grunge aesthetic. The record’s standout track, ‘Silver Tongue’, is a low-end rumbling behemoth that wraps up the opening trio of commanding anthems. What Alter Bridge excel at here is striking powerfully and quickly without ever losing sight of their magnificence and size.
The Mark Tremonti led ‘Stay’ is the first of the ballads on this album. Moments like this display the guitarist’s incredible song-writing ability, even if they are schmaltzy and overly sentimental. It’s cheese, sure, but its fine, rich, and mature cheese with a significant emotional aftertaste. This also holds true for the subsequent upbeat song Seasons of Promise. ‘Fable Of the Silent Son’, the band’s longest song to date, can also a be found on the album. The band must have had lots of confidence to write a piece which eclipses ‘Blackbird’ – a song so emotionally affecting that it deserves to be viewed with absolute reverence within Metal – in length. Indeed, while this doesn’t quite reach those lofty heights, the heroic piece is without a doubt one of their best to date. It begins with Kennedy in the limelight before exploding into a thumping riff. Together, Tremonti and Brian Marshall throw down powerful guitar riffs that are overlaid by soaring voices. You will be completely engrossed by the time the solo comes around since it moves smoothly through the duration. Both this song and the sumptuous ‘Sin After Sin’, a mid-tempo rocker that highlights the rhythm section as the band’s hidden pulse, have strong Prog characteristics, showing that while Alter Bridge are not often viewed as incredibly versatile, they excel at combining influences.
Although you probably know what to anticipate from an Alter Bridge album by this point, you cannot dispute that they do everything to absolute perfection. The band has come to the realisation that what they do best is to be authentic, and their audience will appreciate them for that too. There is no doubting that Pawns & Kings ranks among their greatest creations.
TRACKLISTING:
01. This Is War
02. Dead Among the Living
03. Silver Tongue
04. Sin After Sin
05. Stay
06. Holiday
07. Fable Of the Silent Sun
08. Season of promise
09. Last Man Standing
10. Pawns & Kings
LINE-UP:
Myles Kennedy – Lead And Backing Vocals, Rhythm, And Lead Guitar
Mark Tremonti – Lead And Rhythm Guitar, Backing And Lead Vocals
Brian Marshall – Bass
Scott Phillips – Drums, Percussion
LINKS:
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