Hard rock supergroup Alter Bridge continues forging its own identity

Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Every time Alter Bridge gets back together after high profile extracurricular projects, the foursome appears more energized and passionate about resuming the band than ever before. That renewed focus was particularly apparent on the group’s fifth long player “The Last Hero” (released late last year) and tour behind the project that corralled at least a couple thousand faithful into the Riviera Theatre smack dab in the middle of the week.

However, Alter Bridge quickly got back to the action…coming across as much more than “Creed with a different singer,” but one of the heavy scene’s most dependable and dominant forces for a fertile 13 years and counting.

Between front man Myles Kennedy (The Mayfield Four, Slash, an aborted Jimmy Page/John Paul Jones post-Led Zeppelin project), guitarist Mark Tremoni, bassist Brian Marshall and drummer Scott Phillips (also known as the rhythm section of Creed), there was plenty of star power on stage. Yet there wasn’t a shred of ego as the guys appeared genuinely at ease performing together, while unloading an adrenaline-laden set that frequently juggled the worlds of hard rock, alternative metal and post-grunge.

The majority of the nearly two-hour night found Alter Bridge coming out guns a-blazing, whether it was the bone-crunching openers “The Writing On The Wall” and “Come To Life” or barreling through the melodic anthem of perseverance “My Champion.” A little later, “Ties That Bind” brought a strikingly militant flavor to the career-spanning set, while “The Last Hero” played out like a futuristic comic book adventure that leapt right off the pages.

Following Tremonti’s take on lead vocals with “Waters Rising,” the only break from the otherwise welcome forcefulness came during Kennedy’s solo acoustic “Watch Over You” (accompanied by a humorous story about having to play Boyz II Men and Color Me Badd covers in a similar format as a budding musician). However, Alter Bridge quickly got back to the action, culminating with the momentum builder “Blackbird,” plus the roaring sing-a-long “Open Your Eyes,” coming across as much more than “Creed with a different singer,” but one of the heavy scene’s most dependable and dominant forces for a fertile 13 years and counting.

Click here for more Alter Bridge photos from the Riviera Theatre.

For additional information on Alter Bridge, visit AlterBridge.com.

For a list of upcoming shows at the Riviera Theatre, visit RivieraTheatre.com.