Alter Bridge: Simple Pleasures
Over two decades ago, from the ashes of the multi-platinum selling CREED, rose the phoenix known as ALTER BRIDGE. A name which is now firmly etched into the folklore of the rock and metal scenes. Having delivered seven albums of material packed to the brim with instant classics adored around the world it was decided that their eighth instalment would receive the prestigious honour of being given the self titled moniker. When we asked the beloved Myles Kennedy what inspired this decision he initially responded with “it was just out of laziness!” laughing jokingly. “We felt like after eight records that it was appropriate timing. We’ve never had a self-titled record and this album really leans into the essence of the band. We didn’t particularly add anything new arrangement or texture-wise, we just focused on what we’re known for and made sure all the riffs were up to par and would rest comfortably in a self-titled environment.”
ALTER BRIDGE have always had their tone dialled in, giving them that extra punch on record, which some bands have struggled to achieve. The production and overall quality of this release are impeccable. This is down to, primarily, the masterful talents of long-time associate Michael ‘Elvis’ Baskette, but also the fact it was recorded upon the hallowed grounds of Eddie Van Halen‘s 5150 Studios in Los Angeles. Myles and particularly Mark Tremonti have a longstanding relationship with both Eddie and his son Wolfgang, who has contributed to Mark‘s solo project as well as having deep-rooted ties within the history of ALTER BRIDGE.
“5150 Studios really motivated us to bring our best ideas to the table,” explains Myles. “We really didn’t want to tarnish the legacy of all the great work created there previously. Having such an incredible opportunity, which doesn’t just get handed to anyone was a big deal so we wanted to be as prepared as possible. It really helped inform the record and its direction. We are very lucky to have a good relationship with Wolfgang, and it was so kind of him to offer the studio for us to use. I think we’re one of the first artists outside of his family to record an actual record there so it was a huge honour.”
ALTER BRIDGE have built up a reputation for hard-hitting riffs, anthemic choruses and ballad-esque works akin to an emotional rollercoaster. Their self-titled release is very emotionally driven but possesses a darker, grittier soundscape. Finding the right balance between heaviness and narrative was an element Myles spent considerable time refining. “I try to manifest whatever is going on in my life at the time and whatever the world is throwing at me and spit it back out. There was quite a lot of gravity-laden subject matter for me to choose from and I used this as an outlet and opportunity to work through it. It happened to fall hand-in-hand with writing a heavier, riff-based record. The trick for me was making sure it wasn’t just another angry record for the sake of being dark and angry. I wanted it to have a silver lining that would remind myself, and also the listener, to be better and do better. Not falling prey to the negative, toxic environments we can encounter. That was very crucial for me as far as how to punctuate these songs.”
Myles and Mark have never been afraid to write sprawling, expansive material throughout their careers. This album culminates in one of the most extensive pieces in the history of ALTER BRIDGE, clocking in at over nine minutes in length. This provided them an opportunity to flex their creative acumen to great effect. “I tend to write from personal experiences, and some songs are just looking at the state of the world. One song in particular is the last track, Slave To Master, which kind of addresses technology and the potential it has to really disturb things. I feel like we’re at the precipice of a massive change, and we don’t know yet how this technology is going to affect us as human beings. The intro for that song was written probably about seven or eight years ago, and I knew it had a special feel to it. I kind of tucked it away with the intention of using it with ALTER BRIDGE as it didn’t feel like an appropriate fit for my solo stuff or my work with SLASH. That intro set the tone for where the song could go, and the fun thing about writing a song as epic as that is that you have the ability to stretch out. I brought those parts to Mark and he had a great bridge section to go with it. We found that the outro section was a lot of fun to solo over and it just kind of became this journey where we started experimenting. It’s exciting when you don’t know where it is going to go next. It’s probably one of my favourite things we’ve ever done to be able to improvise over. We’ve been doing this for so long that I feel like we’ve built this internal mechanism that trips and tells us not to get carried away or become too gratuitous.”
Another track on this album, Power Down, emphasising the importance of taking a step back, appreciating particular moments and avoiding burning yourself out in the ongoing quest to achieve all of your goals. Throughout his storied musical journey, Myles has amassed a vast array of songs, through his work with ALTER BRIDGE, his solo project, as well as an abundance of collaborative works. At this stage in his life he very much values the opportunities to power down.
“I like to relax, just hang out and I’m just such a simple guy. Have you ever seen Charlie And The Chocolate Factory? There is a character called Mike Teavee as he watches so much TV. Me and my wife Selena joke about it and when I’m home we call it Mike Teavee night, where we just relax in front of the TV and it’s become a ritual to help me power down and really relax. Our dog Mozart knows so he’ll come up on the couch and sit next to me. Azzie the cat will sit with us too and it’s just so simple. It’s nothing fancy but it’s great just spending time with the people I love.”
ALTER BRIDGE have considerable bouts of touring ahead of them going into 2026, including the UK, Europe and America. It’s been a few years since their fanbase has had the opportunity to experience them in a live capacity. The quartet have been rigorously rehearsing to ensure their return is extra special. “I’m really excited about this tour,” declares Myles. “It’s been a little while since we’ve been out on the road. We’re bringing back some songs which we’ve not played in a long time so we’ve been working extra hard practising to make sure everything is tight. It should be a lot of fun and we’re looking forward to seeing everyone at the shows.”
Alter Bridge is out now via Napalm Records. View this interview, alongside dozens of other killer bands, in glorious print magazine fashion in DS127 here:
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