After having my ears violated musically by this new album, it's only fair that I finally give it a just review. Alter Bridge, since their inception, have and will always be a top band on my list -- this album furthers that notion.
The album starts with the cryptic intro on Slip to the Void. Kennedy has never sounded so creepy in my life. Want to catch a girl by surprise with some singing? Get this effing song down, especially if you're the oddball no one notices! This song has a dark tone and lyrically sets the tone for the entire album for the most part. It, by far, is one of Alter Bridge's most creative intros of all. Soon as the rest of the song kicks in, their staple hard rock/metal sound kicks in. If you're a hardcore Mark Tremonti fan, though, you'll notice that the main riff in the verse sounds almost reminiscent to the bridge and outro riff of Good Fight by Creed from their Full Circle album. The vocal melodies are spotless and I dare say I haven't heard a good combo like this since Jerry Cantrell and Layne Staley from Alice In Chains.
Their single Isolation has an ass-kicking factor. If it weren't Alter Bridge, this song probably would've been made by some metalcore/hardcore band except not as cool and would sound generic instead of sounding pretty good. Kennedy's solo has a classic rock tone to it whereas Tremonti's licks always have a more good 80's blues/metal sound.
Ghost of Days Gone By has nostalgia written all over it, especially with the lyrics "Do you feel the same/For what was remained/Yesterday is gone, we can't go back again/Do you ever cry/for the Ghost of Days Gone By". It is a slightly different alt rock sound than what we're used to with Alter Bridge, bit it has good quality to it. I found myself wishing I could rewind to my younger days and wanting to change things, that's how nostalgic the song made me feel. Kennedy's solo is simple but has a sweetness. The riffs Tremonti throws in on the outro and bridge, again, sound Creed-ish. Reminds me of Creed's b-side song To Whom It May Concern. Some might sigh but relax, it sounds good together.
All Hope is Gone is a song built around wanting to get out of a rut but feeling so powerless as one always feels like things loop in repetition for what looks like an eternity. Tremonti rocks your socks off with a sweet hard rock solo. The vibe is reminiscent of I'm Coming Home from their Blackbird album.
I like the sweet but simple licks found in Still Remains. This song's all about how sometimes, no matter how much you want to help someone, their free will can and will at times be used to give you the proverbial middle finger.
Tremonti busts out another good solo on Make It Right. This song's one of those, "when are you gonna cut the crap and fix your life already" songs. Good licks in there too.
If you felt a sadness in your heart with In Loving Memory from their debut One Day Remains, prepare to cry a little more. Wonderful Life made me cry. This song's supposedly about a man losing his wife but I get the feeling it was inspired by the passing of Kennedy's father. Kennedy's voice just draws you in, it's that simple.
I Know It Hurts has a nice upbeat riff opening to it. Sweet yet simple licks make their way to the verses once again. Tremonti's solo is kickass here too.
Show Me A Sign was on ok track but pretty damn good. It has a One Day Remains vibe to it. Has a somber tone to it too.
Fallout has a nice classic rock-ish intro and verse guitar lick going. All the start of the bridge was missing was the sound of feet stomping because it certainly had me waiting for it. I'm not sure if it's Tremonti's solo or Kennedy's. It's a hard call but I'll say Kennedy because his solo is very simplistic but the second solo is definitely Tremonti hands down and very nice too!
I confess that Breathe Again is lukewarm to me. It feels somewhat weak compared to most of the album. It sounds very One Day Remains-ish. The bluesy licks give it some backbone.
In Coeur D'Alene, it's safe to say that the line is blurring on Tremonti. You can't say it sounds like Creed or Alter Bridge. Tremonti's paid his dues in songwriting and has defined his sound. When you hear him, you know it's him in either riff, melody, soloing or otherwise.
Life Must Go On is another episode of nostalgia but with the resolution that you must move forward with your life. It has a One Day Remains feel and damn does it feel good. Has a nice outro lick from Tremonti that reminds me of Creed's Song You Sing.
Words Darker Than Their Wings has a weight about it. According to Tremonti in one of his online interviews, this song was about a convo he and Kennedy had where Kennedy had lost faith and belief in anything spiritual and how Tremonti was like, "Dude, you gotta believe in something". Kennedy belts out probably his highest sung note ever recorded that I'm aware of close to the end of the song. As far as lyrics go, the second pre-chorus felt weird, "How could I be wrong/I hope there comes a day your fear is gone/How could we be lost/Lost just cease to be not carry on". That last line sounds a bit fragmented but Tremonti's delivery makes us overlook that. This is possibly Tremonti's best vocal performance since Creed's My Own Prison and A Thousand Faces.
Zero reminded me that there's still a bassist in the band. By far, one of my favorite tracks in the album and my favorite bonus track. The timing and groove of the verses remind me of Blood Brothers by Iron Maiden. I definitely dig the classy solo thrown in towards the end.
Home was pretty cool too. Tremonti pulls off some sweet licks within the song. The essence of I Know It Hurts seems to bleed in this song as well as Creed's Young Grow Old with a good punch of a solo within.
So how does this stack up? Is it better than:
- One Day Remains? Yes. There is a lot of stigma with ODR because it sounded to some people like the 4th Creed album that never released. AB III is more creative, more progressive and definitely more eclectic.
- Blackbird? Depends who you ask. I'm like Two Face on this one, I'll flip a coin and thanks to Batman, it always lands on edge. It's hard to say. Blackbird was a tough act to follow. Lyrically, it is a tough call. Musically it's even tougher because, while Blackbird is memorable and solid, ABIII is technically sound and a lot of effort is shown in terms of creativity.
Favorite songs on the album: Home, Slip to the Void, Isolation, Ghost of Days Gone By, All Hope Is Gone, Wonderful Life, Life Must Go On and Words Darker Than Their Wings.
+ They made the best sounds of One Day Remains and Blackbird come together and coexist.
+ Kennedy's licks
+ Tremonti's riffs and killer solos
+ lyrics mostly written by Kennedy
- Bass is so compressed you can barely hear it over the heavy layers of guitar in a lot of songs
- if you're an AB hater just because you prefer Creed, you'll whine because some things will remind
you of Creed.
- while seeing Kennedy take more space in guitar work, he isn't as bombastic and iconic as Tremonti
- some love Blackbird so much that they'll have trouble embracing ABIII
Blogs by Ron Gunz
10.28.2010
10.26.2010
breaking my silence 2
So I'm already up to page 13 on 3ra. Currently, I'm on blank. I've hit a brick wall. No words, no inspiration. No images to really get my gears goin' either. School's nothing special. Seriously, I don't think I'll face a true collegiate challenge until I start my Bachelor's. I really wish I can fast forward to the part where I'm doing it already!
I've also come to grips with something. While I may sure as heck love God, I have a chip on my shoulder when it comes to fellow Christians. Nothing motivates me when it comes to being with other believers. It is this same background that helped scar my mind with the same negative stigma that non-Christians or even ex-Christians carry. I grew tired over the years of the monotony, the same ol' song and dance, the fact that there's always a false sense of fellowship. When I say false, I mean, not hanging out or spending time with each other beyond the church building walls. There seems to be no contact for me beyond a church service, a retreat, a fast, etc. It often feels like beyond that, the closest thing to friendship I even have with Christians these days is the world we know as Facebook. Granted, I'm not beyond correction, I'm just venting out years of frustration, bitterness and anger that has been bottled up.
Not a second goes by that my mind doesn't dwell on the hypocrisies I had to endure, the double standards I've have to deal with and the inducing of low sense of self-appreciation. I can't walk into a church anymore without feeling that someone's gonna act like I'm inferior to them. I've been treated as an inferior all my life, I don't need that crap from a fellow "Christian".
I look back at 11 years and yes, this is the most I have to be open about. I've learned and experienced an awesome God but a very terrible group of Christians over the year that reflect religion but nothing that looked like Christ. The few that are the real deal are gems indeed and I barely am ever around them. My mind continues to feel fractured as I think of all the wrong that was done to me and as much as I want to say I forgive them, I'll never feel at peace so long as they don't realize the damage they've done.
On the other hand, Awakening made me believe that the remnant haven't vanished and that there are, in fact, a group that still shows the love and genuineness that Jesus taught. But I'm still scarred. I'm still beaten into fragments that God hasn't glued together. As much as I believe that God can heal our inner pains, some things have to be settled so that I can simply say, "I get it" and that hasn't happened yet.
When I even think of entering a church building, I don't think of refuge, solace or peace or a community that represents awesomeness. All that is etched in my mind now are the minutes until someone acts like I've never heard of Jesus or never experienced Jesus or that I'm not as holy as they are.
To some, my words are probably immature, misguided and whatnot. But memories and experiences don't lie. While I say to people how sorry I am for the bullies and pricks that showed them a counterfeit Jesus, I feel like I'm one of them. I felt like I've been wronged and never given an act of closure and truce.
I've also come to grips with something. While I may sure as heck love God, I have a chip on my shoulder when it comes to fellow Christians. Nothing motivates me when it comes to being with other believers. It is this same background that helped scar my mind with the same negative stigma that non-Christians or even ex-Christians carry. I grew tired over the years of the monotony, the same ol' song and dance, the fact that there's always a false sense of fellowship. When I say false, I mean, not hanging out or spending time with each other beyond the church building walls. There seems to be no contact for me beyond a church service, a retreat, a fast, etc. It often feels like beyond that, the closest thing to friendship I even have with Christians these days is the world we know as Facebook. Granted, I'm not beyond correction, I'm just venting out years of frustration, bitterness and anger that has been bottled up.
Not a second goes by that my mind doesn't dwell on the hypocrisies I had to endure, the double standards I've have to deal with and the inducing of low sense of self-appreciation. I can't walk into a church anymore without feeling that someone's gonna act like I'm inferior to them. I've been treated as an inferior all my life, I don't need that crap from a fellow "Christian".
I look back at 11 years and yes, this is the most I have to be open about. I've learned and experienced an awesome God but a very terrible group of Christians over the year that reflect religion but nothing that looked like Christ. The few that are the real deal are gems indeed and I barely am ever around them. My mind continues to feel fractured as I think of all the wrong that was done to me and as much as I want to say I forgive them, I'll never feel at peace so long as they don't realize the damage they've done.
On the other hand, Awakening made me believe that the remnant haven't vanished and that there are, in fact, a group that still shows the love and genuineness that Jesus taught. But I'm still scarred. I'm still beaten into fragments that God hasn't glued together. As much as I believe that God can heal our inner pains, some things have to be settled so that I can simply say, "I get it" and that hasn't happened yet.
When I even think of entering a church building, I don't think of refuge, solace or peace or a community that represents awesomeness. All that is etched in my mind now are the minutes until someone acts like I've never heard of Jesus or never experienced Jesus or that I'm not as holy as they are.
To some, my words are probably immature, misguided and whatnot. But memories and experiences don't lie. While I say to people how sorry I am for the bullies and pricks that showed them a counterfeit Jesus, I feel like I'm one of them. I felt like I've been wronged and never given an act of closure and truce.
10.16.2010
Analyzing, Anticipation and 3rd book
I'll start with the easiest to get out of the way -- I'm working on my third book and it's about 33%! Like Walk This Realm and the future re-release of Taking Over Me, it will be a combo of my artwork and my writing. It's a combination and conceptual style that I've chosen to stick to and very darn proud about. I had been wrapping my head on what title to give it and honestly, it was quite the task. I didn't want to name it III or 3 because it would've been cheesy. Ultimately, I decided to call it 3ra or Tercera. Going for a different way of saying, "hey, this is my third book" was pretty cool as it helps me kind of set the stage for what I'm working on. I didn't want the title to seem too similar to the last two nor give it a silly long name.
This past Friday I submitted my request for BMCC to send my transcript over to UAPC, as they will let Brooklyn, Hunter and City College take a look at my transcripts and by December, my fate will be decided as to which 4-year will I wind up in next Fall. I'm anxious, as well as exited, as this is the change I've longed for, let alone the fact that as of November, the CUNY CPE will be done with. From there on in, I'll finally be on the exact road towards teacherdom. Meanwhile, I'll also be going for my teacher certs.
As I was playing the damned 2nd act of Lost Labyrinth Zone in Sonic 4, something stuck out to me that was significant to me personally. When you jump on the cart with Sonic, you gotta control that thing and head towards a desired path. Mess up the flow and you'll find yourself eventually off the cart and trying to get through the level by means of difficult mazes and puzzles. It's parallel to our journey towards our desired goal -- we've got to stick to a solid and definitive plan to the T. Otherwise, you'll find yourself in a rut and in some big loop that will feel like Purgatory. You can still make it but because of the slightest deviation, it'll be harder or just take longer to reach. That's where I'm at right now in life. At a quarter century old, I'm not where I thought I'd be and changes as a result of my choices, as well as circumstances beyond me, had dramatically altered the course. It is now that I finally got it by the reins to see things flow.
This past Friday I submitted my request for BMCC to send my transcript over to UAPC, as they will let Brooklyn, Hunter and City College take a look at my transcripts and by December, my fate will be decided as to which 4-year will I wind up in next Fall. I'm anxious, as well as exited, as this is the change I've longed for, let alone the fact that as of November, the CUNY CPE will be done with. From there on in, I'll finally be on the exact road towards teacherdom. Meanwhile, I'll also be going for my teacher certs.
As I was playing the damned 2nd act of Lost Labyrinth Zone in Sonic 4, something stuck out to me that was significant to me personally. When you jump on the cart with Sonic, you gotta control that thing and head towards a desired path. Mess up the flow and you'll find yourself eventually off the cart and trying to get through the level by means of difficult mazes and puzzles. It's parallel to our journey towards our desired goal -- we've got to stick to a solid and definitive plan to the T. Otherwise, you'll find yourself in a rut and in some big loop that will feel like Purgatory. You can still make it but because of the slightest deviation, it'll be harder or just take longer to reach. That's where I'm at right now in life. At a quarter century old, I'm not where I thought I'd be and changes as a result of my choices, as well as circumstances beyond me, had dramatically altered the course. It is now that I finally got it by the reins to see things flow.
10.05.2010
breaking my silence
I thought I'd take my 15 minute break to write this before I bottle it up and go nuts. Is all a sham. Every last day. I honestly wake up every day asking how can I live with myself. I'm talking about my late sister's passing back in june '08. I could've stopped it. I could've gone out with her to change those coins to dollars. If she felt weird, I would've been right there to help her be safe. Instead, I stood home and hear her say she'll be back...only to never see her again. This will weigh on me for the rest of my life.
So if you've wondered why I'm so eager to wanna hang out, do shows and stuff -- now you know. It's that same thought that haunts me in my sleep, in my dreams and even when I'm awake. This is why I look forward to the afterlife so much -- so I can say I'm sorry for failing as her biggest brother.
So I recently got a message of my transfer app being set for review in December. In the meantime, I'll have to email them my college transcript and my hs diploma. If there's any hope of success left in me, it all hangs on that.
So if you've wondered why I'm so eager to wanna hang out, do shows and stuff -- now you know. It's that same thought that haunts me in my sleep, in my dreams and even when I'm awake. This is why I look forward to the afterlife so much -- so I can say I'm sorry for failing as her biggest brother.
So I recently got a message of my transfer app being set for review in December. In the meantime, I'll have to email them my college transcript and my hs diploma. If there's any hope of success left in me, it all hangs on that.
10.02.2010
awakening hope
So here I am with Sid in the city after workin out, eating hala and pizza and writing through my cell. Just epic, man. Had a kicka$$ time with Max this morning.
I can't wait till wednesday to that Hunter workshop. That's just among other things going on. I'm just glad in knowing that things are lookin up.
I recently saw Machete and lemme tell ya_ hilarious! I also got AB III and I must say, it's hard to say if it's on par, better or just slightly behind Blackbird.
I'm also venturing photography along with graphic design as my hobby. I just love it.
I can't wait till wednesday to that Hunter workshop. That's just among other things going on. I'm just glad in knowing that things are lookin up.
I recently saw Machete and lemme tell ya_ hilarious! I also got AB III and I must say, it's hard to say if it's on par, better or just slightly behind Blackbird.
I'm also venturing photography along with graphic design as my hobby. I just love it.
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