"Blackbird" CD by Alter Bridge

by Marcel Anders (08.10.2007) This is really absurd: Mark Tremonti & Co sold two million copies of their first album, "One day remains", and still their label claimed that this ain't enough, that they should be reconciling with singer Scott Stapp, and go on as Creed again. An affront for the guitarist from Florida. Just as if his band featuring singer Myles Kennedy (ex-Mayfield Four) would be a shelf warmer with no perspective. So, they decided to change companies and release a second album that wipes away all doubts. And that is exactly what "Blackbird" easily does: 13 songs that either hit it hard or range I mid-tempo regions or even leave some time to rest and cuddle. Still, the four are at their best when they let it rock, like in the opener, "Ties that bind" and in the first single, "Rise today". Here, Mark serves a riff-thunderstorm that blows you away, even spices it up with Progressive Rock, Doom and minute-long solos, and is heavier than ever. A rough pace that perfectly fits the band – just like the calmer moments that remind me of Pearl Jam and Stone Temple Pilots.