I think it is pretty much safe to say that this gig was, in my own mind, the most highly anticipated one of the year so far. Now, i realise that this is a very big statement as my gigging year included shows by Ozzy Osborne, Lostprophets, Trivium, Murderdolls and Kiss, among others, but it is one that shows the ridiculously high regard with which I hold Alter Bridge.
It was great to see the boys back in the UK together as the respective members have been apart for a few years, gallivanting off on their own side projects. Mark Tremonti, Brian Marshall and Scott Phillips returned to reform Creed for a reunion tour, and Myles Kennedy toured as vocalist for Slash’s recently launched solo career, all playing to sold out crowds on both sides of the Atlantic. After this brief, but all too long, hiatus, the foursome headed back to the studio this summer to put the finishing touches on their third album, the imaginably entitled ABIII. The album was met with widespread critical acclaim and is set to be the boys highest selling venture to date. This third offering is very different to all that has preceded it, with darker lyrics and a wholly experimental feel it could take some getting used to for older AB fans, however this does not undermine its brilliance. It is the anticipation for this album that has lead to this tour being a sell out weeks before the album even hit the stores.
Tonight’s venue was the, for want of a better word, legendary Hammersmith Apollo, nothing more than Myles and Co deserved. In fact, before the gig Myles tweeted that it was an honour to be playing on the same stage where Bowie retired Ziggy Stardust, so it meant a great deal to the boys to be playing here. It was, ashamedly, the first time that I have ventured to this part of London for gigging purposes, and i have to say that i was initially underwhelmed by the size of the venue as it looks a great deal bigger on television. However, despite this initial disappointment, the Apollo is indeed a very impressive venue, enhanced by the gentle slope allowing for unobstructed viewing of the imperious stage from all parts of the standing section.
The support for tonight’s show were a British band entitled Slaves to Gravity. I only caught a few of the closing songs of their set but was very impressed with what I heard. The lead singers vocals are very powerful and often one could be forgiven for mistaking his voice for that of Myles Kennedy himself. A very fitting support act that did a cracking job of getting the crowd going.
I guess after all this preamble I should really talk a little bit about tonight’s main act? Well ok then. There was only ever one song that the boys were going to open with, and as the hall went black, the eerily haunting tones of Slip To The Void echoed around Hammersmith. Cue the spotlight on Myles, standing, deified in the centre of the stage, his voice once again note perfect. This song, the first track on ABIII, really is a perfect opener, its haunting, slow tune soon gives way to a typically powerful Tremonti riff, and the night is underway. With minimal banter, or any gap between tracks, the boys crack out a great number of songs from the tremendously popular second album, Blackbird, that are met with unbelievable scenes amongst the AB faithful. Many new offerings from ABIII are effortlessly slipped into the set and although were not met with as great enthusiasm as the older stuff, this is understandable as the album has only been out for a week.
This was my second time watching what I can honestly claim to be my joint favourite band (with the Lostprophets), and I was once again astounded by the power, and perfection of the voice of Myles Kennedy. If you have not had the pleasure of seeing him sing live, whether with Slash, AB, The Mayfield Four or whoever, get on YouTube and witness it for yourself. A particular highlight of tonight’s gig that promotes this fact, and a song that none of us expected to be played, was a perfect rendition of old favourite Broken Wings (also the performance of Watch Over You is amazing and a must see). Truly a sight to behold, in fact Myles could not contain his amusement during this song at seeing the ferocious moshpit during the tracks quieter moments, showing that he was truly having the time of his life up there.
The set list was, in my opinion, very cleverly put together. Mixing up old and new songs, there was never a lull in the performance, as is expected of many bands trying out new material. The juxt apposition of head banging classic Metalingus with songs like Ghost of Days Gone By was an inspired decision as it kept the crowd awake and on their toes.
After the incredible Blackbird and Open Your Eyes, the boys announce that they are done for the night, say thanks for having us, see you soon...blah blah the usual spiel from a band who are obviously returning in five minutes for an encore. Return they do. Myles sits alone on stage with his acoustic guitar and leads the audience in an extremely emotional sing-along of Watch Over You, the power of this song is unrivalled and there was many a tear shed during this tremendous performance. The boys typically finish with Rise Today, a phenomenal closer that leaves everyone gasping for more. A cracking show that cements Alter Bridge’s reputation as one of the greatest live bands out there, and one which saw them perform an unbelievable twenty song set list.
When will they be back? Well the rumours are that Myles will be rejoining Slash for a world tour until early summer, leaving the way open for some much needed UK festival performances from the AB foursome. The question is, will it be Download, Sonisphere or Reading? Rating: 9/10
1. Slip To The Void
2. Buried Alive
3. Before Tomorrow Comes
4. Still Remains
5. Brand New Start
6. White Knuckles
7. All Hope Is Gone
8. Metalingus
9. Ghost Of Days Gone By
10. Broken Wings
11. Ties That Bind
12. One Day Remains
13. I Know It Hurts
14. Come To Life
15. Blackbird
16. Open Your Eyes
Encore
17. Watch Over You (Acoustic) (An absolute MUST SEE, YouTube it folks)
18. Wonderful Life (Acoustic)
19. Isolation
20. Rise Today
