★★★★★

For well over a decade Alter Bridge have produced some profoundly deep and inspiring records for the world of rock.

The Last Hero is an epic continuation of the band’s saga of powerful releases.

The first half of the album is rife with messages of the band’s political leanings – the album’s title alone is a good indication. Desperate times in America have a lot of artists airing strongly anti-Trump campaigns, and Alter Bridge are no exception. But these messages come immersed in songs of hope and cries of expectation of a great worldly change, with classic riffs and drum lines so loud it sounds as if drummer Scott Phillips is set to break his skins.

Alter Bridge have maintained a classicism in their sound that marries well with their opinions on current affairs. Like the Pied Piper of Hamelin, frontman Myles Kennedy – likely one of the greatest voices in this era of rock – leads you away with his unwavering and incomparable falsetto. ‘Crows On A Wire’ and ‘You Will Be Remembered’ secure your attention amid some excellently dirty guitar riffs from Mark Tremonti.

Closer ‘Last Of Our Kind’ and its haunting refrain “The symphony of agony plays on” reaffirms the anguish, artistry and legacy of Alter Bridge. The Last Hero is another fantastic notch in the bedpost of hard rock.

Alter Bridge’sThe Last Herois out currently on Napalm.

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