Walk The Sky

Product Information

Ever since the word came out that Mark will have lead vocals on one of the songs of the album, I was beaming with excitement. This ultimately led me to the simple conclusion that 'WTS' fails to demonstrate the significant potential that AB possesses as a band, while also never really offering any of the members an opportunity to truly stand out and shine, with the possible exception of Myles. Well maybe in the future we will see a remake of Royal Albert Hall, as I think that some of the inspiration for the new album might have come from this experience as well. The instrumentals are perfectly solid, but lack the complexity, layering and frequent changes in pace found in AB’s earlier records, leaving an ever-so-slightly underwhelming impression. Myles’ vocals generally sound closer to the classic AB sound as opposed to the 'The Last Hero', where his performance mimicked the ‘classic glam-rock’ style he employs when partnering with Slash.

Sound Vapors is an online music, and entertainment site designed to bring readers closer to bands/artists and the music they create. Alter Bridge, Halestorm, Neck Deep, Bob Vylan, Hot Milk, Palaye Royale, Jinjer and more join this year’s Download Festival.For now, 'Walk the Sky' will find a comfortable home in my playlists next to the bands’ previous works, but I doubt any of these tracks will be remembered as their best, which is the records biggest sin. With its amplifiers dialled up to 11, and with vocalist Myles Kennedy hitting the high notes like an air-balloonist with a death wish, what is on offer here is superior music from a fearless band.

The album's cover art was designed by Dan Tremonti, brother of guitarist Mark Tremonti; its packaging was designed by Sturge Media and Janus Music Mgmt. The album even starts with just one-and-a-half-minute long song One Life, going easy on vocals of Myles Kennedy, having this exact calming vibe that I rather enjoy at the beginning. Some of those feelings can be understandably dark but I also feel a glimmer of hope, even within some of the darkest places of the record. It’s almost like they’ve taken the best characteristics of their former albums and focused on writing and recording a powerful-but subtle in the right places, record.The Bitter End is again an example of a song with a calming vibe, while Pay No Mind is based on interesting riff with visible synth elements and great rhythm section.

Like I said before, it just has that early 80’s rock feel, the kind that was around before the hair metal explosion.One only has to listen to the first three AB records to realize that, as a group AB delivered superior performances like the seminal 'Blackbird' several years prior to most of the aforementioned side-project experiences even took place. Furthermore, I think it plausible that AB are purposefully tuning their style to target a commercial sound that will receive more radio play. It has this kind of liberating vibe, zen moments even, yet with few songs that are darker than the rest.

The falsetto at the beginning of the song is the one that gives me goosebumps and the chorus that Myles is taking over is absolutely catchy. I know and witnessed what this guy can do with his voice, the high note in Words Darker Than Their Wings is legendary. Still, with constant touring of Myles Kennedy with his solo record and Slash and the Conspirators, with Mark’s solo band Tremonti, they found time to work on new material. As someone who is quite familiar with the various side projects related to AB such as the aforementioned Tremonti as well as Projected, Slash and the Conspirators and the Mayfield Four, I consider myself rather well versed in the musical talents of Myles, Mark, Brian and Scott. On the heavier side of things, I particularly enjoyed 'Indoctrination' which features a Sitar-like instrument and a wicked beat and 'Forever Falling', which sees Tremonti taking lead duty following his significant improvement as frontman of his own act.Throw Myles Kennedy – at the very least a contender for the classiest vocalist in classic rock – into the mix and the results are hardly likely to be subdued. In fact, there are so many nuances in the songs, Walk The Sky sits nicely on top of my list of favorite Alter Bridge records.