AB III
AB III | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | October 8, 2010 | |||
Recorded | February–April 2010 | |||
Studio | The Hit Factory/Criteria Studios Miami, Florida Paint It Black Studio Orlando, Florida Studio Barbarosa Bavon, Virginia | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 65:39 | |||
Label | Roadrunner, EMI | |||
Producer | Michael Baskette | |||
Alter Bridge chronology | ||||
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Myles Kennedy chronology | ||||
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Singles from AB III | ||||
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Special Edition cover | ||||
![]() AB III.5 |
AB III is the third studio album by the rock band Alter Bridge, released on October 8, 2010. Produced by Michael Baskette, the album is a departure from the band's first two albums, lyrically because it is a loose concept album dealing with darker lyrical themes of struggling with faith, and musically due to its more dynamic and progressive sound.[3] AB III is also the first Alter Bridge album to be released on Roadrunner Records, making it the band's third consecutive album to be released on a different label.[4] The album was released on Roadrunner Records worldwide except North America, where it was self-released on Alter Bridge Recordings via Capitol Records.[5]
The first single off the album, "Isolation," is the band's most successful single to date and was released on September 26, 2010 in the United Kingdom and November 9, 2010 in the United States.[6][7] AB III received acclaim from music critics; for example, Artistdirect called it a "masterpiece".[8] The album was certified Silver by the British Phonographic Industry, the same certification as Alter Bridge's 2007 album Blackbird.
Background
AB III was written throughout 2008 and 2009, but the songs were arranged generally quickly. Regarding the arrangement and recording process of the album, lead singer Myles Kennedy said that the creation of AB III was different from that of the band's previous album, Blackbird, because the band had about six weeks to put the music together before they started to work with their producer, Michael Baskette. Kennedy said, "I think it actually worked out well, because it's a very spontaneous record."[9]
On June 21, 2010 the band announced that the recording, mixing, and mastering of the album was finished and all that was left was to decide on was the official title, song titles, track listing, and album art.[10] On August 9, 2010, the band announced that the working title of the album, AB III, would actually be the official title after all, stating they think it is "simple yet effective". On the same blog post, they announced each song on the record one by one throughout the day.[11] Later that month it was confirmed that AB III would be released worldwide (excluding North America) on Roadrunner Records, making AB III Alter Bridge's third consecutive album to be released through a different record label. The same press release confirmed a European release date of October 11, 2010 for the new album.[4] On October 6, the band announced that the album is scheduled for a North American release on November 9, 2010 on their own label, Alter Bridge Recordings, a subsidiary of Capitol Records.[5] AB III was first released in Australia three years to the day after their previous album on October 8, 2010.
"Zero" and "Home" were included on the United States version of the album as bonus tracks. The Japanese version contains a bonus track called "Never Born to Follow".[12] Guitarist Mark Tremonti said that AB III could be the band's final studio album and that future Alter Bridge releases may be released digitally or in the form of EPs.[13]
On October 25, 2011 the band released a special edition of the album titled AB III.5, which included the three bonus tracks plus an hour-long documentary titled One by One.[14]
Composition and lyrical content
AB III, initially described by the band as being very dark, heavy, and dynamic, is lyrically a very dark record and a radical departure from the band's first two albums, One Day Remains (2004) and Blackbird (2007), in terms of subject matter. It is a loose concept album, a first for Alter Bridge, about a character "desperately struggling to find their place in a world steeped in doubt and emptiness," whereas the other two Alter Bridge records primarily focus on themes of "hope and perseverance in the face of adversity." Kennedy has said that the album "touches on the thoughts and emotions of someone who has come to question everything that was once regarded as an absolute truth" and that it is about "the realization that everything you once believed in might not exist." However, on AB III, there are songs that touch on other emotions as well such as "Wonderful Life," a song that Kennedy claims was "An extremely emotional song to put together, it took a long time." He then adds, "The lyric was inspired by the idea that there will come a day when we all must say goodbye to the ones we love and hold dear in our hearts. Basically, I asked myself what would I want to say in that final moment, that last goodbye?".[15] [16]
The record is also much more intricate, progressive, and dynamic than their first two albums.[3] It has even been described as progressive metal in some reviews.[17]
Kennedy plays more lead guitar on this album than he does on Blackbird. He said that "[he's] definitely doing things [he hasn't] done in a long time as a guitar player."[18] Tremonti's vocals are also more prominent compared to the band's previous releases, singing co-lead vocals with Kennedy on "Words Darker Than Their Wings," the title of which is derived from a phrase in George R. R. Martin's novel A Game of Thrones.
Reception and chart performance
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
411Mania | 8.0/10[19] |
Allmusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Artistdirect | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Hard Rock Hideout | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Kerrang! | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Reflections of Darkness | 9/10[22] |
Rock Sound | 7/10[23] |
Total Guitar | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Type 3 Media | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
AB III has received critical acclaim. Rob Laing from MusicRadar highly praised it and called it "one of the guitar albums of the year."[25] Claudia Falzone from Outune.net, an Italian music website, also praised AB III and said that it "reveals another unpredictable side" to Alter Bridge, but that because of that, "the earliest fan could not welcome this record immediately" and that the record "will require more than one or two listenings to be appreciated and understood at your best."[26] Petra Whiteley from Reflections of Darkness called AB III "impressive" and a "must-get," and stated that "the musicianship of this album is altogether honed to excellence." She also praised the band by saying that "they are more interested in making music and that authenticity of their art and integrity are more important to them than the commercial side of it." She later went on to say that Alter Bridge "will go far and shouldn’t be missed out on."[22] Rick Florino from Artistdirect gave the record an extremely positive review and a perfect 5 out of 5 score. He said that it is "one of the best rock records of 2010" and called it a "sprawling masterpiece that illuminates just how brilliant this band truly is" and "a juggernaut of an album that places the band firmly in the rock 'n' roll pantheon forever."[8] He expanded on this in an interview with Myles Kennedy by calling the album "everything 21st century rock music should be" and saying that it will "establish this band among the most important in the genre."[27] Entertainment Focus also reviewed the album positively, saying, "Overall this is a great album from the band that sees them all stepping up a notch." However, the reviewer noted that AB III will "test some listeners" and that "[f]ans of the previous two albums may find this one a bit more difficult to digest."[28] The Contrapuntist called AB III "a grand achievement and possibly the best hard rock album of the year."[29] Ultimate Guitar named AB III one of the best ten albums of the year 2010.[30] However, not all reviews have been entirely positive. A reviewer from Type 3 Media said, "Overall AB III is a good effort, but it may not hold up to Alter Bridge’s previous releases."[24]
So far, AB III has performed better on the charts than any of the band's previous albums. On its first day, AB III reached the #1 rock album and #4 overall on the iTunes Store in Germany. In Australia, it reached the #2 rock album. On October 17, 2010 AB III reached #9 in the United Kingdom album charts and #1 in the rock album charts. AB III reached the #1 rock album, and #2 overall, on iTunes in the United States.[citation needed] For the week of November 27, 2010, the album reached #17 on the Billboard 200.[31]
Singles
"Isolation" was released as the first single in September 2010.[citation needed] It generally received very positive reviews from the critics.[citation needed] It became the band's first ever song to top the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks, for 7 weeks.[citation needed] It also topped the active rock charts.[citation needed] It peaked #5 position in the Billboard Rock Songs, #20 in the Billboard Alternative Songs.[citation needed] "I Know It Hurts" was released as the second single from the album for radio airplay worldwide except the U.S.[citation needed] "Ghost of Days Gone By" was the second in U.S. and third overall single, which was released in April 2011.[citation needed]
Track listing
All tracks are written by Alter Bridge
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Slip to the Void" | 4:52 |
2. | "Isolation" | 4:13 |
3. | "Ghost of Days Gone By" | 4:25 |
4. | "All Hope Is Gone" | 4:48 |
5. | "Still Remains" | 4:45 |
6. | "Make It Right" | 4:15 |
7. | "Wonderful Life" | 5:19 |
8. | "I Know It Hurts" | 3:55 |
9. | "Show Me a Sign" | 5:57 |
10. | "Fallout" | 4:21 |
11. | "Breathe Again" | 4:22 |
12. | "Coeur d'Alene" | 4:31 |
13. | "Life Must Go On" | 4:32 |
14. | "Words Darker Than Their Wings" | 5:24 |
Total length: | 65:39 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
15. | "Zero" | 4:39 |
16. | "Home" | 3:29 |
Total length: | 73:48 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
15. | "Never Born to Follow" | 4:06 |
Total length: | 70:13 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
15. | "Zero" | 4:39 |
16. | "Home" | 3:29 |
17. | "Never Born to Follow" | 4:06 |
Total length: | 78:22 |
Personnel
Alter Bridge
- Myles Kennedy – vocals, rhythm and lead guitar
- Mark Tremonti – lead and rhythm guitar, additional vocals, co-lead vocals on "Words Darker Than Their Wings"
- Brian Marshall – bass
- Scott Phillips – drums, percussion
Additional musicians
- String arrangements by Michael Baskette and Dave Holdredge
Production
- Michael Baskette – producer
- Dave Holdredge – engineer
- Brian Sperber – mixing[32]
- Ted Jensen – mastering[33]
- Daniel Tremonti – cover art
- Jef Moll – digital editing
- Tony Adams – drum technician
Release history
Region | Release date | Label |
---|---|---|
Australia, Germany, Ireland | October 8, 2010 | Roadrunner |
United Kingdom | October 11, 2010 | Roadrunner |
United States | November 9, 2010 | Alter Bridge/EMI/Capitol |
Japan | November 24, 2010 | Roadrunner |
Brazil | March 22, 2011 | Roadrunner |
Certifications
Country | Sales | Certification |
---|---|---|
United Kingdom | 80,000+ | Silver |
Worldwide | ---- |
Appearances
- The song "Isolation" was featured in the video game Dirt 3 in 2011.
References
- ^ p_a_morgan. "AB III Review | Alter Bridge | Compact Discs | Reviews @". Ultimate-guitar.com. Retrieved 2013-10-07.
- ^ "Alter Bridge - AB III (album review 4)". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved 2013-10-07.
- ^ a b "New Alter Bridge – AB III – Bio". Alter Bridge's blog. September 8, 2010. Archived from the original on 11 September 2010. Retrieved September 8, 2010.
{{cite web}}
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ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b "Alter Bridge Join Forces With Roadrunner Records". Alter Bridge's blog. August 31, 2010. Archived from the original on 5 September 2010. Retrieved September 8, 2010.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b "AB III to Hit Stores in USA November 9th Featuring Hit Single "Isolation"". Alter Bridge's blog. October 6, 2010. Archived from the original on 14 October 2010. Retrieved October 6, 2010.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Hear a Brand New Track from Alter Bridge". Roadrunner Records. September 6, 2010. Archived from the original on 8 September 2010. Retrieved September 6, 2010.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Isolation – Single by Alter Bridge – Download Isolation – Single on iTunes Archived 2014-06-02 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b c Florino, Rick (2010-10-12). "Alter Bridge "AB III" Review – 5 out of 5 Stars Review". Archived from the original on 14 October 2010. Retrieved 2010-10-12.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Myles Kennedy Talks About The New Alter Bridge Album on YouTube
- ^ "Entire Recording Process Finished on Third Alter Bridge Album". Alter Bridge's blog. June 21, 2010. Retrieved 17 September 2016.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Alter Bridge (August 9, 2010). "New Alter Bridge Album's Title and Tracklisting". Alter Bridge's blog. Retrieved 17 September 2016.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "AB III: Alter Bridge". Amazon. Retrieved October 20, 2010.
- ^ Mark Tremonti speaks about the potential end of full length albums. This Is Listening. 2010. Archived from the original on 2013-07-18. Retrieved October 22, 2010.
{{cite AV media}}
: Unknown parameter|dead-url=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "ALTER BRIDGE: 'AB III.5' CD/DVD Special Edition Detailed". Blabbermouth.net. 2011-09-21. Archived from the original on 2012-09-18.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|dead-url=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "New Alter Bridge - AB III - Bio". Archived from the original on 2010-09-11.
- ^ "Alter Bridge - Meaning of Wonderful Life".
- ^ "AB III Review". Ultimate Guitar Archive. Archived from the original on 11 October 2010. Retrieved October 8, 2010.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Rob Laing (July 13, 2010). "Myles Kennedy (Alter Bridge, Slash) interview". MusicRadar. Future Publishing Limited. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
- ^ Shanbrom, Benjamin. "Alter Bridge – AB III Review". Retrieved 2010-02-25.
- ^ Gregory Heaney (November 9, 2010). "AB III – Alter Bridge". AllMusic. Retrieved November 9, 2010.
- ^ "Alter Bridge – AB III (2010)".
- ^ a b Petra Whiteley (September 25, 2010). "Alter Bridge – AB III". Reflections of Darkness. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
- ^ Moorhouse, Giles. "Alter Bridge – 'AB III'". Archived from the original on 19 October 2010. Retrieved 2010-10-25.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b P. J. (October 7, 2010). "Album Review: Alter Bridge – AB III". Type 3 Media. Archived from the original on 2010-10-10. Retrieved October 8, 2010.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Rob Laing (September 17, 2010). "Alter Bridge – AB III: Track-by-track review". MusicRadar. Future Publishing Limited. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
- ^ Claudia Falzone (September 15, 2010). "Alter Bridge: AB III première [English Version]". Outune.net 4.0. Archived from the original on 11 October 2010. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Rick Florino (October 11, 2010). "Myles Kennedy of Alter Bridge Talks "AB III," Slash and John Irving". Artistdirect. Rogue Digital, LLC. Archived from the original on 13 November 2010. Retrieved October 20, 2010.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Justin Ng (October 15, 2010). "Alter Bridge – AB III". Entertainment Focus. Pip. Archived from the original on 20 October 2010. Retrieved October 20, 2010.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Album Review: AB III by Alter Bridge". The Contrapuntist. December 15, 2010.
{{cite web}}
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(help) - ^ "UG Top Ten Albums Of 2010". Ultimate Guitar. December 24, 2010. Archived from the original on March 10, 2011.
{{cite web}}
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(help); Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Billboard 200". Billboard.com. Archived from the original on 23 November 2010. Retrieved November 22, 2010.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Alter Bridge (May 11, 2010). "Alter Bridge in New York – Finalizing Mixing of Third Album". Alter Bridge's blog. Archived from the original on 21 May 2010. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
- ^ Mark Tremonti (June 3, 2010). "Short Update from Mark Tremonti About AB III". Alter Bridge's blog. Retrieved 17 September 2016.[dead link][permanent dead link]