Alter Bridge III

                                It's easy to 'Slip To The Void' in depression when everything feels like it's slipping away; in anger when nothing goes your way; or disenchantment when you're paid to listen to and review records. How is it? Is it worth it? I wouldn't know, anyways, the opening track starts quiet and then the first blast of guitar sounds something reminiscent of sevendust; there is the powerful wail of the vocalist, guitar heroics, gang vocals, and this ominous feeling of persistence. I sometimes prefer 'Isolation' when I'm not in a good mood, simply because I feel it's in the best interest of myself and everyone around me, because when you're angry you say thing you don't mean or little things seem much worse. This song seems like a great song to listen to when you're angry, but may not be one that fully illustrates that anger, but makes up for it with a great rhythm section, solo, groove, harmonies and vocals that almost sound like... F-bomb I cannot remember! This track has a really nice driving beat and southern-fried hook leading to a sweeter chorus, to the point where you will bare the pain just to try the sfied metal, and let's just say the bridge is not the safest; haunted by 'Ghosts of Days Gone By,' but on the other side are green pastures that somehow still have this strange ending. Again this prominent riff, an upbeat sound despite the title, and the lyrics make it more interesting instead of going the dark and dreary audio accompaniment; there are traces of Alice in Chains' harmonies, a mean metallic bridge, and more guitar heroics which provides proof to the antithesis that 'All Hope is Gone.'  This song's intro and Sevendust rhythm/groove with a soaring signature Myles Kennedy chorus just reinforce the fact that my respect for this band 'Still Remains.' A song of conviction that does not state their belief in God, but may state that there may be a h#ll  (check the chorus). The bridge may collapse, so you fall in the flames if you do not own up to the sins you had committed and try to 'Make It Right' sealing the fate of your judgment day. We erase all of the angst and guitar heroics that battle the redundancy demons and replace them with an uplifting song to document this 'Wonderful Life' built on lovely harmonies, vocals, and a song that is without a defiled sincerity by a change in tone; it is great when there is a change you do not expect, but it weakens the emotional impact when present. 'I Know It Hurts' but I do hear more similarities to Sevendust in this song too, and you should not be offended because they have written some amazing songs. Even with the comparison, Tremonti returns to lift us up as they end the song with a bang in a song we can all relate to because we all fall. The next song is sequenced nicely because it sounds like one for those that have fallen, and are now awaiting their fate in a southern-metal epic just asking to 'Show Me A Sign.' Agai with the sequencing is a tale of one driven by persistence and the desire for the truth in a world of lies, undeniable choruses, solid musicianship, and brooding verses leading to the climax in the 'Fallout.'  Sometimes we may take life for granted, or just get hung up on things that only exist to hold us down, yet we feel we need them. Until we realize that some of those things are worthless we can 'Breathe Again' in a song that is another uplifting chorus lead-harmony monger. Prominent bouncing groove and rhythm, and a song of losing yourself in the bittersweet embrace of fame 'Couer D'Alene' is calling out. Even if Creed never make another album 'Life Must Go On' even if you are six feet from the edge and "You’re trying to find what you need to survive/You're so afraid/You can’t go on/Left in the silence that tears at your heart" in a song that is anthemic for those that have attempted to jump off that literal cliff, or plan to. Kennedy's vocals are as strong as ever, and the sincerity in the delivery is what I like to hear, because not many people realize that others feel the same way. ‘Words Darker Than Their Wings’ sounds like a mixture of Creed, Five Finger Death Punch, and (a little) Alice in Chains. On a scale of one to ten this next song is a ‘Zero.’ Wait, that cannot be right, someone must have forgot to add a one or something; then they have the gall to keep off the traditional album, only available as a bonus track.  Check out: Slip to the Void, Ghosts of Days Gone By, All Hope is Gone, Wonderful Life, I Know it Hurts, Fallout, Life Must Go On, Zero and Home.