As bombastic as ever, as anthemic as a Alter Bridge single gets… But does it cut it?
As a die hard, the expectations for new AB is always brewing and to say this is an unbiased review would be simply untrue. In fact, the band could commit a number of atrocities and I’d still not dislike a damn thing they do. The truth is, this song can only be ranked amongst the immense catalogue of material we’ve already had the treat of hearing.
‘Wouldn’t You Rather’ is the first single from the up and coming 6th studio album ‘Walk The Sky,’ arriving 18th October 2019. As far as a first glimpse into a new era for AB, the track by no means fails to capture the attention. In fact it cements a rather under appreciated guitar duo of Tremonti and Kennedy, the way they blend to contrasting styles is and always will be remarkable and the intro to this track is no exception. The melodic whisper distortion of the intro brings a dark aura that blissfully sets up the sheer power of Tremonti, building tension slowly for an all but expected foot stomping riff. This is soon accompanied by a delicately precise lead line that’s equally as haunting as the short intro builds in anticipation for those vocals.
The introductory passages of this track solidify the band as a stable of the hard rock and alternative metal scene, which they’ve so clearly evolved and shaped over a career spanning more than 15 years. The latter of which has continued in a darker vibe than earlier efforts as the bands expanded and found its identity, building on more of the heavier and sludgy elements that feel Gojira Inspired. What is demonstrated in this short space of time is the blending of the dark ambience of AB3 and the more anthem like divulges that were prevalent across ‘The Last Hero’ record. The blending of both is undoubtedly the tracks strongest aspect, the versus seem a little tame and the lower register vocals and effects used take a little time to settle in, but once you’re with it, the result is something that is very familiar and its certainly a grower.
There’s something infectious about an uplifting theme delivered in a manner that is aimed to kick you in the arse, to fulfil an aim or a goal, to give your full potential. Thematically, this is a something that if you’re aware of Alter Bridge isn’t new, take a track like ‘My Champion’ as a prime example. So lyrically, the versus highlight the impact of ‘selling yourself short.’ Whilst the chorus offers more of a optimism matched my the immense guitar lick that is syncopated with the drums.
Ultimately, you have to stack this albums leading single with previous tracks like ‘Show Me A Leader’ or ‘Addicted to Pain.’ Does it stack up to the power of Addicted to Pain’s intro or Show Me a Leaders political charge. Put simply, yes, it does kind of cut it. It personifies AB, what you’d expect and has the production to accompany it. it’s essentially everything to be expected from a first single. It maybe doesn’t carry as much as those other two singles, but the bar is set so incredibly high and the track has its strengths in the quality of its riffs and obvious immense vocal delivery and has a really cool video.
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