III is where I came in and thanks to Myles Kennedy’s collaboration with Slash on Back From Cali and Starlight, from Slash's eponymous solo debut, I became an immediate fan of Kennedy’s vocal style that would then lead me to become a fan of Alter Bridge. I’ve no doubt some fans may lament Kennedy’s extracurricular activities with Slash, but without it, I may not have found Alter Bridge.
Released in 2010, III remains my favourite Alter Bridge album to date and while I thoroughly enjoy their fourth album, Fortress, I find it isn’t nearly as tight as III as it feels as though it is a collection of songs rather than a uniformed album. Whereas III doesn’t suffer that same fate. It is surprising then to acknowledge that I have Fortress on vinyl but not III. Insane, I know, but what can you do. Well, I could always pick up the stunning 2019 Music On Vinyl reissue, couldn’t I?.
In the meantime, however, Apple Music will have to suffice and while it isn’t delivered as an Apple Digital Master, and subsequently suffers from the same brickwalling as the CD release, III remains sonically beautiful with a soundstage that while shallow in places, is well defined and has an intimate feel. Given the chosen mastering, I find it is less fatiguing when listening on headphones rather than speakers and that is most probably the best reason to consider the vinyl reissue as the dynamic range on that particular release is reportedly almost twice that of the digital counterpart.
Slip To The Void sets the tone for the entire album and is, in my opinion, a stunning opening track that is atmospheric and involving for the listener, ensuring this is not a passive listening experience.
Isolation takes the album up a notch but going from the more open sound of Slip To The Void, Isolation is, by comparison, the song which showcases the most brickwalling; listen to those cymbal crunches throughout. It’s a shame and does initially detract from the song and the overall album experience, but the mind settles down after a while and I hope this is one element that is fixed on the vinyl reissue because it’s about the only major complaint I have when listening to III.
Ghost Of Days Gone By is arguably softer, particularly in the beginning, in tone when compared to Alter Bridge’s usual styling, but it works so well and not only is the entire band capable of such an undertaking, but Kennedy’s vocal is perfectly suited to the Ghost Of Days Gone By and in one respect it could be suggested that this is one of the greatest songs ever sung by Kennedy.
All Hope Is Gone is spectacular!
Still Remains has a killer tribal beat and rhythm feel to it. It reminds me of Mike Wengren’s (Disturbed) drumming and Zakk Wylde’s (Black Label Society) guitar styling; both of whom I thoroughly enjoy so that comment is one of admiration and other than some cymbal crunching, Still Remains is exceptional.
Make It Right is a solid tune, works well as part of the album, but it isn’t a song I would seek out on its own and I feel it is the weakest of the 14 songs included on III. I find Kennedy’s vocal here isn’t the greatest, it sounds a little whiny, and the overall musicality is, in my opinion, far below the skillset of Alter Bridge during the III era.
Wonderful Life is beautiful!
I Know It Hurts is the toe-tapping, head-bopping, rock tune that is perfectly suited to follow Wonderful Life. It’s a great song, one of the best on the album, but that could be said of so many songs on III. Alter Bridge really set the bar high with III and while your opinion may differ, dear reader, I’m not sure they’ll ever beat it.
Show Me A Sign will encourage you to get your air guitar out, close your eyes, and strum along. Another great song in an album that simply doesn’t let up.
Fallout is a mixing masterpiece, thank you Brian Sperber, and is one of my absolute favourite Alter Bridge songs.
Breathe Again really highlights Kennedy’s vocal pitch capabilities and that guitar track is simply gorgeous. If you haven’t already, I’d recommend turning the volume up on this track, especially in the second half of the song as it rocks.
Coeur D’Alene is a song I have mixed feelings about. I find my mind is distracted when I listen to it. When I think about it further, I think it is a disconnect between the verses and the chorus that throws me. It is as if the bridge isn’t allowing for a seamless transition.
Life Must Go On is incredible. I love it!
Words Darker Than Their Wings is a solid song to close the album on, but part of me wishes that Words Darker Than Their Wings could have been tracked before Life Must Go On as I feel the latter would have been a stronger song to close the album with. Regardless, I feel compelled to listen to III again and as I did while writing this review, I progressed through Alter Bridge’s catalogue of music.
Overall, III is nothing short of extraordinary. It isn’t only my favourite Alter Bridge album, but I’d argue that it is one of the greatest rock and roll albums of the modern era and will, with time, become a classic record.