Interview and Live Photo by Robert Cavuoto
Myles Kennedy (vocals/guitars), Mark Tremonti (guitars/vocals), Brian Marshall (bass), and Scott Phillips (drums) of Alter Bridge return with their eighth studio album on January 9, 2026, via Napalm Records.
With more than two decades as one of rock’s most consistently acclaimed bands, Alter Bridge are kicking off 2026 with their new self-titled album, delivering 12 songs that rank high among their best work.
The band continues to blend their dynamic musical perspectives, delivering a hard-hitting mix of commercial hard rock and heavy metal. Their sound unites four diverse musicians whose inspirations span a wide spectrum, and is marked by a sense of urgency and vigor unique to Alter Bridge.
The 12 songs feature powerful riffs, big melodic choruses, and blinding guitar solos by both Myles and Mark. It’s everything the band’s faithful followers have come to expect, while pushing their signature sound forward. Songs like “Power Down” and “Rue the Day” explode with the crunchy, rousing guitar and fiery vocals. The album doesn’t let up until the ruthless closer of “Slave to Master.” An epic finale and stands as the band’s longest song ever recorded, with an indelibly perfect closing solo by Myles and Mark.
Pre-production and the drums were recorded over two months this spring at Eddie Van Halen’s legendary 5150 Studios in California, and then all the guitar parts and vocals were finalized at producer Michael “Elvis” Baskette’s studio in Florida.
Preorders are available at https://www.lnk.to/AB-AlterBridge.
In my conversation with Myles, he explained that Alter Bridge ultimately chose a self-titled album because it captures the band’s pure essence, a more stripped-down, guitar-driven sound with no added textures or experimentation, making it a natural reflection of who they are. He also shared some of the possible titles that the band considered before settling on the self-titled approach.
Lyrically, Kennedy said the album centers on personal relationships, emotional boundaries, and avoiding toxic situations, often pairing darker themes with uplifting melodies and massive choruses, a contrast he deliberately embraces.
He described the songwriting process as emotionally intense, likening it to method acting, where he puts himself in a situation to focus on its delivery, which can be quite draining. On stage, however, he doesn’t allow himself go too far down the emotional rabbit hole so he can stay focused and sharp, particularly with his guitar playing. He also teased that the band’s upcoming tour features a top-secret setlist that has him relearning songs.
With pre-production for the album taking place at 5150 Studios, thanks to Wolfie, Myles revealed exactly where inside the legendary studio he found himself looking for musical inspiration.
Looking ahead, Kennedy expressed excitement about opening for Iron Maiden in South America, and hopes of getting a photo with their mascot, Eddie. He confirmed that the next Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators album is fully recorded and awaiting mixing. When asked how many songs made the cut, he paused and joked, “At least one.” Check out the full interview for all the insights, details, and laughs.
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