Alter Bridge is an American rock band formed in Orlando, Florida, in 2004. The group consists of vocalist and guitarist Myles Kennedy, guitarist Mark Tremonti, bassist Brian Marshall, and drummer Scott Phillips. Tremonti, Marshall, and Phillips had previously played together in Creed, but Alter Bridge was conceived as a new band with a different frontman and a broader musical direction. Kennedy, formerly of the Mayfield Four, joined after Tremonti and Phillips heard his work.
The band took its name from a bridge near Tremonti's childhood home on Alter Road in Detroit. Alter Bridge was formally introduced in early 2004, shortly before Creed officially broke up. Its debut album, One Day Remains, appeared on Wind-up Records in August of that year. Built around Tremonti's muscular guitar writing and Kennedy's clear, powerful vocals, the album combined post-grunge accessibility with hard rock weight. It reached No. 5 on the Billboard 200 and became the band's only album to receive a gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America. "Open Your Eyes" became a key early single, while "Metalingus" gained additional visibility after professional wrestler Edge adopted it as his entrance theme.
Alter Bridge's second album, Blackbird, arrived in 2007 and established the central formula that would define much of the band's career: heavy riffs, prominent vocal melodies, extended arrangements, and technically demanding guitar work. The title track became especially well known for its intertwined guitar solos, while songs such as "Rise Today" and "Ties That Bind" demonstrated the band's ability to balance arena-sized choruses with darker, more reflective writing. Blackbird also began the group's long creative partnership with producer Michael "Elvis" Baskette.
AB III, released in 2010, moved toward more serious and introspective material. Its lead single, "Isolation," topped the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart. The band followed with Fortress in 2013, an ambitious record marked by intricate structures, aggressive performances, and a greater emphasis on progressive metal influences. The album is often regarded as one of the band's most dynamic statements, with "Addicted to Pain," "Cry of Achilles," and "Waters Rising" becoming prominent live songs.
The Last Hero appeared in 2016 and continued the band's interest in large-scale themes and dramatic arrangements. It was followed by Walk the Sky in 2019, which introduced more electronic textures while retaining the group's emphasis on guitar-driven rock. A deluxe edition, Walk the Sky 2.0, was released in 2020. The band returned to heavier, more expansive songwriting on Pawns & Kings in 2022, an album that included the lengthy title track and "Fable of the Silent Son."
Alter Bridge's eighth studio album, Alter Bridge, was released on January 9, 2026, through Napalm Records. Recorded with Baskette, it reaffirmed the band's established combination of precision riffing, soaring hooks, vocal harmonies, and extended guitar passages. By this point, the group had built a substantial international following through arena tours, festival appearances, and concert releases including Live from Amsterdam, Live at Wembley, and Live at the Royal Albert Hall with the Parallax Orchestra.
Although its members have remained active in Creed, Slash's projects, Tremonti, and other collaborations, Alter Bridge has maintained the same core lineup since its formation. The band's enduring identity rests on the contrast between Kennedy's melodic vocal presence and Tremonti's forceful, highly recognizable guitar style.