Pawns & Kings (Alter Bridge - VII)

[Crumbso]

Also, he said “buckle up” when someone said for them to go full on prog.. I’m excited.

I choose not to read anything into it. I don't want to get all geed up to be disappointed. I do like that it sounds more like another thematically-linked album-centric release though.

[Timotheus]

That's a teaser!

Liking the idea of releasing less content before the album. If that's what Tim means with that statement. I always appreciate the intent of doing things differently.

[maximzub]

From Tim T an hour ago on the Alter Bridge Facebook group..

“Personally I feel AB is angry again.

Angry… again.

This got me thinking, when were AB angry before?

No lie, most of Fortress and some songs from The Last Hero were pretty angry.

[AB23]

They're having a 2nd angsty teen phase and I'm here for it

[UninvitedZero]

They're having a 2nd angsty teen phase and I'm here for it

Do we finally hear a singular F-Bomb from Myles on an AB record?? That was pretty huge for World On Fire... Probably not enough to warrant a parental advisory sticker in this day and age!

[AB23]

By the way, I just missed my 10th year anniversary. There were no cakes at this party.

[zazthespaz]

By the way, I just missed my 10th year anniversary. There were no cakes at this party.

We all did! You missed more than that too, but welcome back!

[MylesKennedy69]

It was leaked that the first single Pawns and Kings releases on July 18th.

Here's the art:

[joshuabeau]

Holy shit! I love that artwork!

[anguyen92]

Maybe the song titles/artwork are based off of chess motifs.

[DarkKnight12]

So it seems like the first single will be the title track? If it is indeed an « epic » I would be disappointed if that was released as a single.. I’d rather they keep those for the actual album release as I won’t be able to resist listening to it if it releases in 2 weeks

[riemslag1]

I personally don't care for any singles beiing released before the album-release. Prefer not to have any. Just want that presale of the album to start at the AB-website and Napalm.

[UninvitedZero]

If that artwork is real, that is sick! I love the color scheme and the cloaked figures! I reminds me some of Iron Maiden's Dance Of Death album cover with Spider-Man's Mysterio in the foreground... The hype, it builds!

[Timotheus]

Pretty cool artwork. Maybe the title track will be less 'epic' than Fortress and The Last Hero? Or maybe they're releasing a single version of it?

If it's the full version, and if it's an epic, kudos to them!

[UninvitedZero]

I didn't even think about that. I assumed it was the album art.
Realizing it could be for a single kinda worries me... I'd much rather get a 4 minute arena banger as a lead single that could potentially find some radio play, instead of on the 18th receiving the potentially epic closing title track and spoil whatever tricks and secret flavors the album may have right off the bat...

Who am I kidding? Whichever tune drops on the 18th will be devoured either way! But I swear I'm only allowing myself ONE single before October!

But I'm also reminded of when Tremonti dropped A Dying Machine as a single ahead of Take You With Me. Again, "the album was a journey" and the title track was definitely a good way to introduce the concept, sounds like that's the idea AB has got for P&K? Maybe this is closer to a real concept album than even ABIII?

So many questions! 12 days...

[Dolo]

I'm guessing the release is on the 19th as music comes out on Tuesdays en Fridays in the US.

[Timotheus]

Bands like Avenged Sevenfold have released songs like The Stage and Nightmare as lead singles, which aren't prog songs, but to AB's standards relatively complex. Those songs did great and got a great reception, so I think it would be a great move by AB to release one of the best songs initially, no matter how "complex". If there are more commercial songs, those can always be released at a later point.

But maybe this is a One Day Remains situation, and the title track is a 3 minute upbeat song

[RevenantGB]

That artwork is simply gorgeous.

[Dan Dando]

If they slap that artwork on a shirt then I’m going to have to part with some cash.

[Dan Dando]

That artwork is simply gorgeous.

Dan Tremonti has come a long way since The Last Hero’s big ol’ head getting pelted by arrows.