CONCERT REVIEW: Alter Bridge Take New Album ‘Pawns & Kings’ To Amsterdam

Alter Bridge are one of the steadiest bands in the scene. Every 3 years, the band releases a new album, followed by a very extensive tour taking on atleast the US, UK and Europe to promote the release. After this tour, the band members focus on various other musical or otherwise projects in their life, to then create a new album and do the cycle all over again. This time, Alter Bridge are back in Amsterdam to promote the release of their new record Pawns & Kings and we were stoked for their return!

Alter Bridge did not come alone. For these massive shows in Europe and the United Kingdom, popular band Halestorm was direct opener. Besides being away for a few years being a valid reason for a new tour in Europe, Halestorm have also released their new album Back From The Dead this year

Halestorm are one of those bands that you’ll have to see at least once and honestly, preferably once. We have seen Halestorm half a dozen times throughout the years and we have been looking at the exact same show since 2013. This band is so talented on stage and off, but in my humble opinion they have to spend some time and effort into leveling up their live show.

Vocalist Lzzy Hale’s voice has this immeasurable strength, which is one of the key ingredients in the success formula that is Halestorm, alongside drummer Arejay Hale’s entertaining drum solo that unfortunately has stayed about the same too throughout the years. With songs like I Miss The Misery and Love Bites (So Do I) and the epic Familiar Taste Of Poison you can’t miss and all things considered, they were a very strong opening act.

After the release of their brand new album Pawns & Kings, Alter Bridge are flying across the globe again for some big shows. Where they usually take on the AFAS Live, the band wanted a change of scenery and swapped to the Ziggo Dome, also because the AFAS Live was booked this same evening for the Powerwolf show. 

Just like Halestorm, Alter Bridge’s primary focus during a liveshow is to properly play their  technical music. With Myles Kennedy’s iconic voice and Mark Tremonti’s signature sound, you can’t really go wrong. Playing a very mixed setlist, with 6 out of 7 albums being featured with a slight focus towards the new album Pawns & Kings and the band’s first album One Day Remains.

Personally, we were very pleased with 3 live renditions from the band’s 2013 album Fortress, as Waters Rising showcases Tremonti’s vocal skills alongside his usual guitar duty and the start of Cry Of Achilles live is just an absolute delight. Besides their musical talent, Alter Bridge brought some CO2 cannons and big screens, but contrary to the shows we witnessed earlier this week in the same venue (Nightwish, Evanescence & Within Temptation), the music itself was the only key ingredient.

Alter Bridge don’t change too much, on albums or their approach towards live shows, but with a new album and new tour every 3 years, it is enough to keep the fans entertained and coming to shows, us included. And if Alter Bridge will have us, we will gladly be back for their next tour in 2025. Check out some photos from the band’s performance in Amsterdam in the gallery below.

Halestorm:

Alter Bridge:

Glenn van den Bosch

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