Walk the Sky

Last updated

Walk the Sky
Alter Bridge - Walk the Sky.png
Studio album by
ReleasedOctober 18, 2019
RecordedMarch–May 2019
StudioStudio Barbarosa, Orlando, Florida
Genre
Length60:20
Label Napalm
Producer Michael Baskette
Alter Bridge chronology
Live at the Royal Albert Hall (featuring The Parallax Orchestra)
(2018)
Walk the Sky
(2019)
Walk the Sky 2.0
(2020)
Singles from Walk the Sky
  1. "Wouldn't You Rather"
    Released: June 28, 2019 [2]
  2. "Pay No Mind"
    Released: July 25, 2019 [3]
  3. "Take the Crown"
    Released: August 22, 2019 [4]
  4. "In the Deep"
    Released: September 12, 2019 [5]
  5. "Dying Light"
    Released: October 3, 2019 [6]
  6. "Godspeed"
    Released: December 21, 2019
  7. "Native Son"
    Released: September 15, 2020
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Blabbermouth.net 7.5/10 [7]
Classic Rock Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [8]
Kerrang! Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [9]
Ultimate Guitar Archive 8.3/10 [10]
Time for Metal10/10 [1]
Sonic PerspectivesStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg
Distorted SoundStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg
Q Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg

Walk the Sky is the sixth studio album by American rock band Alter Bridge, released on October 18, 2019 via Napalm Records. It was produced by the band's longtime collaborator Michael Baskette, who has produced all of the band's albums since 2007's Blackbird . The album's first single, "Wouldn't You Rather", was released on June 28, 2019. A second single, "Pay No Mind", was released on July 25, 2019, with four further singles, "Take the Crown", "In the Deep", "Dying Light", and "Godspeed" later released. The album's cover art was designed by Dan Tremonti, brother of guitarist Mark Tremonti; its packaging was designed by Sturge Media and Janus Music Mgmt. Along with the announcement of the album's release, it was also revealed that the band would embark on a European tour with Shinedown, Sevendust and the Raven Age towards the end of 2019. [11]

Contents

A deluxe edition of the album, titled Walk the Sky 2.0 , was announced on September 15, 2020 and due out on November 6, 2020 via Napalm Records. The seven-track EP consists of a brand new song, "Last Rites", plus six live favourites from Walk the Sky. [12]

It was named one of the 50 best rock albums of 2019 by Loudwire . [13]

Background

Walk the Sky was recorded from the beginning of March through to May 2019. This album was recorded differently from the band's previous record due to scheduling constraints, with vocalist Myles Kennedy and guitarist Mark Tremonti sharing their own song ideas, which were then moulded into shape alongside bassist Brian Marshall and drummer Scott Phillips. On previous albums, Kennedy and Tremonti would combine ideas and riffs with producer Michael Baskette. [14]

"It's kinda like a John Carpenter movie — this old-school synth-wave kind of vibe," Tremonti explained in a 2019 interview with Kerrang! "Somebody might hear the record and have no idea that was intended, but for a batch of songs, I tapped into some old loops that I either created or found randomly online, and worked with them in the background to inspire me to go in a different direction. I loved working like that. We challenge ourselves to not repeat ourselves and find new inspiration to add a different layer to what we do. It's particularly challenging when you've had so many records, but when I showed Myles what I was thinking, he absolutely loved it and was on board right away." [15]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Alter Bridge

Standard edition
No.TitleLength
1."One Life"1:23
2."Wouldn't You Rather"3:51
3."In the Deep"3:50
4."Godspeed"4:16
5."Native Son"4:15
6."Take the Crown"4:47
7."Indoctrination"4:40
8."The Bitter End"3:44
9."Pay No Mind"4:16
10."Forever Falling"5:10
11."Clear Horizon"4:56
12."Walking on the Sky"4:55
13."Tear Us Apart"4:31
14."Dying Light"5:46
Total length:60:20
Walk the Sky 2.0 (deluxe edition)
No.TitleLength
15."Last Rites"4:07
16."Wouldn't You Rather" (Live)4:03
17."Pay No Mind" (Live)4:29
18."Native Son" (Live)4:27
19."Godspeed" (Live)4:28
20."In the Deep" (Live)4:03
21."Dying Light" (Live)5:58
Total length:91:15

Personnel

Alter Bridge

Production

Artwork

Charts

Chart (2019)Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA) [16] 7
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria) [17] 3
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) [18] 32
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia) [19] 28
Canadian Albums (Billboard) [20] 27
Czech Albums (ČNS IFPI) [21] 69
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) [22] 16
French Albums (SNEP) [23] 74
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) [24] 5
Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ) [25] 14
Irish Albums (IRMA) [26] 68
Italian Albums (FIMI) [27] 18
Japanese Albums (Oricon) [28] 98
Polish Albums (ZPAV) [29] 21
Portuguese Albums (AFP) [30] 46
Scottish Albums (OCC) [31] 3
Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE) [32] 25
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan) [33] 59
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) [34] 1
Swiss Albums (Romandie) [35] 1
UK Albums (OCC) [36] 4
UK Independent Albums (OCC) [37] 1
UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC) [38] 1
US Independent Albums (Billboard) [39] 1
US Top Hard Rock Albums (Billboard) [40] 1
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard) [41] 1
US Top Album Sales (Billboard) [42] 1
US Billboard 200 [43] 16

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alter Bridge</span> American rock band

Alter Bridge is an American rock band from Orlando, Florida. The band was formed in 2004 by vocalist and rhythm guitarist Myles Kennedy, lead guitarist Mark Tremonti, bassist Brian Marshall and drummer Scott Phillips. After their former band Creed became inactive in 2003, Tremonti and Phillips formed a new band with former bandmate Marshall and new member Kennedy; Alter Bridge was formally unveiled in January 2004, months before Creed's official breakup in June.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Tremonti</span> American rock musician

Mark Thomas Tremonti is an American guitarist and singer, best known for his tenures with the rock bands Creed and Alter Bridge. He is a founding member of both bands, and has also collaborated with many other artists over the years. He formed his own band Tremonti in 2011 and has released five albums with them, including A Dying Machine, which was adapted by Tremonti and science fiction novelist John Shirley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rise Today</span> 2007 single by Alter Bridge

"Rise Today" is a song by American rock band Alter Bridge. Written by lead guitarist Mark Tremonti and lead vocalist Myles Kennedy, it was produced by Michael "Elvis" Baskette and appeared on the band's 2007 second studio album Blackbird. The track was released as the lead single from the album on July 31, 2007, peaking at number 3 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alter Bridge discography</span> Band discography

The discography of Alter Bridge, an American rock band, includes seven studio albums, four live albums, one box set, one extended play (EP), 26 singles, two video albums and 14 music videos. Formed in Orlando, Florida, in 2004, Alter Bridge consists of Myles Kennedy and former Creed members Mark Tremonti, Brian Marshall and Scott Phillips. The band released its debut album One Day Remains in 2004, which reached number 5 on the US Billboard 200 and was certified gold by the RIAA. Two of the three singles from the album – "Open Your Eyes" and "Find the Real" – reached the top ten of the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.

<i>AB III</i> 2010 studio album by Alter Bridge

AB III is the third studio album by American rock band Alter Bridge, released on October 8, 2010. Produced by Michael Baskette, the album is a departure from the band's first two albums; lyrically, it is a loose concept album dealing with darker lyrical themes of struggling with faith, while musically, the album's sound is more dynamic and progressive than previous recordings. AB III is also the first Alter Bridge album to be released on Roadrunner Records, making it the band's third consecutive album to be released on a different label. The album was released on Roadrunner Records worldwide except North America, where it was self-released on Alter Bridge Recordings via Capitol Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Isolation (Alter Bridge song)</span> 2010 single by Alter Bridge

"Isolation" is a song by American rock band Alter Bridge, released as the first single from its third album, AB III. The song was made available as a digital download on September 26, 2010, in the United Kingdom by Roadrunner Records and October 25, 2010, in the United States by the band's own vanity label. Musically, "Isolation" is heavy and aggressive, featuring the band's style while retaining a melodic chorus and incorporating elements of alternative metal and modern heavy metal. The lyrics explore metaphorically isolating oneself from faith and belief, a common theme throughout the record. A music video for the song was released on December 6, 2010. The song was included in the racing video game Dirt 3 in 2011.

<i>All I Was</i> 2012 studio album by Tremonti

All I Was is the debut studio album by Tremonti, a band formed by the lead guitarist for the American rock bands Creed and Alter Bridge, Mark Tremonti. Produced by Michael "Elvis" Baskette, the album shows prominent thrash metal influences. It showcases the debut of Tremonti as a lead vocalist and features guitarist, bassist, and backing vocalist Eric Friedman and drummer Garrett Whitlock, both former members of Submersed. The album was released to critical acclaim on July 17, 2012, by FRET12 Records.

<i>Fortress</i> (Alter Bridge album) 2013 studio album by Alter Bridge

Fortress is the fourth studio album by American rock band Alter Bridge, released by Roadrunner Records on September 25, 2013. Michael Baskette, who produced Alter Bridge's previous two albums, Blackbird (2007) and AB III (2010), returned as the producer. It was released by Roadrunner Records worldwide except in the United States, where it was self-released on October 8, 2013, through Warner Music, Roadrunner Records passed to be an subsidiary of Warner Music, after EMI disappear a year before. It is their only album since their debut album One Day Remains not to be released in October. The lead single, "Addicted to Pain", was released on August 12, 2013. The album was widely acclaimed, with several critics calling it the band's best album to date and giving praise to each of the band members' musical skills displayed on the record.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Addicted to Pain</span> 2013 single by Alter Bridge

"Addicted to Pain" is a song by American rock band Alter Bridge. Written by lead vocalist Myles Kennedy and lead guitarist Mark Tremonti, it was released as the lead single from the band's fourth studio album Fortress on August 12, 2013 in Europe and on August 20, 2013 in the US. The song peaked at number 4 on the US Billboard Mainstream Rock chart and reaching the top 20 of several other Billboard charts.

<i>World on Fire</i> (Slash album) 2014 studio album by Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators

World on Fire is the second studio album billed to the American band Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators, consisting of Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash and his backup band, released on September 10, 2014; it also acts as Slash's third solo album.

<i>Silence in the Snow</i> 2015 studio album by Trivium

Silence in the Snow is the seventh studio album by American heavy metal band Trivium. It was released on October 2, 2015, through Roadrunner Records. It is the first and only album to feature third drummer Mat Madiro, who joined the band in May 2014 and before he had departed from the band in December 2015. It is the band's only album to date to not feature any harsh vocals. Michael "Elvis" Baskette was hired as the producer whom the band had met while recording In Waves album back in 2011.

<i>Dust</i> (Tremonti album) 2016 studio album by Tremonti

Dust is the third studio album by heavy metal band Tremonti. It was released on April 29, 2016, via FRET12 Records. Dust was recorded during the same time that Cauterize was being recorded. The record was produced by Michael "Elvis" Baskette, who produced Tremonti's past two records and also produced Alter Bridge's records.

<i>The Last Hero</i> (album) 2016 studio album by Alter Bridge

The Last Hero is the fifth studio album by American rock band Alter Bridge, released on October 7, 2016, by Napalm Records worldwide except in North America, where it was released on the band's own vanity label. It was produced by longtime collaborator Michael "Elvis" Baskette. The album's first single, "Show Me a Leader", was released digitally and to rock radio on July 26, 2016. On September 8, 2016, "My Champion" was released as the album's second single. The album's third single, "Poison In Your Veins", was released on June 12, 2017.

<i>Live at the O2 Arena + Rarities</i> 2017 live album by Alter Bridge

Live at the O2 Arena + Rarities is the third live album by American rock band Alter Bridge. Recorded on November 24, 2016, at The O2 Arena in London, England, during the tour for 2016's The Last Hero, the album also features a disc of tracks initially released as bonus tracks on special editions of previous studio albums, as well as two previously unreleased songs that were recorded in 2004. It was released by Napalm Records on September 8, 2017.

<i>Year of the Tiger</i> (Myles Kennedy album) 2018 studio album by Myles Kennedy

Year of the Tiger is the debut studio album by American musician and singer-songwriter Myles Kennedy. His first release as a solo artist, it was released on March 9, 2018, by Napalm Records. The album is a musical departure from the hard rock music of Kennedy's other projects, instead featuring a stripped-back blues-based sound. A concept album, it explores the death of Kennedy's father in 1974, the year of the Tiger in the Chinese calendar.

<i>A Dying Machine</i> 2018 studio album by Tremonti

A Dying Machine is the fourth studio album and first concept album by American heavy metal band Tremonti. It was released on June 8, 2018, via Napalm Records. The record was produced by Michael "Elvis" Baskette, who produced Tremonti's past three records and also produced Alter Bridge's records. The album is accompanied by a full-length novel under the same name written by Mark Tremonti and John Shirley, tying together loose ends of the album's plot. Frontman Mark Tremonti stated that the album is the most dynamic and diverse in his entire catalog. The album's first radio single, "Take You with Me", was released April 16, 2018. The single peaked at number 32 on the US Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart in June 2018.

<i>The Ides of March</i> (album) 2021 studio album by Myles Kennedy

The Ides of March is the second solo album by American singer and guitarist Myles Kennedy. It was released on May 14, 2021 via Napalm Records. In an interview with Kylie Olsson, Kennedy stated that he was listening to this record and told himself that he basically just made a "rock" record but only adding elements from his previous solo effort like acoustic guitar and lap steel guitar.

<i>Marching in Time</i> 2021 studio album by Tremonti

Marching in Time is the fifth studio album by American heavy metal band Tremonti. It was released on September 24, 2021, via Napalm Records. The record was produced by Michael "Elvis" Baskette, who produced Tremonti's past four records. The title track was released on August 3, 2021. The riff of "Now and Forever" was elected by Guitar World's readers as the best of 2021.

<i>Walk the Sky 2.0</i> 2020 EP by Alter Bridge

Walk the Sky 2.0 is the second EP by American rock band Alter Bridge following the studio album Walk the Sky. It was announced on September 15, 2020 and released on November 6, 2020 by Napalm Records. It includes seven tracks with one new track titled "Last Rites" and six live versions of songs from Walk the Sky.

<i>Pawns & Kings</i> 2022 studio album by Alter Bridge

Pawns & Kings is the seventh studio album by American rock band Alter Bridge. It is the follow-up to 2019's Walk the Sky. It was released on October 14, 2022, via Napalm Records.

References

  1. 1 2 H., Peter (October 15, 2019). "Alter Bridge – Walk The Sky". time-for-metal.eu.
  2. "Alter Bridge: Wouldn't You Rather (Official Video)". YouTube . Alter Bridge. June 28, 2019. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  3. https://genius.com/Alter-bridge-pay-no-mind-lyrics [ bare URL ]
  4. https://genius.com/Alter-bridge-take-the-crown-lyrics [ bare URL ]
  5. https://genius.com/Alter-bridge-in-the-deep-lyrics [ bare URL ]
  6. https://genius.com/Alter-bridge-dying-light-lyrics [ bare URL ]
  7. Lawson, Dom (October 18, 2019). "CD Reviews - Walk The Sky Alter Bridge". Blabbermouth.net .
  8. Leivers, Danni (October 18, 2019). "Alter Bridge's Walk The Sky: a transformative shift in scope". loudersound.com.
  9. "Album Review: Alter Bridge – Walk The Sky". Kerrang!. October 17, 2019. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  10. Lausch, Travis (October 20, 2019). "Walk the Sky review by Alter Bridge". ultimate-guitar.com.
  11. "Alter Bridge Announce 'Walk the Sky' Album + 2019 European Tour". Loudwire . June 14, 2019.
  12. "Alter Bridge Announce Walk the Sky 2.0 EP — Kerrang!".
  13. "The 50 Best Rock Albums of 2019". Loudwire . December 5, 2019. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
  14. "Alter Bridge announce new album Walk the Sky - and reveal 2019 tour dates". June 14, 2019.
  15. "Mark Tremonti On Alter Bridge's New Album: 'We Challenge Ourselves To Not Repeat Ourselves'". Kerrang!. June 18, 2019. Retrieved June 18, 2019.
  16. "Australiancharts.com – Alter Bridge – Walk the Sky". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 26, 2019.
  17. "Austriancharts.at – Alter Bridge – Walk the Sky" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 1, 2019.
  18. "Ultratop.be – Alter Bridge – Walk the Sky" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
  19. "Ultratop.be – Alter Bridge – Walk the Sky" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
  20. "Alter Bridge Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  21. "Czech Albums – Top 100". ČNS IFPI. Note: On the chart page, select 43.Týden 2019 on the field besides the words "CZ – ALBUMS – TOP 100" to retrieve the correct chart. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  22. "Dutchcharts.nl – Alter Bridge – Walk the Sky" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
  23. "Lescharts.com – Alter Bridge – Walk the Sky". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
  24. "Offiziellecharts.de – Alter Bridge – Walk the Sky" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
  25. "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 2019. 43. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
  26. "Irish-charts.com – Discography Alter Bridge". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 26, 2019.
  27. "Italiancharts.com – Alter Bridge – Walk the Sky". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 26, 2019.
  28. "Alter Bridge". Oricon . Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  29. "Oficjalna lista sprzedaży :: OLiS - Official Retail Sales Chart". OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
  30. "Portuguesecharts.com – Alter Bridge – Walk the Sky". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
  31. "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 26, 2019.
  32. "Top 100 Albumes – Semana 43: del 18.10.2019 al 24.10.2019" (in Spanish). Productores de Música de España . Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  33. "Swedishcharts.com – Alter Bridge – Walk the Sky". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 26, 2019.
  34. "Swisscharts.com – Alter Bridge – Walk the Sky". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  35. "Lescharts.ch – Alter Bridge – Walk the Sky" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved September 3, 2022.
  36. "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 26, 2019.
  37. "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 3, 2022.
  38. "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 3, 2022.
  39. "Alter Bridge Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
  40. "Alter Bridge Chart History (Top Hard Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
  41. "Alter Bridge Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
  42. "Alter Bridge Chart History (Top Album Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
  43. "Alter Bridge Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 29, 2019.