It’s been exactly one month since Alter Bridge released their self-titled album. So, there’s been some time to let things marinate and see where this one ranks among the group’s eight total studio records.
While some of these rankings are a bit easier than others, there’s a portion of Alter Bridge’s catalogue that’s tough to pin down. Personally, my top Alter Bridge album and my eighth were the easiest selections, whereas 2-4 is extremely difficult.
But enough rambling. Here is every Alter Bridge studio album ranked, from 2004’s One Day Remains to 2026’s self-titled record.
Alter Bridge Studio Album Rankings
8. The Last Hero (2016)
This one was put in an impossible position. You never want to be the dude who has to follow “The Dude,” and that’s the exact spot The Last Hero found itself in.
Having said that, this record has plenty of bite to it. Several of Alter Bridge’s album-opening songs are riff-driven (Ties That Bind, This is War and Silent Divide), but only two go on for a minute-plus before Myles Kennedy’s vocals pierce through — Fortress’ Cry of Achilles and The Last Hero’s Show Me a Leader. While the latter isn’t on the same level as the former, it’s another impressive tone setter for its respective album.
The Writing on the Wall then maintains the momentum and vibe established by the first track, followed by The Other Side — the first song from the record that really hit home for me when this album dropped in 2016.
Ultimately, all of Alter Bridge’s other work is what puts The Last Hero at the bottom of the list.
Listen to The Last Hero here:
7. One Day Remains (2004)
If you enjoy both Alter Bridge and Creed, you probably like this album more than I do. As much as Kennedy’s sound differs from Scott Stapp’s in a big way, there’s still a bit of Creed in Alter Bridge’s first record.
Don’t get me wrong, this is still a really good album (that went gold, by the way). It features the song Alter Bridge is most known for outside of the band’s loyal fanbase (Metalingus) thanks to WWE’s Edge, and it includes songs (like Open Your Eyes and Broken Wings) that are still prominent at concerts over 20 years later.
But after One Day Remains, Alter Bridge found its true sound.
Listen to One Day Remains here:
6. Walk The Sky (2019)
Ranking this at No. 6 is probably my hottest Alter Bridge take.
Every Alter Bridge album has its own identity, but none differ from the pack quite like Walk The Sky. Took me a second to warm up to it.
But when I fell for it, I fell hard.
One thing that really enhanced my experience was knowing the band’s view of this record. Walk The Sky is the yang to AB III’s yin. Once I had that information, I went from liking this album to loving it more and more with each listen.
That understanding also help me realize something. Through 6 records, Alter Bridge had carefully crafted a catalogue that has great emotional range. They’ve since built on it further with their two most recent records, but Walk The Sky was the missing piece to that point in the band’s life.
Even with a song called Dying Light, Walk The Sky is Alter Bridge’s bit of brightness.
Listen to Walk The Sky here:
5. Alter Bridge (2025)
Just when you thought Alter Bridge was a riff-heavy group, we get this.
The self-titled album opens with an elite riff that’s been ringing in my head since it first dropped as a single. As the Mark Tremonti and Kennedy shredding ensues, everything is a build-up to possibly their most guitar-solo-heavy song to date (including their projects outside of Alter Bridge).
While it’s among the bottom half of the eight studio albums that Alter Bridge has done so far, this very much worthy of the self-titled billing.
Listen to the self-titled album here:
4. Pawns & Kings (2022)
This is where things get tricky for me. I could make the case for this being No. 2 or 3.
If I was to describe Pawns & Kings in a word, it’d be: unapologetic. There’s an in-your-face start that lingers up until the title (and final) track. Despite there being a rebellious nature to a lot of Alter Bridge’s music, no other studio album has a start-to-finish fight-back feel like Pawns & Kings.
While This is War is my favorite track from Alter Bridge’s seventh studio record, Last Man Standing is one of their smartest songs.
Listen to Pawns & Kings here:
3. Blackbird (2007)
Could easily put this at two. I’d feel wrong putting it down at four.
This is where Tremonti, Brian Marshall and Scott Phillips fully found their groove with Kennedy. It’s also when the group realized they featured a second elite guitarist — as if having one of the greatest of all time in Tremonti wasn’t enough.
There is so much that makes this band unique from both new and old rock bands. While Kennedy’s vocals are what jump out first, the combination of his blues foundation on guitar with Tremonti’s metal base may be what separates Alter Bridge from the rest more than anything else.
Watch Over You, Rise Today and Blackbird are still setlist staples. The title track is still largely considered the band’s best song — an opinion I won’t argue with. (The Live at Wembley version might be my favorite recorded version of this song.) Experiencing Blackbird live is something all rock fans should make a point of doing.
Listen to Blackbird here:
2. AB III (2010)
This is when I first found the band. A good bit after WWE fans (and those who stuck around following Creed’s break-up), but that’s all right. Isolation made sure I wasn’t left out.
The moment I heard AB III’s iconic single in college, I was dumbstruck. I still remember where I was (school library — I swear, I was studying a little, too). And while that’s still one of my favorites from the album, Words Darker Than Their Wings hits me in a way that only Blackbird can. Listening to Tremonti and Kennedy sing Words Darker Than Their Wings’ chorus in unison is an experience unlike any other, and the entire song’s lyrics are marvelous.
The darkest of the bunch, it remains a fan favorite more than a decade after its release.
Listen to ABIII here:
1. Fortress (2013)
Never mind this list, Fortress is an all-time rock album.
Addicted to Pain is one of Alter Bridge’s more popular singles. The open-close Cry of Achilles and Fortress (title track) pairing is epic. Those are the three songs from this record that’d likely pop up for a new fan. Very understandable. I love each.
But when I tell you Fortress has no skips, it is not the slightest bit of hyperbole. (Truthfully, I don’t skip on the majority of Alter Bridge’s records, but it’s a borderline sin to do it with Fortress.)
Amazing mix from start to finish. From the writing to the rhythm to the guitar solos, this is a display of everything Alter Bridge is and can be.
Listen to Fortress here:
Alter Bridge FAQ
Who are Alter Bridge’s band members?
The band’s original and current members are Myles Kennedy (lead vocals/guitar), Mark Tremonti (lead guitar/vocals), Brian Marshall (bass) and Scott Phillips (drums).
Which Alter Bridge members are in Creed?
Mark Tremonti, Brian Marshall and Scott Phillips are also original members of Creed.
Was Myles Kennedy in a band before Alter Bridge?
Myles Kennedy performed in various bands before joining Alter Bridge. Prior to joining the trio of then-ex-Creed members, Kennedy was in The Mayfield Four.
How many people listen to Alter Bridge?
2,558,164 people listen to Alter Bridge on Spotify monthly.
What other band is Myles Kennedy in besides Alter Bridge?
Alter Bridge’s front man also works alongside Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer’s supporting group is known as Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators.
Also, both Kennedy and Tremonti have also released multiple solo records.
