Alter Bridge frontman Myles Kennedy has made it clear that the band’s newly released self titled album has nothing to do with politics, despite some listeners drawing those conclusions.
Speaking in a new interview with France’s Loud TV, Kennedy addressed speculation around the lyrical themes on Alter Bridge’s eighth studio album, which landed on Friday (January 9th) via Napalm Records.
“I can assure you this record, there’s not an ounce of political [content]. Nothing came from politics, but I’ve been fascinated [to see that people think that it did]… I’ve been hearing that,” Kennedy said. “And I think it highlights kind of the state of the world that people are so — it’s so on their mind, and they can try to apply it to anything.”
Kennedy explained that the lyrics across the album were shaped by personal experiences rather than current events, focusing on relationships, internal conflict, and navigating toxic dynamics.
“But no, these lyrics were all kind of inspired by a totally different set of circumstances, kind of interpersonal relationships and dynamics of dealing with toxicity and drama and how to navigate those waters,” he continued.
“But yeah, there’s not an ounce of politics on any of these songs.”
The clarification stands in contrast to Alter Bridge’s past work. In 2016, Kennedy openly acknowledged that ‘Show Me A Leader’, from The Last Hero, was influenced by political frustration and public disillusionment.
At the time, he described writing the opening line after overhearing political commentary on television.
“Well, they’re selling another messiah here tonight,” Kennedy recalled thinking, adding that the song reflected “the frustration that people are feeling with the current state of things, leadership, a certain disillusionment.”
Mark Tremonti weighs in
Guitarist Mark Tremonti also weighed in back then, noting the track suited “this time, this climate in the world right now, with all the chaos going on and all the circus that is politics.”
That context makes Kennedy’s comments about Alter Bridge all the more deliberate, songs like ‘Rue The Day’, ‘Disregarded’, and ‘Scales Are Falling’ may sound confrontational, but the band insists the conflict is internal, not ideological.
The album was once again produced by longtime collaborator Michael ‘Elvis’ Baskette and recorded across California’s 5150 studio and Baskette’s Florida base.
Alter Bridge will take the record on the road with the ‘What Lies Within’ tour, launching its European run on January 15th before heading to the US in late April.
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