Rockers ALTER BRIDGE Return With Latest Single “Playing Aces”.
- Rock Metal Machine
- 16 minutes ago
- 5 min read
With less than six weeks until the arrival of their eighth studio album on January 9, 2026, ALTER BRIDGE return with their brand-new single, “Playing Aces.” The track bursts open with the band’s trademark dual-guitar firepower as Myles Kennedy (vocals/guitars), Mark Tremonti (guitars/vocals), Brian Marshall (bass), and Scott Phillips (drums) lock into the muscular groove that has defined their sound for more than two decades. The propulsive verses build into a soaring, unforgettable chorus, highlighted by Kennedy’s declaration: “If I risked it all, I hope you’ll understand that I had to play my hand…”
“Playing Aces” is available now across all digital service providers. The accompanying music video—directed by J.T. Ibanez—is also out today and can be seen below.
Myles Kennedy explains:
“The term ‘Playing Aces’ ties in with the gambling analogy of risking everything regardless of how many times you’ve failed in life. It’s a last-ditch effort to come out on top.”
With over twenty years as one of rock’s most consistently acclaimed bands, ALTER BRIDGE continue to push forward. Renowned for their towering riffs, infectious melodies, and masterful guitar interplay, the quartet will release their self-titled eighth studio album on January 9, 2026 via Napalm Records.
The forthcoming album features 12 brand-new tracks that capture some of the band’s most compelling work to date. Songs like “Rue The Day,” “Disregarded,” and “Scales Are Falling” stand tall alongside staples from the ALTER BRIDGE catalog. “Trust In Me” showcases the powerful vocal chemistry between Kennedy and Tremonti, with Myles taking lead on the verses and Mark commanding the chorus—an approach they flip on “Tested and Able,” one of the band’s heaviest introductions to date. “Hang By a Thread” is primed for the live stage, echoing the energy of fan-favorite anthems, while album closer “Slave to Master” delivers an epic finale and marks the longest track the band has ever recorded.
The first single, “Silent Divide,” continues its ascent at Active Rock and has already surpassed 4 million views on YouTube. Longtime producer Michael “Elvis” Baskette once again joins the band for the project, recorded over two months this spring at both the legendary 5150 Studios in California and at Elvis’ studio in Florida.
Alter Bridge track listing:
1) Silent Divide (5:06)
2) Rue The Day (4:46)
3) Power Down (4:08)
4) Trust In Me (4:48)
5) Disregarded (3:55)
6) Tested And Able (4:36)
7) What Lies Within (5:07)
8) Hang By A Thread (4:11)
9) Scales Are Falling (5:54)
10) Playing Aces (4:05)
11) What Are You Waiting For (5:00)
12) Slave To Master (9:03)
Alter Bridge is currently available for pre-order in the following formats:
-1-CD 6p Digisleeve, 12p Booklet
-2-LP Gatefold BLACK, Lyric Sheet
-2-LP Gatefold TRANSLUCENT VERDE - VETRI (INDIE exclusive)
-2-LP Gatefold TRANSLUCENT VERDE - VETRI + autographed postcard (NEWBURY exclusive, limited to 50)
-1-CD 6p Digisleeve + autographed postcard (NEWBURY exclusive, limited to 250)
-2-LP Gatefold SPLATTERED BLACK SMOKE/ WHITE ORANGE BLACK, 12p Booklet (Napalm Records mailorder exclusive)
-2-LP BLACK, White Label Edition + hand-numbered Covercard (Napalm mailorder international-only exclusive) - SOLD OUT!!!
-2-LP Gatefold MARBLE COLORLESS BLACK & RED BLACK OLD PURPLE, 12p Booklet (Napalm Records exclusive)
-LP Box incl. 2-LP Gatefold SPLIT BLACK/MILK, 12p Booklet, 5-Tack Bonus Picture Vinyl in Plastic Sleeve, Artprint (Napalm mailorder international-only exclusive)
-1-CD 6p Digisleeve + "Hang By A Thread” Shirt Bundle (Napalm Records exclusive)
-2-LP Gatefold SPLATTERED CRÈME BLACK, 12p Booklet (Band exclusive)
-2-LP Gatefold MARBLE BLACK SMOKE, 12p Booklet (Band exclusive)
-2-LP Gatefold CRISTALLO MILK GLITTER, Lyric Sheet (Band exclusive)
-1-CD Jewel Case (Ticket Bundle for Townsend exclusive) + Guitar Pick (Band exclusive)
To coincide with the new album, ALTER BRIDGE will hit the road in support of the release on the What Lies Within Tour. The 31-date European run kicks off January 15 in Germany and wraps March 5 in Nottingham, UK, with Daughtry and Sevendust joining as special guests. The band has also announced a headlining U.S. tour featuring Filter or Sevendust and Tim Montana on select dates. The trek begins April 25 in Orlando, FL and concludes May 24 in Tampa, FL. Full ticketing information and VIP package details can be found at www.alterbridge.com
European What Lies Within Tour 2026:
Jan 15 – HAMBURG, GERMANY – Sporthalle
Jan 17 – OSLO, NORWAY – Sentrum Scene
Jan 18 – OSLO, NORWAY – Sentrum Scene
Jan 20 – STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN – Annexet
Jan 22 – HELSINKI, FINLAND – Ice Hall Black Box
Jan 24 – COPENHAGEN, DENMARK – KB Hallen
Jan 25 – BERLIN, GERMANY – Columbiahalle
Jan 27 – GLIWICE, POLAND – Prezero Arena Gliwice
Jan 28 – BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – Barba Negra
Jan 30 – VIENNA, AUSTRIA – Gasometer
Jan 31 – ZAGREB, CROATIA – Bocarski Dom
Feb 02 – ROME, ITALY – Atlantico
Feb 03 – BERGAMO, ITALY – ChorusLive Arena
Feb 05 – ZURICH, SWITZERLAND – The Hall
Feb 06 – LYON, FRANCE – Halle Tony Garnier
Feb 08 – BARCELONA, SPAIN – Razzmatazz 1
Feb 10 – LISBON, PORTUGAL – Sagres Campo Pequeno
Feb 12 – MADRID, SPAIN – Palacio Vistalegre
Feb 13 – BORDEAUX, FRANCE – Arkea Arena
Feb 15 – LUXEMBOURG, LUXEMBOURG – Rockhal
Feb 17 – OBERHAUSEN, GERMANY – Oberhausen Turbinenhalle
Feb 18 – PARIS, FRANCE – Zenith
Feb 20 – MUNICH, GERMANY – Zenith
Feb 22 – AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – Ziggo Dome
Feb 23 – BRUSSELS, BELGIUM – Ancienne Belgique
Feb 25 – NEWCASTLE, UNITED KINGDOM – Utilita Arena
Feb 26 – MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM – AO Arena
Feb 28 – DUBLIN, IRELAND – 3Arena
Mar 02 – GLASGOW, UNITED KINGDOM – OVO Hydro
Mar 04 – LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – The O2
Mar 05 – NOTTINGHAM, UNITED KINGDOM – Motorpoint Arena
Jun 27 – CARDIFF, WALES – Blackbird Festival @ Cardiff Castle
What Lies Within U.S. Tour
Apr 25 – Orlando, FL – House of Blues – TM
Apr 26 – Atlanta, GA – Coca-Cola Roxy – 7D/TM
Apr 28 – Houston, TX – Bayou Music Center – F/TM
Apr 29 – Dallas, TX – South Side Ballroom – F/TM
May 1 – Tulsa, OK – Osage Casino Hotel, Skyline Event Center – F/TM
May 2 – Omaha, NE – Steelhouse Omaha – F/TM
May 5 – Green Bay, WI – EPIC Event Center – F/TM
May 6 – Chicago, IL – The Salt Shed – F/TM
May 9 – Atlantic City, NJ – Event Center at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa - F
May 10 – Boston, MA – Citizen House of Blues Boston – F/TM
May 12 – Huntington, NY – The Paramount – F/TM
May 13 – Montclair, NJ – The Wellmont Theater - F/TM
May 18 – Pittsburgh, PA – The Roxian Theatre – F/TM
May 19 – Detroit, MI – The Fillmore Detroit – F/TM
May 21 – Nashville, TN – The Pinnacle – 7D/TM
May 22 – Birmingham, AL – Avondale Brewing Company – F/TM
May 24 – Tampa, FL – Seminole Hard Rock Tampa Event Center – F/TM
ALTER BRIDGE online:
Pre-order our forthcoming edition
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