Alter Bridge New Single ‘What Lies Within’ with Animated Video
Hard rock titans Alter Bridge are charging into 2026 with their blistering new single ‘What Lies Within’, the second cut from their upcoming eighth studio album, Alter Bridge, set for release on January 9, 2026. Following the seismic buzz of lead single ‘Silent Divide’—already climbing Active Rock charts with 2 million+ views—the quartet (Myles Kennedy on vocals/guitars, Mark Tremonti on guitars/vocals, Brian Marshall on bass, Scott Phillips on drums) delivers a riff-driven cautionary tale about humanity’s inner darkness, backed by an animated video directed by J.T. Ibanez. With a mammoth What Lies Within 2026 Tour kicking off January 15 in Hamburg, Germany, hitting Europe and the US with heavyweights like Sevendust, Daughtry, Filter, and Tim Montana, plus their inaugural Blackbird Festival headlining slot in Cardiff on June 27, Alter Bridge are cementing their legacy as rock’s unyielding juggernaut.
From arena-shaking anthems to their first-ever festival curation, this is Alter Bridge at their peak—two decades of grit, hooks, and solos that “practically break guitar strings.” Stream ‘What Lies Within’, pre-order the album, and grab Blackbird Festival tickets now for a year of hard rock dominance. Horns up—here’s the full scoop.
‘What Lies Within’: A Sonic and Visual Gut-Punch
‘What Lies Within’ roars out the gate with a pummeling guitar riff from Kennedy and Tremonti, propelled by Marshall’s rhythmic growl and Phillips’ relentless drums. Myles Kennedy’s lyrics—“What lies within, beneath the skin, something so dark and foreboding”—weave a haunting narrative, warning of mankind’s hidden shadows while delivering the band’s signature blend of precision riffs and soaring melodies. The animated video, crafted by J.T. Ibanez, amplifies the track’s intensity with stark visuals, a nod to the band’s cinematic edge seen in past clips like “Addicted to Pain.”
Hot on the heels of ‘Silent Divide’—a chart-climber praised by Loudwire for its “towering hooks”— this single sets the stage for the self-titled Alter Bridge album, a 12-track beast recorded at California’s iconic 5150 Studio and Michael “Elvis” Baskette’s Florida base. Standouts include ‘Rue The Day’, ‘Disregarded’, and ‘Scales Are Falling’, which slot seamlessly alongside classics like “Blackbird” or “Isolation.” Highlights like ‘Trust In Me’ (Myles on verses, Mark on choruses) and ‘Tested And Able’ (Mark’s verses, Myles’ choruses over a crushing intro) showcase their vocal interplay, while ‘Hang By A Thread’ channels fan-favorite vibes and ‘Slave To Master’—the band’s longest track ever—closes with epic heft. As Kerrang! raves, it’s “Alter Bridge doing what they do best—blending heaviness with melody.”
Alter Bridge Album: Out January 9, 2026 – Pre-Order Now
The self-titled Alter Bridge, dropping January 9 via Napalm Records, is a landmark for the Florida quartet. Produced by longtime collaborator Michael “Elvis” Baskette (Fortress, Pawns & Kings), it’s their eighth LP and a testament to 20 years of defying odds—six Top 20 Billboard 200 entries, 1 billion streams, and sold-out arenas like O2 London. From ‘Silent Divide’’s chart ascent to ‘What Lies Within’’s dark urgency, the album’s 12 tracks deliver “memorable riffs, infectious melodies, and duelling guitar attack” per Billboard. Pre-order formats (CD, vinyl, digital) are live, with exclusive merch bundles via Napalm’s site—don’t sleep on the limited editions.
What Lies Within 2026 Tour: Europe and US with Heavyweight Supports
Alter Bridge are hitting the road hard, launching the What Lies Within Tour on January 15 in Hamburg, Germany, for a 31-date European blitz through March 5 in Nottingham, UK. Joined by Daughtry and Sevendust, the run hits iconic venues like Amsterdam’s Ziggo Dome and London’s The O2. The US leg follows, kicking off April 25 in Orlando, FL, with Filter, Sevendust (select dates), and Tim Montana, wrapping May 24 in Tampa. Expect 2-hour sets packed with new cuts, classics like “Metalingus,” and maybe a Tremonti or Kennedy solo nod.
Key tour stops:
| Date | City | Venue | Support |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 15, 2026 | Hamburg, DE | Sporthalle | Daughtry, Sevendust |
| Feb 4, 2026 | London, UK | The O2 | Daughtry, Sevendust |
| Mar 5, 2026 | Nottingham, UK | Motorpoint Arena | Daughtry, Sevendust |
| Apr 25, 2026 | Orlando, FL | House of Blues | Tim Montana |
| May 6, 2026 | Chicago, IL | The Salt Shed | Filter, Tim Montana |
| May 24, 2026 | Tampa, FL | Seminole Hard Rock | Filter, Tim Montana |
Full schedule and VIP packages: alterbridge.com
Blackbird Festival: Cardiff Castle, June 27, 2026
Marking a career milestone, Alter Bridge launch their inaugural Blackbird Festival on June 27, 2026, at Cardiff Castle, Wales—a 10,000-cap medieval epicenter ready to quake. Headlining a lineup with Skindred, Florence Black, Cardinal Black, and one more act TBD, it’s a curated celebration of their 20-year legacy and a nod to the iconic “Blackbird” solo (Guitarist Magazine’s greatest ever). Tickets are live via blackbirdfest.com and Ticketmaster.
Why Alter Bridge’s 2026 Run Is Unmissable
Since 2004, Alter Bridge—born from Creed’s ashes—have forged a hard rock empire: Gold-certified One Day Remains, No. 1s like Walk The Sky, and a diehard global fanbase. Pawns & Kings (2022) earned 4.5/5 from Classic Rock; now, the self-titled LP pushes harder, with ‘What Lies Within’’s “dark and foreboding” edge signaling new peaks. The tour’s stacked support (Sevendust’s metal heft, Daughtry’s crossover hooks) and Blackbird Festival’s Welsh castle blowout make this their defining moment. Socials are ablaze: “Myles and Mark at The O2? Cardiff fest? Take my money!”
What’s your top Alter Bridge track for the 2026 setlist? Drop it below—let’s crank the riffs.
FAQs: Alter Bridge’s ‘What Lies Within’ and 2026 Plans
When is ‘What Lies Within’ out?
Out now—stream via all platforms; video on YouTube.
When’s the new Alter Bridge album?
January 9, 2026, via Napalm Records—12 tracks, pre-order live.
Tour details?
Europe: Jan 15–Mar 5, 2026 (Daughtry, Sevendust). US: Apr 25–May 24 (Filter, Sevendust select, Tim Montana). Tickets: alterbridge.com.
Blackbird Festival?
June 27, 2026, Cardiff Castle—Alter Bridge, Skindred, more. Tickets: blackbirdfest.com.
Band lineup?
Myles Kennedy (vocals/guitar), Mark Tremonti (guitar/vocals), Brian Marshall (bass), Scott Phillips (drums).
Why this release matters?
Eighth LP, 20-year legacy—riff-heavy, melody-soaring hard rock at its finest.
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Alter Bridge New Single ‘What Lies Within’ with Animated Video @RockNews
