Verdict: four stars
It's been almost two years since Alter Bridge played their last Glasgow gig at the SECC and, as they take to the stage, the anticipation is palpable.
Fans may have been rewarded for their patience last month with the release of Fortress, the band's first album in three years, but the desire to see their heroes in the flesh has not yet been satisfied.
As the band take to the stage and launch into the powerful intro of new track Addicted to Pain, the electric atmosphere at the behemoth that is the SSE Hydro erupts into a euphoria of rapturous applause, screams, spilt pints and moshpit madness.
White Knuckles, Come to Life and Before Tomorrow Comes go down a storm, while Farther than the Sun and Cry of Achilles show that the more metal sound found on the group's fourth album Fortress sits perfectly with their hard rock back catalogue.
The arena rockers, who formed from the ashes of Creed in 2004, have built up a huge following through touring and watching them it's easy to see why. The group don't put a note wrong all night, with singer Myles Kennedy providing a masterclass on how to keep an audience eating out the palm of your hand.
Ghosts of Days Gone By prompts one of many fan singalongs, with Kennedy conducting the crowd with ease. Brand New Start and Cry of Achilles show off the phenomenal virtuoso talents of guitarist Mark Tremonti, while taking over vocal duties on Waters Rising gives him the chance to demonstrate his singing skills.
A powerful rendition of Blackbird, complete with pick slides, proves to be a particular highlight that shows off the band at their very best. An impromptu appearance by a bee on stage results in a moment's mayhem as Kennedy tries to avoid its advances. "That's a first", he exclaims as he returns to his seat for an acoustic duet of Watch Over You with Lzzy Hale from Halestorm, bringing a new and different dynamic to a fan favourite.
After a rousing rendition of Rise Today, the band leave the stage for a brief moment before being coaxed back for an encore. Launching into Slip to the Void, some impromptu jazz and metal track Isolation, they finished the night with a rousing rendition of their 2005 breakthrough hit Open Your Eyes.
It may have been a long wait but tonight the American hard rockers proved that it was definitely worth it.
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