Article and Photos by: Rob Brown

Oklahoma City, OK — The Ides of March 2023 did not come with an ominous warning as the date has become synonymous with since ancient Rome and the assassination of Julius Caesar, instead March 15, 2023, witnessed alternative metal band Alter Bridge bring their Pawns and Kings tour The Criterion in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma with special guests Mammoth WVH and Pistols at Dawn.

As the house lights dimmed and the band began to play, the energy in the venue was palpable, and the crowd was ready to rock. The band opened with a bang, launching into new music from their seventh album, Pawns and Kings, and the song “Silver Tongue,” and the audience erupted in cheers. The powerful vocals of lead singer Myles Kennedy were flawless, and the guitar riffs from Mark Tremonti were nothing short of incredible. The rest of the band – bassist Brian Marshall and drummer Scott Phillips – provided a tight rhythm section that kept the energy high throughout the evening’s setlist that was developed around the band’s catalog of classic songs and new music.

The night had several highlights that rewarded the Oklahoma City audience during the band’s performance. One of the highlights was when Alter Bridge played “Blackbird,” a fan-favorite and one of their most iconic songs. The audience sang along to every word, and the emotion in the room was palpable. Immediately following the performance of “Blackbird” the fans were treated to a song that made the setlist for the first time during the tour from the Blackbird album, “Come to Life.”

Another standout moment during the performance was when the band played “Metalingus,” which is perhaps best known as the theme song for WWE superstar Edge. The crowd went wild as the band tore through the song, and it was clear that everyone in the room was having an absolute blast and feeding the band with their energy.

As the setlist ended, the band had introduced fans to four new songs from their new album, numerous hits from their other six studio albums, acoustic performances, and those in attendance experienced an encore performance that closed the set with “Rise Today.

Overall, the Alter Bridge concert was a truly unforgettable experience. The band’s musicianship was top-notch, and their passion for performing was evident in every note they played. If you can ever see Alter Bridge live, do not miss it – it is a concert experience. You’ll find more information about Alter Bridge, the Pawns and Kings album, and future show dates at https://alterbridge.com.