Troy Stetina and 80s speed metal legend Michael Angelo Batio were invited to the stage during the Alter Bridge set at the Rave, in Milwaukee. After Batio displayed his ambidextrous mastery, Troy crushed the audience with a performance of Beethoven's Appassionata. The two then joined the band for a four-guitar version of Deep Purple's Highway Star. "It was great fun!" -- Troy. Check out the review of the show, below!
REVIEW by Nathan Lichtman, Milwaukee Journal/Sentinel
Freed from Creed, Bridge men rock
By the time Alter Bridge took the stage at the Rave Saturday night, it was clear that the group's former life as Creed was long forgotten. Creed's remnants - guitarist Mark Tremonti, bassist Brian Marshall and drummer Scott Phillips - played tighter and stronger as Alter Bridge than they ever did in the earlier band. From the opening notes of "One Day Remains," the melodically efficient title track from the group's debut album, Alter Bridge looked like a band that had just woken from a coma to realize it had won the lottery.
The real star Saturday night, though, was lead singer Myles Kennedy,
who with a giant grin and Chris Cornell-like vocals proved he's ready for the big time. After asking the crowd to make some noise, Kennedy, formerly with Mayfield Four, was overwhelmeed by the loud repsonse. "That just consoled all our inner childs," he joked. Kennedy's vocals on the anthemic rock of "Burn It Down," "The End Is Here" and the set closer, "Open Your Eyes," echoed through the Rave like it was a 20,000 seat arena. Throughout the set, Kennedy was magnetic and much more entertaining than former Creed singer Scott Stapp.
Dressed in a black T-shirt and jeans, Tremonti bounced between frenetic solos and arena-size power chords while Phillips hit the skins harder and faster than he has in the past. Tracks like "Broken Wings," and the larger-than-life rock of "Find the Real" resonated well with the large crowd, which ran the gamut of ages and backgrounds.
Tremonti also invited two of his heroes - ambidextrous guitarist Michael Angelo Batio and virtuoso Troy Stetina - to play for the crowd and later join the band for a rousing four-guitar cover of Deep Purple's "Highway Star." The peculiar move turned out to be a success and the crowd cheered both guest guitarists.
Judging by the smiles on their faces and roar of the crowd, the guys in Alter Bridge don't have to worry about reuniting Creed down the road.
...And some pics from backstage at the Rave, before the show:
Mark Tremonti recently split with Creed singer Scott Stapp to form a new band, AlterBridge, which includes the three former members of Creed with new vocalist Myles Kennedy. Troy recently spent a week in Orlando helping Mark with solos to be on the new disk. "It's SHREDDIN'!" The debut album is due out August 10th. :)
Hal Leonard Corporation has now released DVD versions of Troy's Beginning Rock Lead Guitar and Beginning Rock Rhythm Guitar videos. Although they start from scratch, these video methods go well beyond simple beginner material. The tab transcription of all examples are also available separately in the Beginning Rock Lead Guitar and Beginning Rock Rhythm Guitar pocket guide books.
Troy's band EP is now on Stetina.com. This is a limited-run Promo EP CD, not available in stores. Produced with Mark Tremonti, members include Dan Lenegar on vocals, Ed Shapanske on drums, and Troy Stetina on guitar and bass. Of the working relationship with Mark, Troy says, "He helped with our arrangements a lot. After working with him I came to appreciate his talents that much more. The guy's a melodic genius. It's no surprise to me that he's been so successful as the primary songwriter of Creed."
Troy's Black Sabbath DVD is now available; "Best of Black Sabbath - Signature Licks DVD".
Troy's latest book is now out, "The Very Best of Ozzy Osbourne - Signature Licks" book/CD. "This one was more a labor of love than anything else. I put in a lot of extra time to get it just right, because Randy was one of my primary inspirations as a guitarist." --Troy
Troy took on private teaching of guitarist Mark Tremonti of Creed. "He wants to shred big time, and bring back old school guitar! Have to say, I wouldn't mind that a bit." --Troy
The Beethoven shred masterclass is now available. Check it out the free download and the lessons on the Masterclass page.
Troy Stetina and Oversoulss annouce they are now working with Chuck Toler/Anger Management. Troy: "Chuck is a brilliant, stand up guy with a long and distinguished career in the music business, and we're proud to be on board with him."
