In the early 1990’s, Arrival (Long Island New York), brought forth the AOR/Arena Rock of the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s – Big harmonies and catchy choruses. It is hard to fathom that an unknown, original band would aspire to write, record, and perform music in a style that was soon to be outmoded. In early […]
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5th March 2026
Support: Daughtry, Sevendust
Words & Photos: Tim Finch
The final night of a tour always carries a different kind of energy. When Alter Bridge rolled into Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena to close out their UK and European run, the atmosphere felt like a celebration. Fans packed the arena aware that this was the last chance to witness the band’s current set in full flight.
Opening the evening were Atlanta veterans Sevendust, who wasted no time igniting the crowd. Kicking off with ‘Black’ and quickly rolling into ‘Denial’, the band delivered their trademark blend of groove-heavy riffs and soaring vocal hooks. Frontman Lajon Witherspoon commanded the stage with effortless charisma, his voice filling the arena as the band tightened the screws with ‘Is This the Real You’ and the ever-reliable crowd favourite ‘Enemy’
As the set continued with ‘Praise’, ‘Crucified’ and the crushing ‘Face to Face’, Sevendust proved exactly why they remain one of metal’s most dependable live acts. The chemistry between the band members was obvious, and the band loved every minute, smiles ear to ear as they played (and Mark Tremonti watched on in the wings). For a band playing early in a stacked bill, they delivered a performance that could easily have headlined a smaller venue, leaving the Nottingham crowd thoroughly warmed up.
Next up was Daughtry, whose polished brand of arena rock provided a stylistic shift while keeping the momentum high. Opening with ‘Divided’ and ‘The Bottom’, frontman Chris Daughtry showcased the powerhouse voice that first brought him to global attention. His vocals carried effortlessly through the arena, particularly during the emotional sweep of ‘The Day I Die’ drawing a huge response from the audience.
One of the sets standout moments came with their cover of ‘Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)’ by Journey. The band gave the classic track a heavier edge without losing its soaring melody, and the Nottingham crowd enthusiastically joined in.
Closing their set with ‘Pieces’, ‘Over You’ and the punchy ‘Heavy Is the Crown’ the band finished on the newer material ‘Artificial’ which sat comfortably alongside the older favourites. Daughtry’s set started well but felt a little long as they neared the hour mark, a punchy half hour set in the sun with a beer at a festival would be the ideal booked for this band, through in a Journey cover and you’ve won the crowd over.
By the time Alter Bridge took the stage, the atmosphere inside the Motorpoint Arena had reached fever pitch, the whole bowl was full to capacity, as was the floor as the many thousands in the building waiting in anticipation.
Opening with the thunderous ‘Silent Divide’ the band immediately demonstrated why they’ve become one of modern rock’s most respected live acts. Guitarist Mark Tremonti and vocalist Myles Kennedy locked into their signature interplay, while the rhythm section powered through ‘Addicted to Pain’ and the epic ‘Cry of Achilles’.
The setlist pulled generously from across the band’s catalogue, including the riff-heavy ‘Playing Aces’ and the towering ‘Fortress’. Tremonti stepped forward to take lead vocals on ‘Burn It Down’ delivering a muscular performance that showcased his many varied talents.
As the set moved on momentum continued with the swaggering ‘Silver Tongue’ before the anthemic ‘Rise Today’ sent the arena into full voice. As the opening riff of ‘Metalingus’ rang out, the response was deafening, proof that the band’s early classic remains a cornerstone of their live repertoire or maybe there were a few Adam Copeland fans in attendance?
Of course, no Alter Bridge show would be complete without ‘Blackbird’ and the encore delivered exactly that. The epic track unfolded with breathtaking precision, its guitar work and Kennedy’s soaring vocals creating a spine-tingling moment that reminded everyone why the song has become such a defining piece of the band’s legacy.
They closed the night with the relentless punch of ‘Isolation’ bringing their UK and European tour to a triumphant conclusion. The band return in the summer, including a very special show at Cardiff Castle in June, grab your tickets for that now, as that will be a once in a lifetime experience!
Photo Credits: Tim Finch Photography
The post Live Review: Alter Bridge – Nottingham appeared first on The Razor's Edge.
Canadian progressive rock titans Rush, having just announced an extensive new tour for 2026 and 2027, release an expanded deluxe box set of their 1984 album Grace Under Pressure. Here is what you get for your money.
Release Date: 13 March 2026
Words: Robert Adams
The Grace Under Pressure Deluxe Box Set has a fully remastered version of the original album, plus a Terry Brown remix of the album. There is also the full concert, featuring previously unreleased tracks from their Grace Under Pressure Live concert film, recorded in Toronto on 21 September 1984 at Maple Leaf Gardens.
There is more, with a 5.1 and Dolby Atmos mix of the album, the full film of the Grace Under Pressure Live release, and a hardback book featuring liner notes from Geddy Lee and brand new artwork from long-time collaborator Hugh Syme. Also included is a replica tour programme and a ticket from the Toronto concert and poster, LED light-up display, 6-page press release and three band photo lithographs.
As you can imagine, all these goodies do not come cheap, but is it worth you shelling out your hard-earned money for this deluxe box set?
To fully appreciate what has been done sonically with this deluxe box set, I listened to my original copy of Grace Under Pressure a few times before giving the tracks contained in the box set a spin.
Firstly, GUP is an album I am very fond of. The remastered version is clearer to my ears, but it is the Terry Brown remix that makes you sit up and take notice. It is so much brighter than the original and the remaster.
For those unaware, Terry Brown was Rush’s long-time producer, and the band had a meeting with him during the Signals tour in Miami. He was told that the band were going to use a different producer for their next album, which was Grace Under Pressure. There was no animosity from either party at this news.
The band wanted to stretch their sound and felt that a different producer would help. After the Signals tour wrapped and the band took a well-earned break, the search for a producer began in earnest. Steve Lillywhite was pencilled in to do the job, but chose to produce Simple Minds instead.
The search for Rush continued before English producer Peter Henderson (Supertramp, Frank Zappa, Wings) was brought on board, although the album credits Rush and Peter Henderson as co-producers.
“Our songwriting had taken us to a different musical place,” Geddy Lee said, “an expansion of our soundscape with a range of new technologies, not just keyboards and samples, but electronic drums too, while getting to know the new dude behind the console with a very different working style.”
By all accounts, the band found Henderson to be indecisive and took matters into their own hands on many occasions during the recording sessions.
Alex Lifeson has been critical of the guitar taking a back seat on the keyboard-heavy Signals album. Grace Under Pressure brought Lifeson’s guitar back, albeit with a strong keyboard backing.
Rush were never afraid to push their sound and incorporate new influences within their songwriting, and Grace Under Pressure is no exception. There is reggae, new wave and straight-up rock all contained within the grooves of GUP.
Neil Peart’s lyrics cover subjects like the holocaust (Red Sector A), death (Afterimage) and the Cold War (Red Lenses). The Enemy Within is credited as Part I of Fear, with Part II The Weapon, found on Signals and part III, Witch Hunt, on Moving Pictures. The band played the Fear trilogy live on the Grace Under Pressure tour.
Most Rush fans will be familiar with the Grace Under Pressure Live album and video, which was released in 1986. That release only contained 12 tracks. The full 20-track show is contained in this Deluxe Box Set for the first time, in both audio and video formats.
It was Terry Brown who approached the band with the suggestion that he have a go at remixing Grace Under Pressure. The band agreed, and Brown remixed a couple of songs, which the band loved, so he went and remixed the rest of the album.
This remix is just wonderful and should be heard. It feels fresh and, like I said earlier, much brighter than the original.
Getting to see and hear the full show from Maple Leaf Gardens for the first time is also a bit special.
Overall, this deluxe edition box set is very well put together, with the above-mentioned being highlights. Is it worth the money? Only you can decide that. Yes, it is expensive, but it is a quality release.
I guess it all comes down to the question of “How much do I like the original Grace Under Pressure album?”
I really liked the original album, so I might have to do a bit of saving up to add this to my collection.
March
For the Fifty Something Tour, Lee and Lifeson will be joined by German drummer, composer and producer Anika Nilles, alongside keyboard player Loren Gold (The Who, Roger Daltrey). For UK ticket sale information, visit: https://www.aegpresents.co.uk/event/rush.
These are special “evening with” shows, with two sets each night. Expect rotating setlists built from a catalogue of 40+ songs spanning Rush greatest hits and fan favourites.
RUSH are also offering elevated options for fans, including VIP experiences and curated travel packages for those travelling in to see the show.
Out NOW Via: Independent Words by: Greg Walker As Heavy Magazine’s resident Blackbraid enthusiast I feel a pull and a responsibility to review Nocturnal Womb. I wouldn’t normally review a three track EP, but … it’s Indigenous American Black Metal from deep within the Adirondack wilderness! Nocturnal Womb compiles two byproducts from the Blackbraid II […]
Vic Da Baron lays his heart on the line with Tears of Joy, an emotionally charged hip-hop track that reflects on personal struggles, resilience, and hard-earned triumph. With raw, heartfelt verses delivered over a soulful beat, Vic channels pain, growth, and determination into a powerful narrative. His expressive delivery brings authenticity to every line, turning vulnerability into strength. Tears of Joy stands as both a confession and a celebration—a reminder that even through hardship, perseverance can lead to moments of genuine pride and emotional release.
Heart & soul…
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