Tremonti’s “Bringer of War” is a Battle of Riffs

We’re at the point now where we can skip the part where I have to assure you that Mark Tremonti is a supremely talented guitarist (and songwriter) independent of his history in one of rock’s most universally loathed bands, and that the guy has serious metal cred, right? OK, good.

So: Mark Tremonti’s solo band — the appropriately titled Tremonti — is getting ready to release its fourth full-length album, A Dying Machine, and today sees the debut of the third single from that album, “Bringer of War.” After a military-inspired drum beat to begin the track, things kick into gear with a propulsive riff and driving drum beat that remind me why I’ve enjoyed really all of Tremonti’s non-Creed output: the guy’s a fantastic songwriter and he’s never dumbed down his approach for the hard rock radio masses. There’s some serious riffage here that wouldn’t feel out of place on a Testament or Exodus album, and this track’s as heavy as anything you’ll hear on hard rock radio. The hook is big, the track is memorable and there’s even a scorching guitar solo — what else could we ask for? Gimme this over Pop Evil any day of the week.

A Dying Machine comes out on June 8th via Napalm Records; pre-order it here.