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FAN VOTE: Alter Bridge/Creed vs. Avenged Sevenfold
May 4, 2020
Here at The Independent, we’ve organized a tournament to determine which band ruled the 2000s. otherwise recognized as the MySpace Era. Boosted by a generation that gravitated toward rock and its various subgenres, the mid-2000s were defined by both the emergence of punk, pop punk and emo and the refinement of traditional hard rock and heavy metal. While rock and its subgenres no longer monopolize the airwaves, the bands that propelled the genre to the tops of charts possess a resiliency that keeps them near and dear to the hearts of listeners. This first round matchup is between Alter Bridge/Creed and Avenged Sevenfold.
[Read the Independent’s interview with Egypt Central]
Alter Bridge/Creed
Casual rock fans may be unfamiliar with the history of Alter Bridge, the hard rock phoenix birthed from the ashes of Creed. Nevertheless, since struggling to shed the perception of imitation, Alter Bridge emerged as a titan of the hard rock community.
Guitarist Mark Tremonti, bassist Brian Marshall and drummer Scott Phillips each served as founding members of both Creed and Alter Bridge, though Marshall departed the former in 2000. Despite an abbreviated run together, Creed is recognized as one of the most prominent post-grunge acts of the late 1990s and early 2000s, releasing three consecutive multi-platinum albums.
The success of 1999’s Human Clay carried over to the new millennium, enabling the Tallahassee rockers to dominate the airwaves with hit singles “Higher” and the band’s sole No. 1 effort, “With Arms Wide Open.”
In 2001, “With Arms Wide Open” earned Creed their first and only Grammy Award for Best Rock Song, though Creed also collected nominations in 2001 and 2003 for Best Rock Performance by a Group or Duo for “With Arms Wide Open” and Weathered’s “My Sacrifice,” respectively.
Creed fared better at the American Music Awards, winning Artist of the Year in 2001 atop Human Clay earning the AMA’s Favorite Pop/Rock Album. Two years later, Creed claimed AMAs for Favorite Alternative Artist and Favorite Pop/Rock Band/Duo/Group.
Featuring “My Sacrifice” and “One Last Breath,” 2001’s Weathered peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart before going platinum six times via the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Following the dissolution of Creed, Tremonti, Marshall and Phillips recruited former The Mayfield Four vocalist Myles Kennedy to form Alter Bridge. The Orlando quartet’s debut album debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard Top 200 as former WWE Champion Adam “Edge” Copeland adopted “Metallingus” as his personal theme song, making Alter Bridge’s brand of modern stadium rock synonymous with WWE success. 
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2007’s Blackbird displayed Tremonti’s maturation as both a guitarist and songwriter, with the eponymous track claiming Ultimate-Guitar’s greatest guitar solo of all time tournament, beating out Pink Floyd’s “Comfortably Numb,” Guns N’ Roses “November Rain,” Between the Buried and Me’s “Selkies: The Endless Obsession” and Rage Against the Machine’s “Killing in the Name.”
Avenged Sevenfold
Though metalcore outfit Avenged Sevenfold broke onto the scene with 2002’s Sounding the Seventh Trumpet, it wasn’t until their sophomore effort that the band earned mainstream notoriety.
Released in 2003, Waking the Fallen climbed to No. 10 on the Billboard Top 200 chart on the strength of “Unholy Confessions” and “Eternal Rest,” the latter which was featured on both the Saw IV soundtrack and Kerrangs! “666 Songs You Must Own”
However, it was 2005’s City of Evil that propelled the Huntington Beach quintet to heavy metal lore. Marking the band’s transition from a traditional metalcore sound to more of a heavy metal tempo, the album features the critically acclaimed “Bat Country” and “Seize the Day,” the former earning certified goal recognition from the RIAA.
In 2006, guitarist Synyster Gates earned both the Total Guitar: Guitarist of the Year and Dimebag Darrell “Young Shredder” awards for his contributions to City of Evil. Collectively, the band won the MTV Music Awards’ Best New Artist and Golden God Awards’ Best International Band Award.
A7X managed to top the success of City of Evil with their self-titled effort in 2008. Peaking at No. 4 on the Billboard 200, Avenged Sevenfold earned certified gold status by the RIAA before winning the Kerrang! Award for Best Album in 2008.
Enjoy this article? Vote in our other first-round matchups!
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Red Hot Chili Peppers vs. Evanescence
INTERVIEW: Blake Allison of Egypt Central discusses reunion, three latest singles
RG • May 3, 2021 at 1:38 am
Placing Creed with Alter Bridge is criminal. They are totally different. I’m a huge A7X fan. They are really awesome. But recently I found this amazing band, Alter Bridge. My favourite guitarist of all time was Synyster Gates, but after listening to Alter Bridge, Mark Tremonti became my all time favourite guitarist. M. Shadows is one of my favourite metal vocalists but we all know that Myles Kennedy’s voice is really unique and his vocals are awesome and insane. When you consider about the drumming A7X has more complex drumming because they are a heavy metal band and AB is a hard rock band. My vote goes to AB but I love A7X too. Blinded in Chains, Save me, The stage those are one of my favourites from A7X.
Itamar • May 12, 2020 at 7:17 am
Placing creed and alter bridge as the same contender is plain stupid.
I honestly dont know if i prefer a7x or AB
Both are my fav hard rock bands…
hdbngr • May 10, 2020 at 9:08 pm
Sad to place Creed with Alter Bridge…
Thomas • May 6, 2020 at 10:20 am
I would have played along, but then I realized Disturbed wasnt in the game! Alas, now I Don’t even bother…
Esthan Pasechnick • May 6, 2020 at 5:34 am
Idk wtf anyones saying of creed or what alters got is worth my listen at this point . but ive been Avenged fan since nearly the start and i can say I respect and cant stop playing likr 98% of their albums . i lost many but mainly a best friend shortly aftet the revs passing and so far away and victim both struck a chord nobody else has and helped me so much . thank you avenged sevenfold and hank you creed for letting a younger more talented banf all around into the scene .
Jbrashguitarist • May 5, 2020 at 11:11 pm
One of these bands was credited with the best guitar solo of all time in Blackbird. The other is A7x. Alterbridge for the win. Tremonti is a once in a generation talent.
Johhny d • May 5, 2020 at 10:58 pm
I like ax7 but Kennedy is the better singer and tremonti is the better guitarist nugh said
Nelly • May 5, 2020 at 10:17 pm
A7X forever!!!! Sharing with all my A7X Fans!! LETS WIN THIS!
BenjamminUrgirl • May 5, 2020 at 7:35 pm
I really liked creed and respect alter bridge, but A7X is just so much better! They’ve tried so many different ways to grow and be what they wanted to be. Each time they have grown in popularity and respect.
Matt • May 5, 2020 at 7:19 pm
A7X foREVer!!! Deathbat on my stomach and Jimmy on my hand? No Brainer! Keep going lads you keep impressing us ROCK IT TILL THE END!!!! ??
Panagiotis • May 5, 2020 at 10:39 am
Avenged Sevenfold!!!
Isaiah • May 5, 2020 at 10:28 am
I am offended that you would consider creed and alter bridge the same band. Creed was Scott Stapp. The reason they parted ways and changed their name is because the rest of the band was done with his artistic direction and changed the name to distance themselves from being creed. Also, it’s insane putting these two against each other so early on. That’s like putting Canada vs USA in the first round of Olympic men’s hockey.
Managing Editor • May 5, 2020 at 12:00 pm
As clearly evidenced by the actual description, we don’t consider these two the same band. We acknowledge that Mark and Scott’s early-decade efforts were invested toward Creed before founding AB and then later finishing the decade with Creed, which we believes warrants recognition.
David Welsh • May 5, 2020 at 9:17 am
Got to be Alter Bride. Myles Kennedy voice is out of this world, and Tremonti’s got to be one of the best in the world. Their concert at the Royal Albert Hall was stunning. Love this band.
Mel • May 5, 2020 at 8:36 am
When does this voting end?
Managing Editor • May 5, 2020 at 12:00 pm
When the first-round ends, so most likely later this week.
Colton • May 5, 2020 at 8:24 am
Anyone commenting only on Creed and disregarding the superior band of Alter Bridge is doing themselves and music a disservice. For those that haven’t listened to them, go listen to Alter Bridge. Extremely versatile, produce songs with actual meaningful lyrics, and the amazing guitar and vocals of both Myles Kennedy and Mark Tremonti.
Not even close. AB all the way.
Managing Editor • May 5, 2020 at 12:01 pm
Both are fantastic projects. Same with Tremonti’s namesake band.
Aldo • May 5, 2020 at 8:23 am
I mean I have listen both of them AB as well as A7X
But at the end , AB is just in another level , not gonna lie a7x is really good but there is something so special about alter bridge that any other band will be able to surpass
Bryan • May 5, 2020 at 8:04 am
This is insane. Not even a question. A7X!!!! There’s none better then the lead vocals of M. Shadows.
Eve Smith • May 5, 2020 at 3:05 am
Alter Bridge without a doubt – no comparison
Leon Dante Battle • May 5, 2020 at 1:26 am
AB all the way!! Blackbird should have gotten awards that year it was released but due to poor management and promoting it didn’t. Besides Mark T. and Myles K. Are a force !!!
Tavis Haken • May 5, 2020 at 12:55 am
Avenged Sevenfold, the rest are awful bands.
Michele • May 5, 2020 at 12:26 am
The big Deathbat on my arm will tell you who I voted for. Avenged Sevenfold foREVer!
Dallas Lang • May 4, 2020 at 11:07 pm
A7x all the way I own every album they have wrote I am a huge fan of a7x been to a lot of there concerts I vote for a7x they r my favorite band all-time I like creed as well but not as much as a7x RIP jimmy the Rev hail to the king
Jimmy • May 4, 2020 at 10:10 pm
A7X….. enough said
Nick Murphy • May 4, 2020 at 9:35 pm
You can’t group Alter Bridge and Creed together. They are two different bands. Pick one or the other.
Igor • May 4, 2020 at 7:47 pm
Tremonti all the way, AX7 may be good, but for me Tremonti is just on another level, always bringing something new, melodic and heavy on every album. CREED and Alter Bridge?
António José Caldeira Pilar • May 4, 2020 at 6:15 pm
Alter bridge its more artistic in live concerts.
Krystal Hall • May 4, 2020 at 5:49 pm
Grew up listening to Creed and could relate to all their songs now I’m older and listening to A7X and relate to their songs love both bands very talented groups but in the end A7X got my vote! Rock on Matt!
Krystal Hall • May 4, 2020 at 5:29 pm
I love both both are very talented bands and musicians with voices to die for but in the end it’s an obvious choice love A7X
Krystal Hall • May 4, 2020 at 5:27 pm
I love Creed but also love A7X so this was a little difficult but in the end it was an obvious choice