Originally Posted by: tehplatypusjerry cantrell's band is way more talented and has better songwriting, guitar chops, and vocals...and if i'm not mistaken his work falls into the modern rock/pop rock category.

by the way, how is it alternative if it's mainstream? that's like saying avril lavigne is punk.

point taken... I was trying to get at the fact that they're a lot more talented than most modern rock bands... I saw Cantrell at the House of Blues a few months back... Awesome band. But I've also seen Alter Bridge... also an awesome band. I don't prefer one or the other but I think in modern rock there isn't a better guitarist in the mainstream scene. (Aside from Slash in Velvet Revolver but he doesn't count). If you want some video testiment to how good Mark Tremonti is check out the videos at www.bill-peck.com

Tremonti shredded my face off at Pieres in Fort Wayne, Indiana. I stood right in front of him. AMAZED. Some other people I've seen in concert (so my opinion carries some weight) Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Eric Sardinas, Jerry Cantrell, Metallica (Kirk Hammett), and Joe Bonamassa just to name a few...