3. Mark Tremonti & Myles Kennedy (Alter Bridge)
Casting aside the leaden weight of being in such a venomously divisive band as Creed, Tremonti and co. did away with lead crooner Scott Stapp and grabbed the messianic Myles Kennedy instead, forming Alter Bridge in 2004. Since then its been steady uphill-movement, culminating so far in guest-spotting Aerosmith at next years Download Festival. Powered by a workmanship attitude and a rigid reliance on never letting himself get comfortable with his techniques, the Mark Tremonti of 2013 is a completely different beast than that of yesteryear, firing off insanely proficient legato runs and ferocious bends in all directions. Thats not to mention the academically-proficient Myles who started with such humble beginnings as a jazz guitar teacher, yet has come so far in progressing himself into an arena-slaying frontman, capable of hypnotising the masses with exquisitely perfect playing that perfectly mimics his humble and vibrant personality.
Recently-released album Fortress also saw Tremonti ditch his wah pedal as it was too comfortable a piece of kit to fall back on (are you listening Kirk Hammett?), resulting in one of the best pieces of solo musicianship hes ever recorded on third track Bleed It Dry.