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SLASH
"4" (BMG; 2022)
Reviewed by Snidermann
In my opinion, Slash (with Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators) are one of the best bands out there right now. We all know Slash from his Guns N'Roses days, and he continues to be one of the premier guitarists of his generation, Miles Kennedy (late of Alter Bridge, Sadus and Kings of Chaos) is an outstanding metal singer and fits perfectly with Slash's style of guitar.
The name of the recording is "4" and it's everything I want a rock release to be: heavy and in-your-face from beginning to end. Nothing is held back, nothing is hidden. Everything is presented simply with some killer songwriting and outstanding musical presentation.
Slash et al deliver the goods with flair along with a heavy dose of attitude. Another thing: Axl who?
For more information, check out http://www.slashonline.com.
"Apocalyptic
Love" (Dik Hayd; 2012)
Reviewed by Snidermann
Everyone knows Slash, guitarist extraordinaire of Guns N'Roses fame. And this album is Slash with Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators. Where the hell have I been and who the hell is Myles Kennedy? Google it (I did).
Fifteen seconds into "Apocalyptic Love" and you know exactly what the fuck is going on. Heavy rock'n'roll with guitar and vocals melded together to make a powerhouse of heavy rock music. Singable, fast and in-your-face, it all comes together with a megaforce tidal wave of rock music.
Slash and guitars are front and center with the vocals of Myles Kennedy and their band the Conspirators. This fucking shit is serious. Each cut is a finely crafted trip into the mind of ... fuck, it's way too deep for me. Anyway, it's all way too much fun.
I have to say Slash has taken everything he has learned from metal and rock'n'roll acts throughout the years and what he learned throughout his Guns N'Roses career and put together a killer rock'n'roll release for the ages. This album kicks fucking ass from start to finish. Slash and Myles Kennedy are making killer rock'n'roll and it should be witnessed by every rock'n'roll fan out there.
And that's where I come in. Well, now I fucking know! No shit.
For more information, check out http://www.slashonline.com.
"Made in Stoke - 24/7/11" (Armoury; 2011)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
I'm a sucker for double-live albums. Always have been. So it should come as no surprise when I say I was thrilled to find Slash's two disc "Made in Stoke" in my mailbox.
Consisting of 21 tracks from various eras in Slash's career -- from Guns N'Roses to Slash's Snakepit to Velvet Revolver -- "Live in Stoke" plays through almost flawlessly, sounding more like a live performance of a single band than of three. A lot of that has to do with Slash's consistent guitar style and tone, of course, but it's also a sign of a great band playing strong material. And, say what you want about Slash, but he's created some of the greatest riffs of the past couple of decades, many of which are included here ("Sweet Child O' Mine," for example).
Vocals are performed here by Myles Kennedy of Alter Bridge who does the smart thing and gives the songs enough of their original sound not to spoil them, but puts enough of his own spin here to make them sound fresh.
The album was recorded at Victoria Hall in Stoke On Trent on July 24th, 2011 and marked Slash's return to the town in which he grew up, which gives it a little historical value as well.
The usual complaints will be made, I'm sure, regarding those songs chosen to appear on the album and those that were not, but -- as with any live CD or greatest hits collection -- it's just a matter of taste. The 21 songs here are sprinkled with classics and some rarer tracks and it makes for interesting listening.
Perhaps most importantly, "Made in Stoke" makes the listener hungry for more material from Slash and Myles Kennedy and apparently that's exactly what's next. In the meantime, this 2-disc collection (also available in a deluxe edition with a DVD) should be enough to hold fans over.
For more information, check out http://www.slashonline.com.
"Slash" (Sony Music; 2010)
Reviewed by Jeff Rogers
This is Slash's first solo disc. You would think that
Slash should have put out a solo album a long time ago but he was sort of busy:
Guns N' Roses, Slash's Snakepit, Velvet Revolver. His timeline practically reads
in that order (1987 - 2007). He's been playing for everybody but himself. It's
good to see he still has passion for the instrument that made him a guitarist's
pinnacle. One could argue that Slash's Snakepit was a solo album but he was
performing with a band; this eponymous disc has a bevy of talented singers
lending their voices to his signature sound. Ian Astbury, Ozzy, Chris Cornell,
Lemmy and a few that might surprise you, like Fergie (yeah!), Adam Levine and
Iggy Pop. I was quite impressed with Slash's prowess because he can play just
about anything. He keeps with his rock roots and when he does cue it up with
Fergie it's a funky track.
Slash also lays down some sweet blues on the track "By The Sword" featuring the
lead vocals of Andrew Stockdale from Wolfmother. In fact, its sounds like a
Zeppelin track ... very tasty. "Slash" clocks in at an hour and some change.
It's got plenty of licks and riffs that have Slash's sound all over them. He
plays funk, rock and blues on this debut solo disc. Things kick into high gear
when Lemmy starts growling on "Doctor Alibi." M. Shadows from Avenged Sevenfold
lends his vocals on "Nothing To Say." It's pure metal at its finest!
Commercially, this disc didn't do that well, but who cares how much it sells!
Fans of Slash what to hear it, bottom line.
Slash also had some great musicians playing with him. You'll probably recognize
these names: Izzy Stradlin, Duff McKagan and Steven Adler. He's got a host of
other ones too but this isn't a list of Who's Who, it's more for Slash. Mr. Saul
Hudson also has an instrumental track on "Slash" entitled "Watch This" and it's
a meaty monster at that. For Slash's first outing with his name on the marquee,
I think he did quite well.
For more information, check out
http://www.slashonline.com.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2021 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
