Legendary hard rock guitarist Slash returns with his best offering since Velvet Revolver’s Libertad album in 2007. His new album Apocalyptic Love is an absolute pleasure chest of rock.
The title track leads off the record with an aggressive wah-wah frenzy featuring the soaring vocals of Myles Kennedy. But this is only the beginning. “One Last Thrill,” the second song, is when the album fully ignites into liftoff. A raucous punk rock battle royale, the track features Slash and Kennedy feeding off of each others’ mayhem.
For brilliant usage of the left and right guitar channels, look no further than “Standing in the Sun,” a hard and groovy number with solidly executed Slash leads.
“You’re a Lie,” the record’s first released single, has a lot of great stuff going on from good guitar tone to high energy. “No More Heroes” contains a cool Sweet Child-esque lead in the pre-choruses and “Halo” is a fist pumping delicacy.
The most fun guitar riff on the album—that will be replicated by thousands of aspiring teenage guitarists all over the world—follows the classical Bach intro of “Anastasia.” “Shots Fired” and “Hard and Fast” are speedy head bangers also chockfull of rivalrous riff-age.
I was surprised to find so few ballads on Apocalyptic Love. It takes nine tracks before the journey slows down for “Not For Me,” a 90’s sounding alternative rock radio track. “Far and Away” is the most beautiful number on the album with an epic build up that allows Kennedy to fully demonstrate his wide vocal range.
The backing musicians selected by Slash are top-notch pros deserving of a lot of credit. On bass duty and backing vocals is Todd Kerns of Las Vegas’ Sin City Sinner while seasoned veteran banger Brent Fitz tackles the drum duties.
Slash’s Apocalyptic Love is a killer guitar album that shines. I really love listening to it with headphones because of Eric Valentines excellent mixing and production job. Don’t wait on this one. Grab the album on May 22 and go see Slash live. He is once again back to kicking ass with a cool band.
