Slash – Apocalyptic Love: Review
While former band mate Axl Rose dribbled out one album the past nineteen years, Slash has been busy with Velvet Revolver, Slash’s Snakepit and most recently his solo project. After releasing a fairly strong debut in 2009 he is back with Apocalyptic Love and boy is it a belter!
Rather than sticking to use guest vocalists this time around (he must have used them all last time) this album solely features the vocals of Alter Bridge frontman Myles Kennedy who fronted the band when they toured Slash. This couldn’t have been a better decision because it makes the album much easier to listen to and gives it some consistency that was lacking from his debut. Instead of bending between genres to suit different vocalists Apocalyptic Love sticks to the bluesy hard rock sound that Slash is known for, call it a safe move if you like but it’s what he is best at and this album is the proof.
The title track ‘Apocalyptic Love’ kicks things off and it’s a sign of things to come; there’s no deviation from the formula and that’s no criticism. Kennedy’s vocals compliment Slash’s trademark guitar work perfectly and as he soars through the scales it’s easy to see why Slash wants to work with him. The album flies by in just under an hour and while it’s all a lot of the same, it’s done fantastically well and leaves you wanting more.
‘One Last Thrill’ sounds like it was fired to 2012 from the 80s and would have fitted well on Appetite For Destruction easily and recent single ‘You’re A Lie’ works well as a message to all the current bands that less is more and you don’t need gimmicks, just some bitchin’ licks and a strong vocalist.
Although this is much more of a collaboration with Myles Kennedy and The Consiprators than his debut, Apocalyptic Love is still very much a Slash-focused record and he fires off some of his best riffs and solos to date. From the Muse-esque riff of ‘No More Heroes’ to the hard and heavy ‘Bad Rain’ he demonstrates why he is still one of the biggest names in rock music.
But it’s ‘Anastasia’ that cements his reputation and is by far and away the best track on the album and is up there with some of his finest Guns N Roses material. After some acoustic noodling at the start it quickly builds to an absolute rocker, with a bluesy verse and a huge sing-along chorus. But it’s the classical influenced riff that pops up every now and then that drives the track and by the time you reach the fret melting solo you know that you have a new favourite song. Make sure you catch him at this year’s Download Festival because these tracks need to be experienced live.
Summary: Apocalyptic Love is a fantastic album that any fan of Slash will love, it's everything you expect from him and while it's very much a one dimensional album it works flawlessly.
4.5
Epic
About the Author
Michael Glynn Absolute music addict. When he isn't stuffing his face with pizza he can be found losing his shit at gigs. Chart music makes him angry, angry music makes him happy.
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