By now, Slash feat. Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators have become a household name. But in 2012, the band released their first-ever effort. Prior to 2012, Slash released a self-titled solo record in 2010 that featured 14 different singers. Of those 14, Myles Kennedy appeared on two tracks. The Alter Bridge-turned-Slash frontman would go on to release four records with the band. The group’s newest effort is slated to be released on Feb. 10, 2027.
The record starts with the title track. It’s a perfect opening to a Slash record. Kennedy’s vocals complement Slash’s style of riffs and guitar playing, which blend perfectly together. Todd Kerns rounds out the vocals with great harmonies in the background. What stands out most about this song is the singablilty. The words hop around listeners’ heads in the chorus, which creates a nice buzz throughout the tune.
The tough and mean riffs continue throughout the record to song four. “You’re a Lie” has more of an Appetite for Destruction-era guitar snarl. Drummer Brent Fitz keeps the beat simple, which allows Slash to explore new avenues of riffs while Kennedy belts out the vocals. The song structure is similar to pumping the gas and breaks on a car. Throughout the song, there’s a mellow, uneasy feel to the main lyrics. But as soon as they hit the chorus, Kennedy and Kerns are screaming the lyrics while Slash hammers down on the fretboard. “You’re a Lie” is a great headbanging tune that makes the listeners want more.
Fans get turned around on the following song, “No More Heroes.” The circus-style riff is very similar to another Guns N’ Roses smash hit, but only a few notes are shared between the two songs. The song begins to plateau before the chorus brings more crunch and meat to the tune. There’s a noticeable chemistry between the band, where each song flows smoothly and sounds natural. Some guitar/singer duos are perfect fits and Kenendy/Slash are those rare fits.
The hard rock returns with song six, “Halo.” This song is one of the tougher songs on the entire record. It’s great to hear the band return to their traditional roots and simply rock out. Producer Eric Valentine does a great job of layering the lyrics on this song. Kennedy’s vocals are stacked upon themselves to add more depth to the song. On this song, it’s one of Slash’s most underrated riffs in his arsenal. For upcoming tours, the group should consider reviving this song; it would fit perfectly into their sets.
One of the band’s more recognizable tunes appears at slot No. 8, “Anastasia.” This six-minute song is the longest on the album. The track begins with a tranquil acoustic guitar entrance before the full band kicks in. With Kennedy on rhythm guitar and Slash on lead guitar, they create a crunchy and gritty guitar riff to chug the song into the first verse. The band wisely chose to give the song a distinct swagger and sway. The pace of the song is perfect and, if they had chosen to have more of a drive, it would have ruined the piece. “Anastasia” contains Slash’s best guitar solo on the record. In recent tours, the band has revived this song and extended the solo out to close shows.
On “Anastasia,” Slash returns to the board with similar notes to those of “Sweet Child O’ Mine.” It’s a nice little hat tip to what was and, most importantly, what would come in four short years with the reforming of Guns N’ Roses. Though it was never public whether these notes were intentionally a hat tip, it’s nice to think of it that way.
Towards the end of the record, the band breaks out their ballad. Song 12 is titled “Far and Away.” This tune has a runtime of just over five minutes. It’s refreshing to hear a new sound come on this record. Sometimes, an artist like Slash is known for their blistering riffs and shootout-style guitar playing. But seeing an artist of Slash’s caliber still exploring ballad avenues and tossing them onto a record is great – it’s the only way musicians still learn and grow. I love the guitar solo on this tune. Slash births a beautiful solo that is still uniquely Slash. It’s flashy, melodic and has a ton of rhythm and feel to it that makes it as special as it is.
On the deluxe version of this record, there are two additional tunes. What would be song 14 is titled “Carolina.” This song is a diamond in the rough. It’s the only song on the record to feature Slash on a talkbox. The addition of a powerful talkbox makes or breaks a record. It’s an instrument that Slash should utilize more because it’s such a special sound. It’s been well documented in these reviews that I’m fascinated with the talkbox, so it’s only fitting to highlight how jaw-dropping the talkbox guitar solo is. It’s bluesy, gritty and downright gnarly.
The last tune on the deluxe version is “Crazy Life.” It’s a solid tune in its own right that should have made the final cut for the regular record. The band presses forward with a song that is a traditional meat-and-potatoes rock song. Kennedy composes fine lyrics and inflects necessary notes where needed to keep audiences engaged.
Slash Feat. Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators are all comprised of different artists from different bands that were all attracted to each other. This record was a great debut for a band that would quickly gain traction and legions of fans worldwide. Throughout the record, you can see the first seeds being planted for future records like 4, Living the Dream and World On Fire. Prior to the band’s newest record, fans should walk down memory lane to reminisce about how the band got to where they are today.
Rating 8/10
Tracklist:
1. Apocalyptic Love
2. One Last Thrill
3. Standing in the Sun
4. You’re a Lie
5. No More Heroes
6. Halo
7. We Will Roam
8. Anastasia
9. Not for Me
10. Bad Rain
11. Hard & Fast
12. Far and Away
13. Shots Fired
14. Carolina (Bonus Track)
15. Crazy Life (Bonus Track)
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My love for live music started with my first concert ever, Guns N’ Roses back in 2016. Since then, I’ve been able to capture photos of some amazing artists like Alice Cooper, Judas Priest, Ace Frehley, and Post Malone. I am based in the Boston, Massachusetts area. I am always looking for the next concert to attend.