It’s been 14 years since the last time Slash released solo material not under the name Slash feat. Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators. In between solo records not under that name, he has cranked out a few singles since rejoining Guns N’ Roses. It was reported towards the end of 2023 that Slash had returned to the studio to record an all-blues record. On Friday, May 17, Slash released the 12-track blues cover record titled Orgy Of The Damned. This marks the eighth solo record Slash has released if you count the Slash’s Snakepit records.
This 12-track record contains collaborations with all different types of artists. You have the likes of country star Chris Stapleton, pop-turned-rock star Demi Lovato in addition to puck rock legend, Iggy Pop. The entire track is such a refreshing genre for Slash and overall the album shows just how deep of an appreciation he has for the blues.
The start of the track starts off with a guitar hum and slow riff. Accompanying Slash on this track is none other than Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes. Robinson’s Black Crowes also released a great record (click HERE for the review). “The Pusher” originally written by Hoyt Axton is a great song. The feel is very Black Crowes and fits Robinson’s singing style. It also helps that he provides excellent harmonica on the track as well. Overall, this was the perfect blues song to get the ball rolling on this album.
You can’t have a rock and roll blues record without Gary Clarke Jr. on it. Clarke Jr. appears on track No. 2, “Crossroads.” Slash twists this Robert Johnson classic to hit his hard rock roots that intertwine with his blues beginnings. Immediately following “Crossroads,” is “Hoochie Coochie Man.” ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons takes lead vocals on this track. The use of slide guitar is brilliant. It’s sleazy, dirty and downright too cool. Gibbons’ gravelly voice also adds another texture to the song which gives it a hard, southern taste.
As previously mentioned, Chris Stapleton appears on the rendition of Peter Green’s “Oh Well.” “I mean, his voice is so cool,” Slash said to loudersound.com to describe the Stapleton cover. Slash could not be any more right. The Stapleton and Slash collaboration is the perfect cross-over between mainstream country and rock and roll. After listening to this tune a few times since its release, it has greatly grown on me.
Dorothy Martin from the hard rock band Dorothy gets the call up to bat on “Key to the Highway,” which clocks in at song No. 5. Martin’s voice is perfect on this song. There is something about her vocals that once she starts singing – no matter what you are doing – you stop what you’re doing and listen. At first, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but after that, it’s now going to be a regular song played in my car.
While the subject of amazing female vocalists is in the discussion, track No. 8, “Papa Was a Rolling Stone,” features the previously mentioned Demi Lovato. Lovato is brought in to sing the tune made famous by The Temptations and truly made it her own. After touring with a band of her own, which featured Alice Cooper’s guitarist Nita Strauss, Lovato is a veteran of rock music. I love the mixing on this tune by producer Mike Clink. Clink has produced some amazing records like Appetite for Destruction, Slip of the Tounge and Rust in Peace.
Following Lovato is AC/DC lead singer, Brian Johnson who appears on Howlin’ Wolf’s “Killing Floor.” This track was the first song released off the record and was a great leading single. It does two things. It sets the foundation for Slash’s record with an amazing singer and frontman but also reassures AC/DC fans that Johnson still has what it takes to sing on records. I particularly like this song because Johnson’s voice is different, it’s not AC/DC-like. It took me a minute to put together that it was Johnson on the first listen. It also helps that Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler is on harmonica as well.
The last track, “Metal Chestnut,” is the classic instrumental tune guitarists seem to add at the end of their records. With blues being the driving force, this instrumental takes listeners on a journey before softly closing to end the record.
Overall, this record is amazing. It’s refreshing to hear a different sound from Slash and there are hidden gems of collaborations fans would never thought to have heard. The entire mood of the album is light and airy. It’s one man who simply wants to show his appreciation for blues music. The veteran rocker, Slash does not miss a beat on any of these songs and has listeners eagerly waiting to see whether there will be a second covers record in the near future.
Rating:
8/10
Tracklist:
1. The Pusher (feat. Chris Robinson)
2. Crossroads (feat. Gary Clarke Jr.)
3. Hoochie Coochie Man (feat. Billy F Gibbons)
4. Oh Well (feat. Chris Stapleton)
5. Key to the Highway (feat. Dorothy Martin)
6. Awful Dream (feat. Iggy Pop)
7. Born Under a Bad Sign (feat. Paul Rodgers)
8. Papa Was a Rolling Stone (feat. Demi Lovato)
9. Killing Floor (feat. Brian Johnson)
10. Living for the City (feat. Tash Neal)
11. Stormy Monday (feat. Beth Hart)
12. Metal Chestnut
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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 New York/New Jersey and go to school in Connecticut majoring in Journalism and I am always looking for the next concert to attend.
