Slash: Apocalyptic Love Review

On May 22, 2012, rock legend, Slash released his second official solo album, Apocalyptic Love, His first with his new “band” Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators.

This is his follow up to his 2010 album, simply titled Slash, which featured an ensemble of singers ranging everywhere from Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas to Lemmy Kilmister  of Motorhead. Slash’s first solo effort was met with an overall positive reception, but it was criticized for not seeming focused due to the varying styles on the album and the different vocalist for each song.

Apocalyptic Love answers that criticism by being very focused and a straight forward rock album with Myles Kennedy of Alter Bridge handling vocals for the entire album. The album has a heavier and grittier feel than the first record and all around sounds more like the type of music that Slash is famous for, it is both modern and classic at the same time, much like the guitarist himself.

Of course all the blistering guitar solos are there, and Slash’s playing is as good, if not better, than ever.  But, there is great melody in the songs, as well. Some have commercially appealing, catchy melodies, such as the first single, “You’re a Lie.” Other songs, like “Anastasia,” hearken back to Use Your Illusion-era Guns N’ Roses with a more progressive attitude that builds throughout the song before climaxing into an almost instrumental, guitar-dominated jam.

The album is not the next GNR record, nor is it a Velvet Revolver record–it’s a combination of all of it. There are elements reminiscent of GNR and VR, but the album is definitively a Slash record. Fans of the previously mentioned bands will greatly enjoy the album, as well as fans of Myles Kennedy, as the singer proves himself to be worthy in the ranks of Slash’s former front-men, Axl Rose and Scott Weiland. As excellent as Kennedy is on the record, it never fails to keep Slash at its most prominent feature.

Apocalyptic Love is available on iTunes and nearly all music stores, released in the standard edition as well as a deluxe edition that includes two bonus songs, a behind the scenes DVD and a voucher to receive a free Slash shirt from his website.