Review: Luke Petty
Slash! The name alone conjures up images of shredding riffs and full-throttle rock anthems. Guns N’ Roses, Slash’s Snakepit, Velvet Revolver – this guy’s a legend in the world of hard rock. But here’s the surprising thing: Slash’s got a deep bluesy soul simmering just beneath the surface.
Maybe you wouldn’t guess it from those stadium-filling GNR days. There’s always been a bit of debate about the blues influence in Slash’s playing. But trust me, it’s there. And with his latest solo album, “Orgy of the Damned,” Slash is letting his blues flag fly. It’s a full-on return to the roots that first sparked his love for music, thanks in no small part to his grandma introducing him to the magic of B.B. King. Get ready for a side of Slash you might not have expected – and let me tell you, it’s a revelation!
Slash isn’t messing around with his new album, “Orgy of the Damned.” He’s assembled a guest list that reads like a who’s-who of blues and rock royalty. We’re talking heavy hitters like Chris Stapleton, Brian Johnson from AC/DC, Beth Hart, Iggy Pop, Paul Rodgers… the list goes on and on with legends like Gary Clark Jr., Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top, and Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes. It’s a star-studded jam session, and for a blues album, that kind of firepower can be pure magic.
Buckle up, because “Orgy of the Damned” dives straight into the good stuff. Forget filler tracks, this album is a lean, mean machine of reinterpreted blues gems (with one hot-rodded instrumental thrown in for good measure). Each song gets the Slash treatment, and some are absolute knockouts.
The album explodes with a cover of Steppenwolf’s “The Pusher,” featuring Chris Robinson on vocals. It’s like stepping into a time machine – thick with that signature 70s groove but polished with modern production that makes it shine. Robinson belts it out like a man possessed, perfectly capturing the era’s swagger.
“Crossroads” couldn’t feature a more suited artist than Gary Clark Jr. Starting off ballsy with some epic shredding and drum beat to go with it, just when you think it can’t get any better, the song takes a slow, bluesy turn, giving Slash room to unwind with a killer solo. This is easily one of the most electrifying covers of “Crossroads” I’ve ever heard.
Chris Stapleton makes magic happen again with “Oh Well“. This song is a foot-stomper with a perfect blend of acoustic and electric guitars, and Stapleton’s voice – well, it’s like a warm blanket for your soul, even when it’s rocking out.
This album pulls a fast one with “Killing Floor”. It features Brian Johnson of AC/DC, but buckle up – you’ve never heard him quite like this. Both Slash’s scorching guitar and Johnson’s vocals are killer, making this a hidden gem on the album.
No Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators this time around, but Slash proves he doesn’t need them to cook up something special. This album is a love letter to the blues, a chance for Slash to explore his roots and celebrate this often-overlooked genre. Purists might scoff, calling him an outsider, but hey, to each their own. For Slash fans, this album might not hold their attention as long as his epic back catalog, but it’s a fun detour before they dive back in or patiently wait for the next Conspirators record.
ORGY OF THE DAMNED – OUT NOW
https://slashalbum.lnk.to/OOTD
