SLASH - Apocalyptic Love

Slash. One of the most iconic figures of the rock scene. A musician with a tumultuous history, a long-time rock star, an old-fashioned artist in a new world. To be honest, when he released his first solo album as Slash I asked myself a few questions, which I’m sure many of you have asked themselves. How would it sound? What the heck was Fergie doing in there? Would he sing or not? Would this be just something to pass the time until the whole deal with Velvet Revolver is resuscitated? Was this an attempt at a slap in the face to his former band (Guns N'Roses)? Some were justified, others were not. And others remained unanswered. It was definitely not a jab at the old band. Guns N'Roses is alive and well. Two years have passed since the record was released, he did increasingly good company with Myles Kennedy from Alter Bridge, or rather he got the winning ticket with that one. And, to be honest, what Myles Kennedy does with Slash feels to me of much higher value than what he does with Alter Bridge. 

To get back on track, let’s return to 2012. This is when Slash’s second solo record was released, titled Apocalyptic Love. The material is way above the debut album. There is continuity between songs, there is a feeling that this is indeed a band. Ok, Slash and Myles Kennedy are no Mick Jagger and Keith Richards (Rolling Stones) and no Toxic Twins (Steven Tyler & Joe Perry - Aerosmith), but they work  better and better as a team.  At least that’s what I see on this record. Really nice hard rock, spiced up with a little bit of southern rock in places. The limelight needed something like this. And Slash has the charisma, the rock star status, the image and, most importantly, has done his homework about hard rock, and Myles Kennedy is no slouch. Until he started singing with Slash he didn’t really catch my attention with Alter Bridge, but as Slash’s vocalist, things are different, and all is right. 

What else do I like about Apocalyptic Love? I love that it’s more hard rock than pop, something that was rather the other way around on the first one. I understand, the market has changed, tastes have changed, but when you have been one way all your life, if you change you might enjoy the “success” of Chris Cornell (Soundgarden) with Scream in 2009 (produced by Timbaland, Justin Timberlake and other dudes that are nowhere near the heart of Cornell fans). I’m glad that Slash realized or felt where his place was and came back with a solid album, one that does him justice. Songs like Apocalyptic Love, Standing in the Sun, We Will Roam, Bad Rain or Shots Fired stand witness, to name but a few of the strong parts of this material. 

I would like to end by saying that if you like honest hard rock, if you also enjoy southern rock, and last but not least if you are nostalgic for the arena rock of the 80s, Apocalyptic Love is a pleasant surprise.

H. Nota: 8.5