Rock and roll icon Slash announced his first ever blues album this week. Taking a step away from the hard rock edge of his recent releases with Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators for the first time since 2012’s Apocalyptic Love album.
Entitled Orgy of the Damned, the top hat wearing six string slingers sixth solo studio album isn’t short on star power though. Featuring performances from the likes of AC/DC vocalist Brian Johnson, Aerosmith heartthrob Steven Tyler and punk rock legend Iggy Pop. As well as a laundry list of blues music luminaries such as Gary Clark Jr, Beth Hart and fellow guitar icon, Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top fame.
Comprised mostly of cover versions of well known genre staples like Stormy Monday, Crossroad Blues and Born Under a Bad Sign. Orgy of the Damned see’s Slash pay homage to some of the heroes that made him the talent he is today. Putting his own stamp on the songs that first inspired him as a guitarist and continue to inspire him to this day.
You can check out the official music video for Killing Floor, the albums first single release here-
When asked why he chose the single ot announce his first foray into the world of blues music, Slash had this to say- “Killing Floor is one of my favorite Howlin’ Wolf songs, but also one of the iconic blues riffs that turned me on as a young guitar player. I’ve always wanted to cover it in some capacity and this record was the perfect vehicle. But playing it with this band, and with Brian Johnson singing, it was an achievement I would never have imagined back then. Let alone Steven Tyler providing the harp.”
With Brian Johnson, who laid down vocals on the albums debut single adding- “When Slash asked me to sing on Killing Floor, I said yes immediately. It was one of the first songs I learned in my very first band, and when he played me the backing track it was a no-brainer, and Steven’s harmonica is so bloody hot. I had a ball with Slash in the studio, and I think we did this great old song justice. Rock on.”
Orgy of the Damned is slated for global release on May 17th via Gibson Records, both digitally as well as on CD and vinyl and is available to pre-order now. In the meantime you can stay up to date on any forthcoming announcements from the man himself via his official website or by following him on social media.
A full tracklist, including all featured artists is available below-
1. “The Pusher” feat. Chris Robinson (vocal and harmonica)
Written by Wayne Hoyt Axton
2. “Crossroad Blues” feat. Gary Clark Jr (vocal, rhythm guitar, and solo)
Written by Robert Leroy Johnson
3. “Hoochie Coochie Man” feat. Billy F. Gibbons (vocal, rhythm guitar, and solo)
Written by Willie Dixon
4. “Oh Well” feat. Chris Stapleton (vocal)
Written by Peter Alan Green
5. “Key to the Highway” feat. Dorothy (vocal)
Written by Charles Segar, William Broonzy
6. “Awful Dream” feat. Iggy Pop (vocal)
Written by Sam Lightnin’ Hopkins, Clarence Lewis, C Morgan Robinson
7. “Born Under a Bad Sign” feat. Paul Rodgers (vocal)
Written by William Bell and Booker T. Jones
8. “Papa Was a Rolling Stone” feat. Demi Lovato (vocal)
Written by Barrett Strong, Jesse Norman Whitfield
9. “Killing Floor” feat. Brian Johnson (vocal) & Steven Tyler (harmonica)
Written by Chester Burnett
10. “Living for the City” feat. Tash Neal (vocal)
Written by Stevie Wonder
11. “Stormy Monday” feat. Beth Hart (vocal)
Written by T-Bone Walker
12. “Metal Chestnut”
Written by Slash
