There’s no arguing that the blues has been a not only a huge influence on but the foundation of rock and roll. From Elvis Presley, Black Sabbath, Led Zepplin, even Nirvana to name a few credit the blues and the artists who perfected it.
There’s also no arguing the talent of three of the biggest names in rock and roll coming together to honor the masters is going to be nothing short of epic.
Back when Slash dipped out of Guns n Roses, he dove deep into the roots of blues and soul, even forming Slash’s Blues Ball, performing the music of Robert Johnson, Willie Dixon and even Stevie Wonder.
Fast forward nearly 30 years and Slash has announced his return to blues and a new album due out May 17th.
While having coffee this morning and scouring the web I came across this song and my eyebrows went up and pretty sure I said “Whaaat???” out loud to myself. Slash brought in Brian Johnson of AC/DC and Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler to take on one of the most killer blues tunes out there: “Killing Floor” from Howlin’ Wolf.
Howlin’ Wolf had a very unique voice. He brought a raw, visceral sound that you didn’t just hear, but you felt it. So I was quite curious and excited to see how these three mega talents would interpret the original.
Then I hit play.
There were more words that left my mouth out loud that I can’t say here.
This made my jaw drop, the hair on my arms and the back of my neck stand up, pupils dilate and my right hand cranking the monitor volume all by itself. Yes, it’s that damn good!
If I didn’t tell you this was Brian Johnson singing, you likely wouldn’t know it.
“When Slash asked me to sing on ‘Killing Floor,’ I said yes immediately,” Johnson tells Rolling Stone in a statement. “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.”
“I just think that [this album] is coming from a different place [than usual],” Slash says. “Looking back on it, there was definitely a laidback, spontaneous approach to what I was doing. There was definitely a difference-making this record compared to some of the other stuff that I’ve done.”
Slash recorded the music last year with GNR producer Mike Clink and for the most part, matched the singer to the song.
Aside from Brian Johnson and Steven Tyler, Slash has put together a who’s who of musicians to complete his new album, Orgy of the Damned. The lineup includes Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes, Gary Clark, JR, Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top, Iggy Pop, and Chris Stapleton among them.
The album is available for preorder now and Slash will be announcing tour dates soon.
Orgy of the Damned track list:
1. “The Pusher” feat. Chris Robinson
2. “Crossroads” feat. Gary Clark Jr.
3. “Hoochie Coochie Man” feat. Billy F. Gibbons and Les Stroud
4. “Oh Well” feat. Chris Stapleton
5. “Key to the Highway” feat. Dorothy
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 and Steven Tyler
10. “Living for the City” feat. Tash Neal
11. “Stormy Monday” feat. Beth Hart
12. “Metal Chestnut”
