by Deb Rao
– Senior Columnist —
The wait is finally over. This Fall if you were looking for an album that explodes with huge guitar riffs and explosive vocals than World On Fire featuring Slash and Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators will ignite your world. This is the third album by Slash. The guitar god shines bright experimenting from a page from his past with shredding guitar riffs that have an Aerosmith early hard rock driving vibe to a modern day scenario. Slash is not afraid to experiment and takes his guitar shredding to another level opening with the sizzling World On Fire. The band takes no prisoners. Slash featuring his Conspirators Todd Dammit Kerns on bass, Myles Kennedy on vocals and Brent Fitz set the bar for new excellence on this song. The sultry vocals of Myles Kennedy combined with the amazing back-up vocals of Todd Kerns makes this track scream with hard-driving energy excellence.
Slash carefully orchestrated his bluesy Joe Perryish riffs on “Automatic Overdrive.” Other songs on the CD that follow in that vibe are “Dirty Girl” and “Safari Inn.” The song “Wicked Stone” is electrifying with a hard driving beat that features the delicate balance of Myles and Slash at their best.
Slash also proves he is the master acoustic guitarist on “Bent To Fly.” The lyrics on this song are so beautiful and poignant. Slash is not afraid to take on delicate subject matter on World On Fire. He is a pro animal activist and shows it on “Beneath The Savage Sun.” The song “Battleground” takes on the trials and tribulations of war. Myles Kennedy lights up this song like the 4th of July with his sizzling vocals. Myles has an amazing range and surely demonstrates his unique vocal skills on World On Fire. The sure fire way to have a hit is to find a singer that is in balance with your guitar skills. Slash has found his secret formula with this band, as Slash and Myles take turns complimenting each other on every song.
The song “Avalon” takes you into the present with a feverish guitar solo and in the now lyrics. “Dissident” returns to the war theme. World On Fire is very modern with a touch of retro. Slash and Company explodes with brilliance. If you love guitar solos, then World On Fire will fill that penchant. There is a fine line between love and war, and Slash and The Conspirators leave no stone unturned.
Genre: Hard Rock
Band:
Slash – Guitars
Todd Dammit Kerns – Bass – Backing Vocals
Myles Kennedy – Vocals
Brent Fitz – Drums
Track Listing
1. World On Fire
2. Shadow Life
3. Automatic Overdrive
4. Wicked Stone
5. 30 Years To Life
6. Bent To Fly
7. Stone Blind
8. Too far Gone
9. Beneath The Savage Sun
10. Withered Deliah
11. Battleground
12. Dirty Girl
13. Iris Of The Storm
14. Avalon
15. Dissident
16. Safari Inn
17. Unholy
Label: Dik Hayd
Website: www.facebook.com/slash
Hardrock Haven rating: 9/10
Great review; am really excited about this album!