No Guitar Heroics Needed: The Soulful Essence of Slash's 'Orgy of the Damned'


June 07, 2024 - 1884 views

Howlin’ Wolf once said, "The blues is a language that needs no translation," and that very well could be because you either get it or you don’t. It’s a genre that's often misunderstood, sometimes even dismissed by those who think it’s just about simple scales and repetitive chord progressions. But these opinions often say more about the listener than the music itself.

Slash’s new album, “Orgy of the Damned,” could easily have been celebrated purely for its star-studded lineup, featuring the likes of Gary Clark Jr., Billy Gibbons, Chris Stapleton, Dorothy, Iggy Pop, Paul Rodgers, Demi Lovato, Brian Johnson, Chris Robinson, Tash Neal, Steven Tyler, and Beth Hart. But it’s more than just a collection of big names. The production is spot on—clean, straightforward, and refreshingly unembellished.

Look, as a guitarist I'll be the first to admit, we love to riff and solo, which is why it’s not uncommon to hear versions of songs like “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” with marathon solos that seem to never end. With an iconic guitarist like Slash putting out a blues album, there was always the risk that the focus would be heavily on his guitar playing. That’s not the case here. By the third track, I wasn’t even focused on Slash. I was lost in the groove, my head slowly bouncing back and forth to the music. This album isn’t about reinterpreting iconic blues songs; it’s about capturing their soul, as felt by the musicians involved.

Initially, I thought "The Pusher" featuring Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes would be my favorite track, given my long-time love for Steppenwolf’s version of the Hoyt Axton song. But then I heard “Awful Dream” with Iggy Pop and thought, “Well, maybe this one.” Then came Paul Rodgers with “Born Under a Bad Sign,” and at that moment, I had to throw up my hands and accept that there wouldn’t be a clear favorite. This album is just that good.

Whether the credit goes to Slash, the production crew, or the talented musicians like keyboardist Teddy 'Zig Zag’ Andreadis who may have been providing subtle guidance along the way, this album is exceptional. If you’ve never been a fan of the blues and often find yourself saying, “I just don’t get it,” let me share a story.

When my wife and I first met, I told her I was a huge Stevie Ray Vaughan fan. She admitted she wasn’t into the blues and couldn’t get into it. I asked her to sit down, close her eyes, and listen to SRV’s cover of Hendrix’s “Little Wing,” trying to picture Stevie’s facial expressions as he played. By the end of the song I asked her if she was able to do it, she responded, “Yes, and now I get it.”

So, if you’re hesitant about this album because the blues aren't your thing, don’t overthink it. Put it on, sit down, close your eyes, and try and picture the faces of the players. You might find yourself getting it too.

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