Apocalyptic Love
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Apocalyptic Love is the second studio album by guitarist Slash. The album features Slash's band, consisting of vocalist Myles Kennedy, bassist Todd Kerns, and drummer Brent Fitz (collectively referred to as Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators). Produced by Eric Valentine, it was released on May 22, 2012.[1]
History and recording
During his first solo world tour, Slash announced his second studio album. Unlike his self-titled debut solo album, which featured a variety of singers including Chris Cornell, Ozzy Osbourne, M. Shadows, and Kid Rock, he said his second album would feature Alter Bridge vocalist Myles Kennedy as the sole singer. Kennedy had previously appeared on two songs from Slash's first album, and was later the vocalist of Slash's band on tour.[2] Slash later said that his second album would be more of a collaboration album with Kennedy, and said he was unsure whether it would be released under his own name or a new name entirely.[3]
Slash began working on his second solo album in June 2011,[4] and that December, three songs — "Halo," "Standing in the Sun" and "Bad Rain" — had been recorded. Slash described the new material as "very heavy."[5] The album was finished in February 2012 and was given a May 22, 2012, release date.[6] The first single, "You're a Lie," was released to rock radio on February 27, 2012; a 30-second preview of the song was released online with this announcement.[7] Slash released the track listing for the album on March 5, 2012.[8] Kennedy, who wrote the lyrics, has said that some of the lyrics on the album are about his past experiences with being addicted to drugs.[9]
On March 26, 30 second samples from "Apocalyptic Love" were made available on Amazon.com.[10] It is an "internet rumor" according to Slash[11] that the lead intro riff for "Anastasia" takes inspiration from Johann Sebastian Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D minor, which Slash interpolates live in his version of "Speak Softly Love".
Reception
Critical reception
The album received a mixed to positive reception from critics. On Metacritic, it has a score of 62 out of 100, based on 13 reviews.[12] The album is noted for its stripped down hard rock sound, making minimal use of artificial studio effects.
Aggregate scores | |
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Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 62/100[12] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
Allmusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Artistdirect | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
stereoboard.com | positive[15] |
Revolver | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
FT.com | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Melodic.net | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Metal Hammer | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Classic Rock | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Kerrang | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Commercial performance
The album debuted at number two on the Canadian Albums Chart, selling 7,500 copies. The number one album for the week was John Mayer's Born and Raised, with 17,800 copies.[18]
Track listing
All lyrics are written by Myles Kennedy; all music is composed by Slash and Myles Kennedy
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "Apocalyptic Love" | 3:28 |
2. | "One Last Thrill" | 3:09 |
3. | "Standing in the Sun" | 4:03 |
4. | "You're a Lie" | 3:50 |
5. | "No More Heroes" (Slash, Kennedy, Eric Valentine) | 4:23 |
6. | "Halo" | 3:22 |
7. | "We Will Roam" | 4:49 |
8. | "Anastasia" | 6:07 |
9. | "Not for Me" | 5:21 |
10. | "Bad Rain" | 3:46 |
11. | "Hard & Fast" | 3:02 |
12. | "Far and Away" | 5:14 |
13. | "Shots Fired" | 3:48 |
Total length: | 54:20 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
14. | "Carolina" | 3:17 |
15. | "Crazy Life" | 3:40 |
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Miscellaneous
- The whole album was recorded with analog equipment only.
- "Apocalyptic Love" is the first song that Slash and Myles Kennedy worked on together on this album.
- "Anastasia" was written from a riff Slash played on stage during World Tour 2010–2011.
- Myles Kennedy recorded some guitar blues licks for "Far and Away".[21]
- Slash, Myles and The Conspirators also worked on two more songs which stayed demos.
- Apocalyptic Love debuted at number 4 on the Billboard 200, selling 38,000 copies in its first week of release.
Charts
Weekly charts |
Year-end charts
Certifications
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References
- ^ Steve Baltin (February 15, 2012). "Slash Talks New Album, Explains Why He's a 'Band Guy'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 20, 2012.
{{cite web}}
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(help) - ^ "SLASH's Next Album To Feature MYLES KENNEDY Handling All Vocals". Blabbermouth.net. November 21, 2010. Retrieved 2010.
{{cite web}}
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(help) - ^ Joe Bosso. "Interview: Slash talks Ozzy tour, Velvet Revolver and next solo album". MusicRadar.
- ^ "New Slash Album Slated For March/April". Ultimate Guitar Archive. May 26, 2011.
- ^ "SLASH: More Details Of New Solo-Album Recording Sessions Revealed". Blabbermouth.net. November 30, 2011.
- ^ Bryan Wawzenek (February 7, 2012). "Slash's New Album Due May 22". Gibson Guitars.
- ^ "Slash Previews New Song 'You're a Lie'". Loudwire.com. February 23, 2012.
- ^ "SLASH: 'Apocalyptic Love' Track Listing Revealed". Blabbermouth.net. March 5, 2012.
- ^ "November 23, 2011". Contactmusic.
- ^ [1][dead link]
- ^ Video on YouTube
- ^ a b "Apocalyptic Love - Slash". Metacritic. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
- ^ Stephen Thomas Erlewine. "Apocalyptic Love - Slash - Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
- ^ "Slash "Apocalyptic Love" Review — 5 out of 5 stars". ARTISTdirect. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
- ^ Heather McDaid. "Slash - Apocalyptic Love (Album Review)". Stereoboard.com. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
- ^ "Review: Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators – Apocalyptic Love". Revolvermag.com. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
- ^ "Melodic Net - Slash - Apocalyptic Love". Melodic.net. 2012-05-22. Retrieved 2015-02-18.
- ^ Canoe inc. "Mayer clobbers Lambert on charts". canoe.ca. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
- ^ "Apocalyptic Love (Deluxe) [feat. Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators]". iTunes. Retrieved 2012-05-17.
- ^ "Apocalyptic Love - Slash - Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
- ^ "Apocalyptic Love on SlashParadise". www.slashparadise.com. November 10, 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o [2] [dead link] Cite error: The named reference "charts" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ "Canadian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
- ^ "MAHASZ – Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége". mahasz.hu. Retrieved 2012-05-30.
- ^ "German Music: Top German Albums Chart - Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
- ^ "スラッシュのCDアルバムランキング、スラッシュのプロフィールならオリコン芸能人事典-ORICON STYLE". Oricon.co.jp. Retrieved 2013-04-23.
- ^ "OLiS: sales for the period 21.05.2012 - 27.05.2012". OLiS.
- ^ "Статьи: Lenta.ru: Культура: Бабушкин реванш". Lenta.ru. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
- ^ [3] [dead link]
- ^ "Slash - Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved 2015-02-18.
- ^ "ARIA Top 100 Albums 2012". ARIA. Retrieved 2015-01-15.
- ^ "Wyróżnienia – Złote płyty CD - Archiwum - Przyznane w 2012 roku" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2012 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.