By Caspian Morast

Few guitarists have had a bigger impact than Saul Hudson. Better known as Slash, this guitar virtuoso has established himself as one of the most soulful and creative guitarists to appear on the rock/metal scene.

His current band, Slash, featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators, has just released its new album titled World on Fire. The album features Todd Kerns on bass, Brent Fitz on drums, Myles Kennedy on vocals, and Slash on guitar.

Kerns was born in Canada and as played in several bands, the most popular being The Age of Electric. Fitz is also from Canada and is a recording artist as well as a drummer. He has worked with Alice Cooper, Union, the Guess Who, and several others. Kennedy is a singer-songwriter, and has played in numerous bands, the most notable being Alter Bridge, in which he was the rhythm guitarist and lead vocalist.

Finally, a man who needs no introduction: Slash. He was born in London; however, he soon moved to Los Angeles. He has been a guitarist in Guns N’ Roses, Slash’s Snakepit, and Velvet Revolver.

Kerns helped write some of the songs, while providing backing vocals. Fitz laid down the beat for the album giving it its groove. Kennedy wrote most of the lyrics, while Slash took up the challenge of the rhythm and lead guitar parts.

Slash uses predominantly Gibson Les Pauls on the record and Marshall and Orange amps. Most of the album’s 17 tracks are heavy and hard, not unlike the Guns N’ Roses Appetite for Destruction album, which has been certified 18 times as platinum. The album is not nearly as satisfying as Appetite, so don’t start listening to it with extremely high expectations.

However, it seems that time has only enhanced Slash’s guitar skills. Expect some more accelerated shredding solos from him (faster than many of his solos with Guns N’ Roses), and some badass riffs.

Although the music is fairly heavy, there are some lighter songs on the album. These songs tend to be slower paced and the lyrical content softer in subject. These tracks include “Bent to Fly” and “Battleground.” The album also contains a short instrumental piece, called “Safari Inn.”

In fact, the lyrics throughout the whole album have a lighter tone than the band’s first album, Apocalyptic Love. The lyrics are very well written and Kennedy sings with passion. If you are not impressed with a song the first time you hear it, listen to it again; they tend to grow on you with every time you hear them.

If you are not a fan of Slash, or hard rock in general, it will be harder for you to appreciate this album. However, if you are, give it a listen; it is well worth your time.

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