Slash returns to his blues roots with the sonorous tones of his 1963 ES-335 and drops a new single featuring Demi Lovato
The new Slash album, Orgy of the Damned, is finally here from Gibson Records, along with a new single featuring Demi Lovato. On the guitar legend’s sixth solo album, Slash unleashes the blues with the help of an array of guitars and guest artists, including the 1963 ES-335 that inspired a Collector’s Edition replica from Gibson Custom.
Orgy of the Damned features 12 songs that breathe new life into the blues with a raw, stripped-down approach. By blending classic and lesser-known tracks, Slash offers a nostalgic nod to the past while infusing each song with his signature guitar style and collaborative spirit.
Slash teamed up again with renowned producer Mike Clink and brought in a ton of guest vocalists, including Gary Clark Jr., Billy F. Gibbons, Chris Stapleton, Dorothy, Iggy Pop, Paul Rodgers, Demi Lovato, Brian Johnson, Tash Neal, Chris Robinson, and Beth Hart. In both the studio and on tour, Slash is joined by his blues band, which features bassist Johnny Griparic and keyboardist Teddy “ZigZag” Andreadis, both former members of his 90s Blues Ball outfit, along with drummer Michael Jerome and singer/guitarist Tash Neal.
In celebration of Orgy of the Damned, the iconic GRAMMY® Award-winning guitarist and songwriter will perform songs next week on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Find a trio of daily treats on Monday, May 20, through to Wednesday, May 22, and watch Slash perform a selection of songs from his star-studded new blues album alongside Cleto and the Cletones. It’ll air at 11:35 PM (ET/PT) and 10:35 PM (CT) on ABC and the following day on Hulu and YouTube.
The album’s first single, “Killing Floor,” is an audacious and spirited rendition of Howlin’ Wolf’s 1964 hit, which shook the Chicago blues scene. What makes this track particularly special is the collaboration with rock royalty: Brian Johnson of AC/DC brought his iconic vocals to the venerable track.
At the same time, Steven Tyler of Aerosmith adds a harmonica performance that’s as unexpected as it is thrilling. Together, they transform “Killing Floor” into a vibrant, untamed celebration of blues and rock.
Slash acknowledges the song’s impact: “‘Killing Floor’ is one of my favorite Howlin’ Wolf songs, but also one of the iconic blues riffs that turned me on as a young guitar player. I’ve always wanted to cover it in some capacity, and this record was the perfect vehicle. But playing it with this band and with Brian Johnson singing it was an achievement I would never have imagined back then. Let alone Steven Tyler providing the harp.”
Of the track, Brian Johnson says, “When Slash asked me to sing on ‘Killing Floor,’ I said yes immediately. 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.”
The second single from Orgy of the Damned features the talented Chris Stapleton on the Peter Green-penned classic “Oh Well.”
“So, this is the original Fleetwood Mac, which was founded by Peter Green, one of the greatest singer-songwriter/guitar players,” says Slash. “He’s less known in the public, but very well known to us guitar players re [sic] the 60s British blues, and he’s up there with Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Mick Taylor. He sort of had a misadventure with drugs and disappeared early in his career, but he had some great fucking songs, and ‘Oh Well’ is one of my favorites.
“I remember hearing the song on the radio when I was probably 13; they used to play both the older version of Fleetwood Mac and the new version of the band with Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham a lot. I always loved this song, and it’s a great guitar riff. I jammed it with the Blues Ball back in the 90s, and I’ve played it live here and there.
“I knew from the beginning I wanted to do the song on this record. It was also one of the songs that I was trying to figure out who would be the right vocalist for it, and one of the ideas I had was Chris Stapleton, who is one of the most brilliant singer-songwriters today. He’s also got such a gritty and distinctive voice, so I called him up and he did an amazing job. I mean, his voice is so cool.”
In support of the album, Slash organized an incredible lineup for the first-ever S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Blues Festival, which will tour North America this summer. The festival acronym is Solidarity, Engagement, Restore, Peace, Equality N’ Tolerance. It’s designed to unite fans in celebrating the spirit of the blues, bringing together artists who share Slash’s passion for the genre.
The S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Blues Festival features an impressive roster of artists, including the Warren Haynes Band, Keb’ Mo’, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Robert Randolph, Samantha Fish, Eric Gales, ZZ Ward, Jackie Venson, and Larkin Poe. Slash will also perform at every show with his own blues band, which includes bassist Johnny Griparic, keyboardist Teddy “ZigZag” Andreadis, drummer Michael Jerome, and singer/guitarist Tash Neal.
A new date has been added for the S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Blues Festival: Tuesday, July 16, in Salt Lake City, UT, at the Red Butte Garden. For a full list of festival dates, visit SerpentFestival.com. The festival supports the non-profit organizations the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Equal Justice Initiative, Know Your Rights Camp, The Greenlining Institute, and War Child.
Find out more about the Gibson Custom Slash 1963 ES-335 Collector’s Edition guitar. To see more of Slash’s favorite guitars, check out The Collection: Slash, a premium coffee table book from Gibson Publishing. For even more information, go to Slashonline.com.
