Slash announces blues album “Orgy of the Damned” featuring all-star lineup

Slash has announced the release of his first ever blues album, Orgy of the Damned, available May 17th on Gibson Records. The album features new takes on 11 blues classics and a lineup of all-star guests including Gary Clark Jr., Chris Stapleton, Billy F Gibbons, Paul Rodgers, Chris Robinson, Beth Hart, Brian Johnson, Dorothy, Demi Lovato, and Iggy Pop. Slash wrote one original song for the album, “Metal Chestnut,” an instrumental.

Also joining Slash on the album are former Blues Ball bandmates Johnny Griparic on bass, Teddy Andeadis on keys, drummer Michael Jermone, and singer/guitarist Tash Neal.

Slash recorded the instrumentals for the album in the spring of 2023 with the help of producer Mike Clink. Everything was played live in the room. In the following months, the guests recorded vocals.

Slash was originally turned on to the blues by his grandmother. Orgy of the Damned is Slash’s sixth solo album.

A music video has been released for the first single “Killing Floor” featuring AC/DC’s Brian Johnson on vocals and Steven Tyler on harmonica.

“‘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,” says Slash. “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.”

Brian Johnson adds, “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.”

TRACK LISTING

1.   “The Pusher” feat. Chris Robinson (vocal and harmonica)
Written by Wayne Hoyt Axton

2.   “Crossroads” feat. Gary Clark Jr. (vocal, rhythm guitar, and solo)
Written by Robert Leroy Johnson

3.   “Hoochie Coochie Man” feat. Billy F. Gibbons (vocal, rhythm guitar, and solo)
Written by Willie Dixon

4.   “Oh Well” feat. Chris Stapleton (vocal)
Written by Peter Alan Green

5.   “Key to the Highway” feat. Dorothy (vocal)
Written by Charles Segar, William Broonzy

6.   “Awful Dream” feat. Iggy Pop (vocal)
Written by Sam (Lightnin’) Hopkins, Clarence Lewis, C. Morgan Robinson

7.   “Born Under a Bad Sign” feat. Paul Rodgers (vocal)
Written by William Bell and Booker T. Jones

8.   “Papa Was a Rolling Stone” feat. Demi Lovato (vocal)
Written by Barrett Strong and Jesse Norman Whitfield

9.   “Killing Floor” feat. Brian Johnson (vocal)
Written by Chester Burnett (Howlin’ Wolf)

*Special guest Steven Tyler on harmonica.

10. “Living for the City” feat. Tash Neal (vocal)
Written by Stevie Wonder

*Special guest background vocals: Jenna Bell and Jessie Payo.

11. “Stormy Monday” feat. Beth Hart (vocal)
Written by T-Bone Walker

12. “Metal Chestnut”
Written by Slash