Slash 'Living the Dream Tour' - Album Review

Rock N' Roll at it's Finest

Since the release of his first solo album in 2010, Slash has kept himself busy. Once the record was released he quickly went about recruiting musicians for the album's subsequent tour. That band consisted of Alter Bridge vocalist Myles Kennedy, former Alice Cooper drummer Brent Fitz, bass player Todd Kerns and rhythm guitarist Bobby Schneck, later replaced by Frank Sidoris. Although it wasn't known at the time, this line-up would eventually be known as Slash Featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators. With the band becoming such a live phenomenon and such a popular collaboration, they put their work to use in the studio, pumping out album after album. First was 2012's 'Apocalyptic Love', a raw, uncut, gritty record of pure hard rock. This was followed by 2014's 'World on Fire', an epic, loud, almost cinematic experience. Each album both differed in tone but were similar in style, they definitely created their own unique sound by that point.

And finally, during a break in 'Not in this Lifetime', the record breaking Guns N' Roses reunion tour, Slash wasn't prepared to leave the Conspirators in the dust. He quickly set them to work in his brand new studio aptly named Snake-pit Studios, and with 'World on Fire' producer Mike 'Elvis' Baskette at the helm, they were ready to rock. The album that followed was 2018's 'Living the Dream', a stripped down back to roots album with a 70's tone and pure Conspirators style. With the release of the album and the success of the singles such as 'Driving Rain' and 'Mind Your Manners', they hit the road.

The tour began in late 2018, and considering each tour before had it's own live album, this wasn't going to change. The live album, rather bluntly named 'Living the Dream Tour', was recorded at the Eventim Apollo theater (formerly known has Hammer-Smith) in London. This is a venue Slash has played on numerous occasions, dating all the way back to the 'Appetite for Destruction' days. Many complained about the venue's size for the performance, especially since the Conspirators had played to a sold out Wembley Arena on their previous run. However, since Slash just came off of a two year, non-stop stadium tour with Guns N' Roses, I think its safe to say he very much wanted to get back to his roots, and the album is all the better for it.

Due to the size of the venue, it creates a unique sonic rawness, large enough to be loud and echoing, but small enough to be boxed in and contained, in short its the perfect venue for an explosive, no bull shit, hard rock performance, and that's exactly what the crowd got. For two hours the audience there, and the ones listening at home, get treated to a passionate, unadulterated true hard rock performance, there weren't many ballads lets put it that way. Each song hit hard and was sweat inducing, pumped full of energy and adrenaline, stopping only to get the crowd roaring.

With Slash  reuniting with his former Guns N' Roses band mates, the Conspirators believed it no longer necessary to infuse the old GNR songs into the set as they had done on previous tours. With three original albums and Slash's debut under their belt, they finally had their own well established catalog of popular songs, and that's what they played. They kicked off the drama with the booming new track 'Call of the Wild' echoing through the hall, a fitting title as that's what the audience proceeded to do, go wild. From there, they went straight into their classics from 'Apocalyptic Love' playing 'Halo' and 'Standing in the Sun' back to back. These opening songs set the pace for the rest of the night, each one more energetic and bouncy than the last. The crowd were deafening and the Conspirators have never sounded so in sync with one another. They were truly on point from start to finish.

As the performance progressed they started mixing things up, belting out old tracks from Slash's debut such as the bluesy 'Back from Cali' and 'Ghost', only to throw in some new tracks, 'My Antidote' and 'Serve You Right'. Then also threw in some odd balls that are rarely played like 'Shadow Life', 'By the Sword' and 'We're All Gonna Die'. The third sang by Todd Kerns, who not only did a superb job rocking the bass, but also killed it harmonizing with the lead vocals and singing in and out of Myles Kennedy's main melody lines. He also sang 'Dr Alibi', a song originally sang by Lemmy Kilmister of Motorhead. Considering this was Hammer-Smith, the venue that made Motorhead a household name, Todd made sure to pay tribute to legend, screaming out "Make some noise for Lemmy".

With each song the crowd got more excited and energetic, and the mix certainly helped that. This live album is by far their loudest and most audibly satisfying, you can really hear all the passion in the performance, and this I imagine is what inspired them to play the way they did. Its by far their best sounding live album yet, and as it continued the audience were treated to pure guitar pornography. Slash really takes his time to shine on this album and doesn't hold back his chops. Tracks like 'Wicked Stone', an all ready epic live song, elongated with guitar solos that ooze with passion, anger, excitement and everything else he has left to emote. He doesn't talk to the audience much, so this is how he conveys his emotions to them, and listening to it, you really get an understand why he is the archetypal guitar hero.

As the performance powers on, the song choices again are all over the place, all building towards an epic climax, throwing in new tracks and old tracks, from 'Driving Rain' to their first ever collaboration 'Starlight'. And just when you believe its nearing its end they throw in another curve ball, 'Nightrain'. The only Guns N' Roses song of the night, and arguably one of the best live songs ever written, the crowd went ballistic.

Finally everything came to head with an extended version of 'World on Fire' filled with epic solos, introductions, and Myles Kennedy's back and forth chanting with the audience, all before bursting into the encore with 'Avalon' and their most popular, groundbreaking song to date, 'Anastasia'. They really nailed the theatrically on this tour, that's for sure. As 'Anastasia' blasts into the night the crowd almost reach the very same volume, with hard punching riffs, epic solos and the booming anthems, the Conspirators close their set amidst a volley of screaming, cheering, screeching feedback and distortion. They have truly outdone themselves and the crowd knew it. As I said before, this is by far their best live album to date, and they have truly made their mark in Rock N' Roll for good.

Track Listing:
Call of the Wild
Halo
Standing in the Sun
Ghost
Back From Cali
My Antidote
Serve You Right
Boulevard of Broken Hearts
Shadow Life
We're All Gonna Die
Dr Alibi
Lost Inside the Girl
Wicked Stone
Mind Your Manners
Driving Rain
By the Sword
Nightrain
Starlight
You're a Lie
World on Fire
Avalon
Anastasia