During a recent appearance on SiriusXM’s "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk" on October 12th, Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash offered an in-depth look into the band’s recent touring triumphs and their strategic approach to new material. The iconic axeman expressed immense satisfaction with the latest leg of the band’s ongoing reunion tour, highlighting its particular success in North America and Europe over the past year. This sentiment underscores a period of significant momentum for the legendary rock outfit, which informally reignited with a surprise club show at the Troubadour in Los Angeles on April 1, 2016, before embarking on extensive global stadium tours.
A Resurgent Tour, A Flourishing Band
Slash characterized the most recent North American stadium run as the most successful to date since the band’s reformation. "The last run that we just did, the one that we’re sort of, like, on the tail end of, has been awesome," Slash told Eddie Trunk. "And as far as I’m concerned, the last U.S. run that we just finished was the best U.S. run that I feel like we’d done since it started. And the European run, the same. So this last year or so has been really fucking cool. Not to say that the years before that [weren’t], but it just keeps getting better. So it’s a blast, man."
This assessment suggests a band that is not only enduring but actively thriving on the road. The reunion, which saw the classic lineup of Axl Rose, Slash, and bassist Duff McKagan share the stage once more, has now been a reality for over eight years. Their initial comeback in 2016 was met with overwhelming fan anticipation and critical curiosity, and the subsequent tours have consistently drawn massive crowds, solidifying Guns N’ Roses’ position as a premier live act in contemporary rock. The continuous improvement Slash describes implies a refined synergy within the band and a polished stage show that resonates with audiences across generations.
Charting the Course for New Music
Looking ahead, Guns N’ Roses is poised to conclude its current international engagements, which include dates in India, Indonesia, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand in November and December. Following this extensive global journey, Slash indicated that 2025 will mark a significant pause from touring for the band, with a dedicated focus on creative output.
"We’ll get done with [shows in India, Indonesia, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand in November and December], and next year basically Guns is off," Slash revealed. "But I’m hoping that, because we have so much material that we need to sort of, like, put together and start getting into that whole phase, so I’m hoping that’s what the next phase is gonna be."
This strategic hiatus from touring is a clear indication of the band’s commitment to developing new material. Eddie Trunk, in his role as host, probed further, asking if the intention was for Guns N’ Roses to step away from the road and concentrate on crafting new songs. "Exactly," Slash confirmed. "We have so much material, and it’s all over the place, and it needs to… That’s one of the things that’s been hard to do, is the amount of time and focus it takes to sort of get all that material together and start working on it."
The Challenges of On-the-Road Creativity
Slash elaborated on the inherent difficulties of writing and recording new music while actively touring. He stated unequivocally, "It doesn’t work on the road." While he personally finds songwriting on tour feasible, acknowledging his individual drive, he noted the distinct creative paths of his bandmates. "Writing on the road for me is easy, and I’m the only one that seem, seems to like to sort of sit up all night and do that," he explained. "But Duff [McKagan, Guns N’ Roses bassist] does his own thing, and Axl [Rose, Guns N’ Roses singer] does his own thing. And so we’re all creating on the road just individually. But getting us together and trying to do that while you’re touring is next to impossible."
This insight sheds light on the logistical complexities of a band with multiple creative forces, each with their own processes and demands. The necessity of dedicated, uninterrupted time for collaborative songwriting and studio work is paramount, especially for a group aiming to produce a cohesive and impactful album. The distinction between individual creative pursuits on the road and the focused, collaborative effort required for new recordings is a critical factor in their planning.
A Legacy of Reworked Gems and Future Originals
The conversation also touched upon Guns N’ Roses’ recent output of new singles, including "Atlas" and "Nothin’," which were released in December. These tracks followed the 2023 singles "The General" and "Perhaps," marking a steady stream of new music since the band’s reunion. "Atlas" and "Nothin’" were produced by Axl Rose and Caram Costanzo, who also co-produced the band’s 2008 album, "Chinese Democracy."
Slash confirmed that a significant portion of this recent material originated from songs written prior to his and McKagan’s return to the band, with their involvement focused on reinterpreting and revitalizing these existing compositions. "Well, there was a conversation that we had at some point after we got back together," Slash recalled. "Axl had a bunch of unreleased material, and so we listened to it. We said, ‘We could redo the bass and the guitars for this song and this song,’ and ‘this one would be cool.’ And we ended up doing that over time. We did a couple songs to begin with. I think ‘Hard Skool’ and ‘Absurd’ were the first two that we did, and then a couple of more after that. And ‘Nothin” and ‘Atlas’ were the last two songs that we did; everything’s been done, and these are the last two that were left over. And, yeah, it’s been fun, because they’re all really cool songs. And it’s not like writing it from its inception, but I still have to write stuff to go over the changes and everything. So it’s a fun kind of a project for me — and I think for Duff too, just to come up with new ideas for something that’s been pre-recorded."
This process of reworking older material, while not entirely new for established bands, offers a unique avenue for creative engagement. It allows for the infusion of current band chemistry and individual musical perspectives into compositions that might have otherwise remained unheard. Slash’s description of "Atlas" featuring "really cool chord changes and time signatures" and "Nothin’" being approached with a "very spontaneous, very sort of simple, bare-bones approach" illustrates the diverse creative strategies employed even within this framework.
The Album vs. Single Debate in the Digital Age
Regarding the future of new music releases, Slash addressed the question of whether standalone singles would be the band’s primary method of distribution or if a full-length album remained a possibility. He clarified that the recent singles, "Atlas" and "Nothin’," represent the final pieces of this "old rehash stuff."
"I think in this instance it’s what we’re doing, because we only re-recorded those songs — like a couple of songs here, a couple of songs there," Slash explained. "These were the last two that are left to do, and we actually did them not even back to back. ‘Nothin” was one, and ‘Atlas’ was at a different time, but they hadn’t been released yet. So, we’re releasing ’em now. And then there’s really no more of that sort of old rehash stuff to release. But I think what we’re gonna do, we’re gonna take all those songs and put them on something and release that as a package. And then the next record that we’re gonna do is gonna be all new original stuff, and that’ll be an actual album."
This announcement signals a significant development for Guns N’ Roses fans who have been eagerly anticipating a full studio album. The intention to release a compilation of these reworked tracks as a package, followed by an entirely new album of original material, provides a clear roadmap for the band’s creative future.
Slash also shared his perspective on the evolving music industry, particularly the shift away from the traditional album format. "It’s a really weird time for especially rock and roll and how it works in this industry and how it works for fans," he observed. "I think most die-hard rock and roll fans would like to get an album and they love vinyl, but they would want a package of songs. But some of the younger kids who are sort of raised in this new fancy kind of digital era that we’re in don’t know about albums, really, being released as a whole. So it’s a strange time. It’s harder to navigate. But to me, it’s a no-brainer. Make a record. You can do all the digital stuff in any configuration you want. But make sure that there’s an album. Yeah."
This commentary reflects a deep-seated appreciation for the album as an artistic statement, a sentiment shared by many long-time rock enthusiasts. While acknowledging the dominance of digital distribution and single-track consumption, Slash champions the enduring value of a cohesive album experience.
A Deep Dive into "Atlas" and "Nothin’"
Delving deeper into the creative process behind the recent singles, Slash provided specific insights into his approach for "Atlas" and "Nothin’." "Atlas’ has some really cool chord changes and time signatures, so that was interesting in itself," he stated. "And then coming up with the right voicings for that. With ‘Nothin”, it was a very spontaneous, very sort of simple, bare-bones approach. Not much thought went into it at all. It was just improvising."
These descriptions highlight the distinct musical personalities of the two tracks. "Atlas" appears to be a more intricate and compositionally driven piece, showcasing the band’s technical prowess and adventurous harmonic sensibilities. Conversely, "Nothin’" emerges as a more organic and instinctual creation, emphasizing raw emotion and immediate musical expression. This duality effectively demonstrates Guns N’ Roses’ capacity to explore diverse sonic territories.
The Evolving Catalog: From "Chinese Democracy" to New Horizons
Guns N’ Roses’ recent musical output has been characterized by a series of standalone singles and EPs, a departure from the full-length album format that defined their early career. The band released the four-song EP "Hard Skool" in February 2022, which included the 2021 singles "Hard Skool" and "Absurd," alongside live renditions of "Don’t Cry" and "You’re Crazy."
The last full-length studio album released under the Guns N’ Roses banner was "Chinese Democracy" in 2008, an album that, at the time, featured only Axl Rose from the band’s classic lineup. The reunion of Slash and Duff McKagan with Rose in 2016 heralded a new era, leading to the release of several singles: "Absurd" (stylized as "ABSUЯD"), "Hard Skool," "Perhaps," and "The General." While these singles have been well-received, concrete announcements regarding a new LP have been absent until Slash’s recent statements.
The forthcoming studio album, when it materializes, will be the first to feature Slash, Rose, and McKagan since their 1993 collaboration on "Use Your Illusion I" and "Use Your Illusion II." This reunion of the core creative triumvirate on a new album represents a highly anticipated event for fans and a significant milestone in the band’s storied history.
Further context on the previously released singles reveals their origins. "Hard Skool," with the working title "Jackie Chan," was reportedly recorded during the "Chinese Democracy" era but was ultimately excluded from that album. Its eventual release as part of the "Hard Skool" EP followed a period of online leaks and fan anticipation. Similarly, "Absurd" premiered live in Boston in August 2021, shortly before its official single release. The song "Silkworms," also reportedly from the "Chinese Democracy" sessions, was last performed live by the band in 2001. "The General" was released as the B-side to the limited-edition seven-inch vinyl single "Perhaps," which became available for pre-order in August 2023. Like "Perhaps," "Hard Skool," and "Absurd," "The General" was penned during the "Chinese Democracy" album sessions, with earlier discussions involving ex-drummer Bryan "Brain" Mantia and former Skid Row singer Sebastian Bach.
The current lineup of Guns N’ Roses includes Axl Rose on vocals and keyboards, Duff McKagan on bass, Slash on lead guitar, Dizzy Reed on keyboards, Richard Fortus on rhythm guitar, Isaac Carpenter on drums, and Melissa Reese on keyboards. This stable configuration, honed through years of touring, provides a strong foundation for the creative endeavors ahead. The band’s ongoing success and their strategic planning for new music suggest a revitalized Guns N’ Roses poised to make a significant impact on the rock landscape for years to come.
