Slash joins forces with AC/DC's Brian Johnson on 'Killing Floor' single

Lifted from his blues covers album 'Orgy of the Damned'

Slash and Brian Johnson
Author: Scott ColothanPublished 8th Mar 2024
Last updated 8th Mar 2024

Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash has joined forces with AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson on a cover of Howlin’ Wolf’s 1964 song ‘Killing Floor.’

Also featuring a harmonica solo from Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler, ‘Killing Floor’ is the first song from Slash’s 12-track album ‘Orgy of the Damned,' which features 11 blues covers and one Slash original.

Released on Friday 17th May 2024 via Gibson Records, ‘Orgy of the Damned’ also boasts guest spots from ZZ Top’s Billy F Gibbons, Paul Rodgers, Demi Lovato, Iggy Pop, Gary Clark Jr., Beth Hart, The Black Crowes’ ‘Chris Robinson, Chris Stapleton and Tash Neal.

The songs covered highlight classics by blues heavyweights including Muddy waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Steppen Wolf, Stevie Wonder and more.

Watch Slash and Brian Johnson’s ‘Killing Floor’ video:

Slash says: “‘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.”

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.”

A description of ‘Orgy of the Damned’ reads: ‘A great cover takes something old and makes it new again. This is the philosophy behind Slash’s new album, Orgy Of The Damned, a collection of 12 dynamic songs that shakes up and revitalised blues classics with a stripped down, instinctive approach.

Slash

‘Working in a similar way to his 2010 self-titles solo LP Slash, which featured multiple guest vocalists, the acclaimed guitarist teamed up with numerous musicians and singers to create a singular expression that pays homage to the blues. By celebrating both well-known and largely undiscovered songs, Slash offers a nostalgic nod to the past while reinvigorating the songs with his inimitable guitar playing and the spirit of collaboration.’

Slash ft. Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators kick off their UK & Ireland arena tour in Dublin later this month before playing shows in Birmingham, Newcastle, Manchester, Glasgow and London.

Slash’s ‘Orgy of the Damned’ track-listing:

The Pusher feat. Chris Robinson

Crossroads feat. Gary Clark Jr.

Hoochie Coochie Man feat. Billy F Gibbons

Oh Well feat. Chris Stapleton

Key To The Highway feat. Dorothy

Awful Dream feat. Iggy Pop

Born Under A Bad Sign feat. Paul Rodgers

Papa Was A Rolling Stone feat. Demi Lovato

Killing Floor feat. Brian Johnson

Living For The City feat. Tash Neal

Stormy Monday feat. Beth Hart

Metal Chestnut

Slash - Orgy of the Damned

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'Lifeson' is a semi-literal English translation of the Yugoslavian surname Živojinović, which means 'son of life'

Ginger Baker's real name: Peter Edward Baker


John 5’s real name: John William Lowery


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Rudy Sarzo’s real name: Rodolfo Maximiliano Sarzo Lavieille Grande Ruiz Payret y Chaumont


Eric Carr's real name: Paul Charles Caravello


Vinnie Vincent’s real name: Vincent John Cusano


Tina Turner’s real name: Anna Mae Bullock


King Diamond’s real name: Kim Bendix Petersen


Joey Tempest's real name: Rolf Magnus Joakim Larsson


Michael Monroe’s real name: Matti Antero Kristian Fagerholm


Mikkey Dee’s real name: Micael Kiriakos Delaoglou


Jonathan Cain’s real name: Jonathan Leonard Friga


Nikki Sixx's real name: Frank Ferrano


Steven Adler’s real name: Michael Coletti


Axl Rose's real name: William Bruce Rose


Bon Scott's real name: Ronald Belford Scott


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Eddie Vedder's real name: Edward Louis Severson III


Peter Criss’ real name: George Peter John Criscuola


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Mick Mars' real name: Robert Deal


Tré Cool's real name: Frank Edwin Wright III


Courtney Love's real name: Courtney Michelle Harrison


Pat Smear's real name: Georg Albert Ruthenberg


Gene Simmons' real name: Chaim Klein Witz


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Iggy Pop's real name: James Newell Osterberg, JR.


Alice Cooper's real name: Vincent Damon Furnier


Slash's real name: Saul Hudson


Mike Dirnt's real name: Michael Ryan Pritchard


Ronnie James Dio's real name: Ronald James Padavona


Brody Dalle's real name: Bree Joanna Alice Robinson


Skin's real name: Deborah Anne Dyer


Nicky Wire's real name: Nicholas Jones


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