Slash's musicianship overrated?

Ok this is obviously an extremely controversial opinion of mine and I probably be the only metalhead out there who thinks Slash is overrated.

Don't get me wrong I think when it comes to the chemistry of Guns N Roses he is the best suited guitarist but I don't think he lives up to the hype and I am bloody fed up with him appearing on the top cover of Guitar magazines and people generally putting him on a pedestal and voting him best guitarist and not forget one of the most overrated rock songs of all time Sweet Child of Mine getting praised too much gee even Slash admits he hates the song.

For the past 10 years he hasn't really achieved anything Velvet Revolver was a beige insipid down tuned pop rock band the songs all sound like water down versions of the songs from Beyond Good and Evil by The Cult strangely enough

Realistically he hasn't done anything great since his Snake Pit albums or arguably his time in Guns N Roses.

Despite my critisicsm of him he comes across a cool, smart down to earth guy and I gotta say that if he didn't appear in Anvil's documentary the film would not been as popular

I want to hear his newest solo album. I've heard that it's quite good and far better than Chinese Democracy.

As with many musicians, it's something fans and non-fans alike tend to forget, that a lot of players only come across as good as the songs they're on. For the bluesy hard rock of G'nR that needed the guitar hero persona, I thought he was one of the best, and I'm not a G'NR fan. But most of what he's done afterward just hasn't showcased as much. Sort of how if someone heard Geoff Tate on the newer Queensrÿche albums, they just wouldn't believe it's GEOFF TATE. Or maybe we would think Miley Cyrus' drummer really sucks........well, he's playing Miley Cyrus songs....in all likelihood, he's got insane timing, might be one of the best jazz players out there (this is just theoretical), doing it for the money. Point is, musicians need to be able to be judged on a broader scale....even though some of the turf they're on is usually their fault.

Do I think Slash is a gifted technician ala Vai or Satriani? No.

Do I think Slash is a classic Rock N Roll guitar player with vibe and feeling? Yes.

He's ok.

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I probably be the only metalhead out there who thinks Slash is overrated.

Try music enthusiast in place of metalhead

Slash has his own sound and from what ive heard of the Slash solo album its good.

Slash is good at what he does and usually with success people will tend to say someone is overrated. I don't think Slash is this guitar god some people make him out to be, but the man can mix emotion and melody with the best of them and for that he is considered a great IMO.

Slash new album rocks and to answer your question is Slash overrated? Yes, IMO he is but he is a damn good guitar player and one of the best at what he does.

fingers wrote:

if he didn't appear in Anvil's documentary the film would not been as popular

What?

Slash's 5 second appearance in this video had very little to do with it's popularity. I seriously doubt that GnR fans rushed out to see this movie because Slash made a short guest appearance saying that Anvil were one of his influences. I'm sure his appearance may have brought in a few fans, as did the appearance of Lemmy and Lars Ulrich, among others. Howefver, to say the film wouldn't have been as popular without Slash is ridiculous.

That statement is what is overrated.

Quote :

he is a damn good guitar player and one of the best at what he does.

This IMO sums it up, like Metalrob said he's not a guitar god but you cant deny the man's skill

My perspective is this... Being around the club scene that G n' R and it members previous bands broke out from, I saw alot of different things going on. Poor players, good players, flashy players, and then those who played with style. Slash has/had style oozing from his playing and his stage presence. Look at the opening lil riff/hook of "sweet child o' mine", not very flashy or diffficult to play. Then you have the other guitar player trip. Slash sounded better in G n' R cause of what Izzy was doing on the side and in the background. (IMHO)

Slash was a breath of fresh air at that time because everyone else was about either speed or flash and much worse mediocre playing with way too much emphasis on image.

No.

It's only his songwriting that is overrated.

(i.e. don't expect much out of one of his solo albums)

S wrote:

Do I think Slash is a gifted technician ala Vai or Satriani? No.

Do I think Slash is a classic Rock N Roll guitar player with vibe and feeling? Yes.

This. If I could have my pick of guitar abilities, I'd rather be a Slash than a Steve Vai.

I was just listening to the song with did with M. Shadows on his solo album. Despite the mostly classic hard rock style he employs, this guy can really shred. I wish he would do more of it.

Metal Misfit wrote:

S wrote:

Do I think Slash is a gifted technician ala Vai or Satriani? No.

Do I think Slash is a classic Rock N Roll guitar player with vibe and feeling? Yes.

This. If I could have my pick of guitar abilities, I'd rather be a Slash than a Steve Vai.

I was just listening to the song with did with M. Shadows on his solo album. Despite the mostly classic hard rock style he employs, this guy can really shred. I wish he would do more of it.

Who wouldn't want to be a Vai or Satriani? If you think of it my way, you would be just as capable as Slash and be more technical all in the same. You would get the best of both worlds...

MetalRob331 said...

Quote :

Who wouldn't want to be a Vai or Satriani? If you think of it my way, you would be just as capable as Slash and be more technical all in the same. You would get the best of both worlds...

I see alot of technical players who can't play blues worth a crap. Afterall, anybody can play three chords, but not all can express an individuals feelings and emotion in the process.

James B. wrote:

MetalRob331 said...

Quote :

Who wouldn't want to be a Vai or Satriani? If you think of it my way, you would be just as capable as Slash and be more technical all in the same. You would get the best of both worlds...

I see alot of technical players who can't play blues worth a crap. Afterall, anybody can play three chords, but not all can express an individuals feelings and emotion in the process.

Thats not the case with those two for sure. To be honest i would take a Slash solo over almost all of Vai's or Satch's.

I think he is a GOOD player, but not in the class of Steve Vai, Eric Johnson, Satriani, EVH, Petrucci, Yngwie or those fellers.


In a way its like comparing Humble Pie and Free to Dream Theater and Royal Hunt. They both have great players but they play in different styles. Frampton, Clempson, Marriott and Kossof are just as good as the other guys... they just play non shred blues rock..... but they play it well........

or maybe a better recent comparison........ Marc Ford to John Petrucci........

I LOVE both. diff styles.

In fact, I would rate Marc Ford over Slash.

Weird question. I don't see him even compared to guys like Vai or Satch, very different style and Slash doesn't seem to be going for the guitar god thing.

chewie wrote:

Royal Hunt

best music mentioned in thread. Ahh...I need to get the new one. A lot of 70's influence, they say, they say.

I'm not a fan, so yes he is overrated.

Slash is a fantastic player. Maybe not the greatest or most technical, but he's damn good at what he does. His new solo is really enjoyable, I like it far more than I expected to. Furthermore, it really shows just how versatile and well thought out Slash's guitar playing can be. Plus, those Snakepit albums are gold.

Overrated? A little bit, and I used to think he was pretty lame. It wasn't until I heard that first Velvet Revolver record when I realized "Damn, this guy can play!"

I think Slash is a kick ass guitar player with his own style and signature sound, to compare Slash to Steve Vai and Joe Satriani is almost impossible, their styles are night and day.

I am a fan of all three musicians, I am not sure if he is overrated or maybe the most recognizable guitar hero to emerge from the 80's who is one of the few to have craved out a successful career.

I think he is as advertised, a very gifted rock and roll guitarist that has a great stage presence and infuses his solos with melody and his own style. Is he over rated? A little bit. Is it his fault? No. Would any one of us turn down accolades, awards, and praise? Remember that editors and writers want to sell those magazines to as many people as possible so they put someone easily identifiable to the masses on the cover. Familiarity does breed contempt. Peace.

ultmetal wrote:

fingers wrote:

if he didn't appear in Anvil's documentary the film would not been as popular

What?

Slash's 5 second appearance in this video had very little to do with it's popularity. I seriously doubt that GnR fans rushed out to see this movie because Slash made a short guest appearance saying that Anvil were one of his influences. I'm sure his appearance may have brought in a few fans, as did the appearance of Lemmy and Lars Ulrich, among others. Howefver, to say the film wouldn't have been as popular without Slash is ridiculous.

That statement is what is overrated.

Got nothing to do with GnR fans at all since the movie has been well received by people who arn't metalheads I get the impression they liked the movie more when Slash said positive remarks about Anvil and because Slash is known as the guitar hero amongst people who are not metalheads. Anyway I could be wrong

James B. wrote:

My perspective is this... Being around the club scene that G n' R and it members previous bands broke out from, I saw alot of different things going on. Poor players, good players, flashy players, and then those who played with style. Slash has/had style oozing from his playing and his stage presence. Look at the opening lil riff/hook of "sweet child o' mine", not very flashy or diffficult to play. Then you have the other guitar player trip. Slash sounded better in G n' R cause of what Izzy was doing on the side and in the background. (IMHO)

Slash was a breath of fresh air at that time because everyone else was about either speed or flash and much worse mediocre playing with way too much emphasis on image.

I'd imagine he'd be good for his time and definitely a fresh of air back then and would not be at all overrated. I am mostly referring the past 10-15 years I think he's overrated.

Also with the solo record there are few hiccups like he had the bloke from Maroon 5 and the talentless moronic Kid Rock and with Fergie LMAO?