Earlier this week, hard rock legends Guns N’ Roses debuted a new song live, titled “Absurd.” Now, the band have dropped the official studio version of the track, which is the first new G’N’R material since 2008’s Chinese Democracy, not to mention the first new Guns track featuring Axl Rose, Slash, and Duff McKagan playing together since 1993.
“Absurd” definitely has a more modern take on G’N’R’s sound than a classic one — it’s very in-your-face, abrasive, punk-rock, and industrial-oriented. A lyric like, “Pussy full of maggots, isn’t that absurd” feels intense even for the guys who wrote “It’s So Easy.” In truth, it’s a song that could be performed by an act like Ministry or Filter and still make sense; that it’s a Guns original speaks to how the band are obviously trying to embrace the modern sonic landscape of Los Angeles. Accompanying the track is a visualizer featuring a Medusa-like gorgon whose color-changing skin and neon spit go well with its tone.
Listen to “Absurd” below:
Guns N’ Roses are currently on their U.S. stadium tour, so catch the band at one of the remaining dates listed below:
08/08 – Detroit, MI @ Comerica Park
08/11 – Fargo, ND @ FargoDome
08/13 – Missoula, MT @ Washington-Grizzly Stadium
08/16 – Commerce City, CO @ DICK’S Sporting Goods Park
08/19 – Los Angeles, CA @ Banc of California Stadium
08/22 – Portland, OR @ Moda Center *
08/25 – San Jose, CA @ SAP Center at San Jose *
08/27 – Las Vegas, NV @ Venue to be announced *
08/30 – Phoenix, AZ @ Phoenix Suns Arena *
09/01 – Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Center *
09/04 – Napa, CA @ BottleRock Napa Valley ^
09/08 – Indianapolis, IN @ Lucas Oil Stadium *
09/11 – Atlantic City, NJ @ Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena *
09/12 – Atlantic City, NJ @ Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena *
09/16 – Chicago, IL @ Wrigley Field
09/18 – Milwaukee, WI @ American Family Insurance Amphitheater | Summerfest
09/21 – St. Paul, MN @ Xcel Energy Center *
09/23 – Columbus, OH @ Schottenstein Center *
09/26 – Baltimore, MD @ Royal Farms Arena *
09/29 – Raleigh, NC @ PNC Arena *
10/02 – Hollywood, FL @ Hard Rock Live Arena *
10/03 – Hollywood, FL @ Hard Rock Live Arena *
* = newly added show (not a rescheduled date)
^ = festival Date (no Mammoth WVH)
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Words by Chris Krovatin
