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First thing's first, no slash isn't there. He's to busy rehashing 90's rock. This is axl's musical genius showing through. It has tinges of every genre, on an epic scale. There is folk, pop, rock, jazz, classical, and metal, even hints of r&b, hip hop, industrial, and funk. There's actually even expierimental bits, roughly in the style of the 20th century french.
I am intoxicated with it. I knew sort of how it would be based on the demo's that leaked, but this is something more grand than i was expecting. There is so much detail, so much complexity, so much power.
This is not appitite for destruction... this is not use your illusion...do not go into this thinking it will be a blues-rock/metal album. This is completely, thoroughly modern album. You know thati it doesn't take 14 years to record a blues-rock album, and if you thought it did, then i guess you've never recorded any blues-rock. Axl wouldn't have spent this much time on it if he wanted it to sound "raw". This is a masterpiece, and i can't wait for more.
What's great about it: Very mature, but still axl. Very polished, powerful, and challenging.
What's not so great: Could've used some more rockers, but the ballads are amazing.