New song is first with iconic lineup
Guns N Roses have released “Absurd,” the group’s first new music since reuniting with original guitarist Slash and bassist Duff McKagan five years ago. The expletive-laden track is available to stream at digital outlets, and is an outtake originally called “Silkworms” from the band’s 2008 Chinese Democracy album. However, the song was first performed in 2001.
The song was produced by Axl Rose and Chinese Democracy producer Caram Costanzo. It features drums by Bryan “Brain” Mantia, who played in the group from 2000 to 2006. The credits also list “Absurd” as being performed and written by Guns N’ Roses, but do not mention Slash or McKagan explicitly.
The group debuted the new version the song earlier this week at their show at Boston’s Fenway Park, a first in many years as they rarely change their setlist. The song has been played only four times in the past 20 years.
“Some of you might have heard this under another name, but this is really kind of absurd to try this,” frontman Axl Rose tells the Boston crowd. “That was fun. So you heard it here first, a new Guns N’ Roses song.”
There’s no word if the song will appear on an upcoming album, which has been rumored since Rose reunited with Slash and McKagan for their Not In This Lifetime Tour in 2016.
The band is in the midst of their US summer tour following a slew of rescheduled dates and 14 additional new shows at stadiums and arenas. The trek wraps with two shows in Hollywood, FL at the Hard Rock Live Arena on October 2nd & 3rd. Wolfgang Van Halen’s Mammoth WVH is making their touring debut on the Live Nation-produced trek.
The band will headline the the second night of Bottleneck Napa Valley on September 4th. The 2021 festival lineup features over 80 musical acts including Stevie Nicks, Foo Fighters, Miley Cyrus, Megan Thee Stallion, G-Eazy and Run The Jewels as headlining acts.
Following the US run, GNR will return to Mexico three shows in October. The group will perform in Guadalajara on October 7th, in Merida on October 9th and Monterrey on October 12th.
In April, GNR postponed its 2021 European tour dates to 2022 with the addition of Gary Clark Jr as support. The band will now kick off the trek on June 4, 2022 with new dates in Norway, Czech Republic, Poland, Netherlands, and Italy. They’re also joining Metallica as a headliner at Hellfest in Clisson, France next June.
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