Appetite for Destruction

by Guns N' Roses

Overview

Guns N' Roses' debut, Appetite for Destruction was a turning point for hard rock in the late '80s -- it was a dirty, dangerous, and mean record in a time when heavy metal meant nothing but a good time. On the surface, Guns N' Roses may appear to celebrate the same things as their peers -- namely, sex, liquor, drugs, and rock & roll -- but there is a nasty edge to their songs, since Axl Rose doesn't see much fun in the urban sprawl of L.A. and its parade of heavy metal thugs, cheap women, booze, and crime. The music is as nasty as the lyrics, wallowing in a bluesy, metallic hard rock borrowed from Aerosmith, AC/DC, and countless faceless hard rock bands of the early '80s. It's a primal, sleazy sound that adds grit to already grim tales. It also makes Rose's misogyny, fear, and anger hard to dismiss as merely an artistic statement; this is music that sounds lived-in. And that's exactly why Appetite for Destruction is such a powerful record -- not only does Rose have fears, but he also is vulnerable, particularly on the power ballad "Sweet Child O' Mine." He also has a talent for conveying the fears and horrors of the decaying inner city, whether it's on the charging "Welcome to the Jungle," the heroin ode "Mr. Brownstone," or "Paradise City," which simply wants out. But as good as Rose's lyrics and screeching vocals are, they wouldn't be nearly as effective without the twin-guitar interplay of Slash and Izzy Stradlin, who spit out riffs and solos better than any band since the Rolling Stones, and that's what makes Appetite for Destruction the best metal record of the late '80s. [The edited edition is censored due to profanity and is missing the inside artwork.] ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	07/01/1991
Label:	Geffen
UPC:	0720642421123

Tracks

1. Welcome to the Jungle
2. It's So Easy
3. Nightrain
4. Out Ta Get Me
5. Mr. Brownstone
6. Paradise City
7. My Michelle
8. Think About You
9. Sweet Child O' Mine
10. You're Crazy
11. Anything Goes
12. Rocket Queen

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Guns N' Roses   Primary Artist
Slash   Guitar,Guitar (Rhythm),Guitar (Acoustic)
Steven Adler   Drums
Izzy Stradlin   Guitar,Percussion,Guitar (Rhythm),Vocals (Background)
Duff McKagan   Guitar (Bass),Vocals (Background)
Axl Rose   Vocals,Percussion,Synthesizer,Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

Mike Clink   Engineer,Producer
Robert John   Photography
Julian Stoll   Assistant Engineer
Paul Tobias   Composer
Micajah Ryan   Assistant Engineer
Michael Barbiero   Mixing
Chris Weber   Composer,Composer
Michael McKagan   Composer
Michael Hodgson   Design,Art Direction
Saul Hudson   Composer
Jeffrey Isbell   Composer
Dallas Royall   Composer
Slash   Composer
Andy Udoff   Assistant Engineer
Steven Adler   Composer
Angus Young   Composer
Steven Tyler   Composer
Bob Dylan   Composer
Bill Wyman   Composer
Bon Scott   Composer
Izzy Stradlin   Composer
Elvis Presley   Composer
Duff McKagan   Composer
Dave Reitzas   Assistant Engineer
Del James   Composer
Peter Wells   Composer
Robert Williams   Paintings
Guns N' Roses   Composer
George Marino   Mastering
Malcolm Young   Composer
Tommy Durden   Composer
Steve Thompson   Mixing
Axl Rose   Composer
Keith Richards   Composer
Mae Boren Axton   Composer
Jeff Poe   Assistant Engineer
West Arkeen   Composer
Mick Jagger   Composer
Mick Cocks   Composer
Victor Deyglio   Assistant Engineer
Geordie Leach   Composer
Jack Lue   Photography
Angry Anderson   Composer