GUNS N’ ROSES – Hard Skool (2022 Universal CD, cassette, 7″ vinyl EP)
The first new physical music from Guns N’ Roses since 2008’s Chinese Democracy has finally arrived in the form of an EP! Good enough; we’ll take it. Beggars (and hangers-on) cannot be choosers. Considering how scarce new Guns music has been since the early 90s, the new Hard Skool EP almost feels like manna from the gods.
There are six tracks in total spread over multiple formats: two new studio songs, and four live. The last of the live songs, “Shadow Of Your Love”, shipped in June 2022 on a club-only clear 7″. The other five tracks are all here.
To the disappointment of some, the two new songs are slightly old: Chinese Democracy outtakes that have been reworked with Slash and Duff McKagan. The duo have writing credits on “Hard Skool” along with Axl Rose and former members Robin Finck, Josh Freese, Tommy Stinson and Paul “Huge” Tobias. Formerly known as “Jackie Chan”, this song comes closest to capturing the classic Guns vibe – think Illusions era GN’R. Slash imbues the riff with his trademark snakelike style, and Axl is in full-scream mode on the powerful chorus. The cowbell brings us back to the 80s a bit, but the experimental solo section is more modern.
The other new/old song “ABSUЯD” is much more Chi-Dem, and more divisize. Formerly known as “Silkworms”, it was largely enjoyed by those who knew it from live bootlegs but thought it should have been on the album. The keyboard intro has been axed, the riff emphasized and the lyrics slightly modified. The main hook “What can I do, with a bitch like you?” has been replaced with a refrain of “Absurd!” The words are otherwise just as angry. “Listen motherfuckers to the song that should be heard!” bellows Axl on the opening line. “Parasitic demons sucking acid through your heart!” I wonder who this was written about? Vocally, Axl’s in the faux accent he utilized on “Down on the Farm” and you’ll love it or hate it. Interestingly former keyboardist Chris Pitman, who was credited with songwriting on the original “Silkworms” version, no longer has a credit. It is now credited to Axl, Slash, Duff and Dizzy. Presumably the Pitman parts were chopped. At the time of its writing, Pitman said: “It ended up being this incredible track that sounded like Guns N’ Roses 10 or 15 years in the future. It was so far removed from our other songs that we had to put it in this other place. Concept-wise, it didn’t fit with Chinese Democracy. We hope we will have other songs that match that kind of futuristic sound. It’s a really exciting track because it morphs into this crazy sound, but it was out so much in the other direction that we have to let time catch up with it.” While that was true of “Silkworms”, the version known as “ABSUЯD” is more guitar-oriented.
The live songs commence with “Don’t Cry”. Slash and rhythm guitarist Richard Fortus sound great together on this, but Axl struggles when the singing gets high at the end. It’s a demanding song, and 1991 was a long time ago. “You’re Crazy” on the other hand is really good. Using the slower Lies arrangement, but played on electric, this version is like brand new. A real cool addition to your GN’R library.
The third live track is exclusive to the 7″ vinyl: “ABSUЯD”. Not only do we get new songs on this EP, but we already get one in a live version. Guns started playing “ABSUЯD” live in 2021 as a surprise before it was released on iTunes. Axl’s voice is pretty strange here, sounding a bit muppet-ish. (The screaming portion sounds like tape.) This live track will take some getting used to. It’s not that Axl’s voice is bad just…different than what you’re used to.
The 7″ vinyl came with a sticker while the cassette and CD versions come with no extras. The CD is packed in a slipcase, and the cassette in a cassingle cardboard sleeve. This got crushed a bit in the mail; a jewel case would have been better.
Completing this tracklist is “Shadow Of Your Love (Live)” on an additional 7″ single, available only by joining a “Nightrain” membership on the official site. The cheaper of the pricey packages gives you access to the usual online perks such as pre-sale tickets, but your only physical merchandise is the vinyl, a sticker, and a pin.
The cover artwork includes an interesting visual clue. On a school locker door, the classic Guns N’ Roses logo is stickered overtop a graffiti style logo reminiscent of Chinese Democracy. Almost a metaphor for what these new songs are.
It’s encouraging that Guns N’ Roses have finally released something new, even if the songs are just reworked tunes from 20+ years ago. Perhaps they’re clearing the decks before working on truly new material. It’s all but certain that we will see more, and hopefully a longer release next time. While some moments on the live tunes are shaky, and the new tunes were not as warmly received by some, the Hard Skool EP is wonderful to hold in hand. New physical music from GN’R! About time.
4/5 stars
All cautions made
Every chance was given
No effort spared to save what we had
All in good faith
I would not hesitate
To extend myself and lend you my hand
But you had to play it cool, had to do it your way
Had to be a fool, had to throw it all away
Too hard school and you thought you were here to stay
If that were true, it wouldn’t matter anyway
As tempers fade
And lies forgiven
No cause embraced could break what we had
In its place
A storm is lifting
I would’ve thought you could be more of a man
But you had to play it cool, had to do it your way
Had to be a fool, had to throw it all away
Too hard school and you thought you were here to stay
If that were true, it wouldn’t matter anyway
But you had to play it cool, had to do it your way
Had to be a fool, had to throw it all away
Too hard school and you thought you were here to stay
If that were true, it wouldn’t matter anyway
You had to play it cool, had to do it your way
Had to be a fool, had to throw it all away
Too hard school and you thought you were here to stay
If that were true, it wouldn’t matter anyway
You had to play it cool, had to do it your way
Had to be a fool, had to throw it all away
Too hard school and you thought you were here to stay
If that were true, it wouldn’t matter anyway
I’ve never been huge on Guns N Roses but I really do like Hard Skool.
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Are you an Illusions guy, or an Appetite guy? Or a no GNR guy?
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Well my favourite (of the few GNR songs I like) is You Could Be Mine, and I do like Civil War, so I think it’s Illusions.
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Although that song pre-dated Illusion by a solid year+.
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Still puts it after Appetite, so I’m still counting it as Illusions. Plus it, you know, was recorded for and the appeared on Illusions.
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It was recorded for Nobody’s Child
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Are we talking about “You Could Be Mine” or “Civil War” here, because I was believing that it was the former.
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You Could Be Mine was written early and released on Illusions. The lyrics appeared on a T shirts years before.
Civil War was the only song recorded with Steven Adler and was released on Nobody’s Child in 1990.
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Ah, right.
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You Could Be Mine was written during the Appetite sessions. Some of its lyrics appear on Appetite’s sleeve. That’s why it is far better than anything on either Illusion album, lol
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As for me, I’m more of a Cult guy, myself. Although I did catch GNR live in 2017 and ’18.
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I saw them in June 2016 when their six year reunion tour was just starting! Alice ‘n’ Chains opened.
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The Cult are awesome and I hope they plan a comeback soon.
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It’s a great tune, very much the old school Hard school!
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Oh yeah, Axl really goes for it on the vocals and it really pays off.
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I like the two new studio tracks. It doesn’t bother me that they are leftovers, at least now we have them to hear.
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Eventually there will be no leftovers, only new songs. Can’t blame Axl for working hard on those tunes and wanting them to get a release.
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Hard Skool seems to be a little better than Absurd. Still, I’m not really jazzed about either of them. I’m glad Axl and Slash are working together again though.
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Nobody seems jazzed about them. LOL
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Well, I’m sure there are SOME contrarians out there, lol
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I don’t think I count as a full Contrarian though.
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I think we’re all full contrarians. The non-contrarians are streaming Drake and Ed Sheeran right now.
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Who and who?
Just kidding.
On Space Force season 2, one character says about aliens: “I hope the Drake equation is accurate.” Thr character of Fuck Tony responded, “I hope the aliens like Drake as well.”
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Is that show good? I watch the pilot then forgot all about it.
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It’s merely ok but bingeable.
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Bar was set way too high with Appetite and Illusion albums. This song isn’t bad, kinda there but good on em putting out something…
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Unfortunately the bar is so high that I think Guns have set themselves up for a no-win scenario any time they put out a new song.
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I’ll admit to finding it tough to get excited about new GnR in 2022, but I’m here for the music of Hard Skool. It’s like a gluing togethr of the best elements of what they used to do. To whom do you suppose he’s talking to, in the lyrics? Slash? Himself? Someone else?
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I wondered that. Considering it was written in the Chi-Dem era, I assumed it had to be about the original band. Maybe Slash. But now Slash is owning it with wicked guitar work, which is poetic to me.
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Has Slash ever not owned it with wicked guitar work?
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