Slash Picks the Heaviest Riff of All Time | Page 2 | Revolver

Slash Picks the Heaviest Riff of All Time

"There's just nothing that's ever come out that's heavier than that"
slash-getty-kevin-mazur.jpg, Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Slash performing with Guns N' Roses, New York City, 2017
photograph by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

Pick up the vinyl edition of Slash Ft. Myles Kennedy & the Conspirators' new album over in our shop.

Slash, one of the most beloved guitarists in rock history, has written his fair share of riffs. Therefore, when the Guns N' Roses axeman makes a claim that a particular riff is the heaviest of all time, that's a pretty weighty statement. During a recent conversation with Matt Pinfield, the top-hatted maestro was talking about 4, his new album with his band Slash Ft. Myles Kennedy & the Conspirators, when he was asked to name his favorite Black Sabbath album. Slash's response started out pretty unremarkable, but then took an unexpected turn as he let his fandom flag fly. 

"The first Sabbath record just had the biggest impact on me," Slash said, as transcribed by Ultimate Guitar. "Because, when you think about it, in the landscape of all the other music that was happening at the time, there's this one dark record that comes out that really created what you would consider dark heavy metal and created the path for everything that was to follow. And so yeah, that record is especially poignant."

He continued, "But, you know, I also love the 'Sabbath, Bloody Sabbath' record.' I mean, really all those records… But the first one and the 'Sabbath, Bloody Sabbath' record probably had the biggest impact on me."

That's a perfectly acceptable response that's hard to argue with, but then Slash revealed a much juicier take.

"And the title track, that breakdown towards the end of the song. There's just nothing that's ever come out that's heavier than that. Not one band that I can think of has a riff that is as heavy as 'Sabbath Bloody Sabbath.'"

Now that is a pretty bold statement. Sure, it's a monumentally heavy riff, but nothing has "ever come out that's heavier than that"? We need to hook Slash up with some Bolt Thrower records. 

Recently, we caught up with him for an episode of our "Fan First" podcast, in which he talked about his musical heroes, perfect rock albums, Axl Rose's unique qualities, and much more. Watch below.