In preparation for the expanded edition of their classic rock album Appetite for Destruction, Guns N’ Roses releases a previously unreleased studio recording, “Shadow of Your Love.”

“Am I not standing, never standing / In the shadow of your love.” Beloved rock band Guns N’ Roses, led by the colorful Axl Rose, is releasing an expanded edition of their bestselling album, Appetite for Destruction. Besides dodging controversy surrounding the omission of a racist, homophobic song, the band also released a previously unreleased 1986 studio recording, “Shadow of Your Love.” According to Ultimate Classic Rock, the song, written with Rose’s childhood friend, “pre-dates the band.”

From the jump, it’s clear that “Shadow of Your Love” is an 80s era Guns N’ Roses song.  This is undoubtedly the band’s glory days. Quick-paced, the guitars are chocked-full of attitude, exhibiting the utmost spunk – this is the spirit of high-flying, unapologetic rock. Speaking of spunk, high-pitched frontman Rose is ‘turned all the way up’ for this up-tempo burner.  He sounds as biting, distinct, and invested into the performance as ever. Face it, how many dudes can sing that high and sound as clear and pure as Rose? At the end of the record, ole boy even throws some nonsensical syllables at us.  Rock on!

Final Thoughts 

“Shadow of Your Love” rocks hard, plain and simple.  This is Guns N’ Roses at their best.  Hard-hitting, edgy guitars and a fully-charged Axl Rose with his piercing, upper register pipes.  What more can anyone ask for? Is this ‘heaven on earth’ or what?

Guns N’ Roses • Appetite for Destruction (Super Deluxe Edition) • Geffen • Release: 6.29.18

Photo Credit: Geffen