From The Archives: Guns N’ Roses – Appetite For Destruction

This is “From The Archives” a feature where we take a trip back to a previous decade and discuss an album! We will talk about highlight tracks that should not be missed. As well as reasons why we think the album was so influential and successful.

The Album Breakdown

This album injected a dangerous and raw energy back into an 80s rock scene that was feeling over polished at the time. Peeling back the glam metal identity of the time to blend hard rock, punk attitude and a swagger usually reserved for blues. The result is an explosive debut that is one of the best selling of all time.

The band had an explosive chemistry where blues soaked guitar solos meet fierce rhythm sections. The vocals are snarling, riffs legendary and the songwriting matches the dark reality of Los Angeles in the 80s.

They brought street level grit to the mainstream and it allowed the band to bridge the gap between metalheads and punks. This was the new blueprint.

Highlight Tracks

This is about as iconic of an album opener that exists in all of rock. Listeners are welcomed into a gritty underworld with a famous opening riff. The tension built is pure chaos and instantly shows off the bands energy and attitude.

Guns N’ Roses – Welcome To The Jungle (All Rights Are Retained By Guns N’ Roses)


This song is built around a melodic guitar riff that was originally written around a rehearsal exercise as a joke. It balances a love song with massive stadium rock power and shows off Rose’s vocal prowess.

Guns N’ Roses – Sweet Child O’ Mine (All Rights Are Retained By Guns N’ Roses)


This driving rhythm section includes soaring guitar solos and huge choruses. It captures the bands melodic ambitions without losing any of their signature edge.

Guns N’ Roses – Paradise City (All Rights Are Retained By Guns N’ Roses)

Other Notable Albums From The Band

Use Your Illusion I

Use Your Illusion II

G N’ R Lies

All rights to the songs used in this post are retained by the band/artist. This site claims no rights over them.

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4 responses to “From The Archives: Guns N’ Roses – Appetite For Destruction”

  1. kwholley63 avatar

    love the album then you said 80s and thought how old I am and how much time has passed.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar

      Sorry for the age reminder, but not sorry that I reminded you of this great album! 🙂

      Like

  2. Sambuca (✿◠‿◠) avatar

    Gotta love GnR. I love Axl. I think his 1980’s bad boy image is iconic! 😀 He and Jon from Bon Jovi, those two are hot to trot, and while Axl has aged pretty badly, Jon is a silver fox!! XD Dang. Gotta love dem old glam metal rockers!!!!!!!!!!! Even fucking Nelson had that metal thing going on, you know? Ricky’s boys??? Ya.

    Like

  3. richardbist avatar

    Great debut album that helped to counter-act the glam rock movement in Los Angeles at the time. I think I wore out a couple of cassette tapes!

    Like

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