Guns N’ Roses // Nothing & Atlas

Enough to whet the fans’ appetite?

★★★★☆ (4/5)

Ever since Axl Rose, Slash and Duff McKagan reunited in Guns N’ Roses for the mammoth Not in This Lifetime reunion tour fans waited with bated breath to hear what form (if any) new music would take. Given the iconic status of their discography, how would these new tracks from “the most dangerous band in the world” stack up?

From the reunion, It took 6 years for the first official release, with electronic-punk experience“Absurd” debuting in 2022 shortly followed by the more traditional rocker “Hardskool” the same year.

Interestingly, these songs were not written post-reunion. Instead, they represented some of the fruits from the approximate 14-year gestation of 2008’s Chinese Democracy, with the returning bandmates spliced in. With the snakelike guitar work of Slash and the punk-tinged bass of McKagan, this helped the tracks feel organic and vibrant. Showing that the band had plenty in the tank for their rabid fans.

Now nearly 10 years on from the reunion, we again have two new tracks that show unique sonic avenues that the band are exploring.

The enigmatically titled “Nothing” serves as a relatively experimental affair for a band that has their roots in blues-rock and metal. A waltzy electronic piano evokes vapourware vibes before Rose’s vocals come in with uncharacteristically tender delivery. Lyrically the song explores the depth of love and how redemption and vindication can be found in it.

This serenity is quashed by a jolt of driven guitars that sound suitably epic, acting as the perfect foundation for Slash’s distinctive solo playing. Across the track, he delivers some of the best guitar work he’s recorded since the reunion, with the fretwork running the gamut from tastefully underrated to decidedly frantic. As the tension builds, heavier instrumentals and Rose’s banshee wail weave their way into the soundscape before it explodes in an enjoyable crescendo.

In comparison to the chilled intro of “Nothing”, the literarily titled “Atlas” immediately propels into a frenzied storm of drums and staccato vocal delivery.

You can hear the ’90s alt-rock DNA that inspired the track, which makes sense given when the song was initially written. Again Slash’s guitar elevates the song, delivering some invigorating sleazy grit. Notably, this recording retains some of the guitar work from ex-Guns N’ Roses (and Nine Inch Nails) member Robin Finck. Rounding out the track, Duff McKagan’s bass sits prominently in the mix, adding wonderful texture that helps the production feel full. After soaring through the thoroughly “GNR” solo, there is a real feeling of triumph in the final chorus as all of the elements that make up the band lock in to deliver some exceptional anthemic rock.

Both “Nothing” and “Atlas” stand as some of the strongest post-reunion tracks released by the rock n’ roll veterans, with both sounding like long-lost Use Your Illusion tracks. Hopefully, they are able to continue to release these two-track treats to the fans for years to come.

Guns N’ Roses will headline Download Festival XXIII in 2026

Tickets can be purchased: Here

Download XXIII Lineup

Review By: Sam McNaughton