SLASH Bassist TODD KERNS Says Newly Recorded Third Album Is 'A Very Twisted Journey'

Slash and his backing band, MYLES KENNEDY & THE CONSPIRATORS, have finished recording the third album to be released under the Slash solo banner. A total of 17 songs, including one instrumental, were laid down for the follow-up to 2012's "Apocalyptic Love". CONSPIRATORS bassist Todd Kernswrites on his blog: "I only wish I could tell you in depth how exciting this new collection of songs is, but I'm sworn to secrecy. I would have my tongue cut out and be forever hobbled."

He continues: "I mentioned in the past that I was as concerned as anyone that we would have a tough time crawling over the wall we built called 'Apocalyptic Love', but with that wall so far behind us now, I can confidently say we have surpassed it tenfold.

"A lot of people, bless them, have asked if I would be singing a song on this upcoming album. I have to be honest that I never even thought of that. Myles Kennedy is the lead singer for the CONSPIRATORS and that's as much thought as I've given it. Myles is the best singer in modern rock, if you ask me. He has feel, soul, chops, originality and is unimaginably consistent. Keep in mind he jumps from ALTER BRIDGE to the CONSPIRATORS and back again without a hitch. That is very impressive.

"There is a great deal of depth on this recording. A very twisted journey. Many of the songs straight-up rock like never before and then there are songs that have a real vastness to them. Slash is playing better than he ever has. It is an inspiring thing to see a man with nothing left to prove still pushing himself every time he picks up the guitar to find new terrain to conquer. And succeed!

"I think people are going to be blown away."

Kennedy recently told VH1 about the record, "It's good! It's very rock. It's very rocking. I think it's more up-tempo than the last record was, and [Slash has] got some really great riffs on this record. Killer stuff."

The new disc is expected in September.

Slash began his official "solo" career with a self-titled 2010 album, after stints with GUNS N' ROSES, SLASH'S SNAKEPIT and VELVET REVOLVER over the years.

The legendary guitarist employed a different vocalist on each track of his first album, before settling on ALTER BRIDGE member Kennedy for both touring and eventually recording.

Kennedy told The Pulse Of Radio that there's always an adjustment period when he switches from ALTER BRIDGE back to Slash or vice versa. "For me, there's a certain gearshift that has to happen, where it usually takes me a little bit of time to kind of get back into that different pair of shoes, is kind of how I look at — learn how to walk in those again," he said. "So for the first few days, it's always a little — there's a little bit of awareness there. But then you just kind of get into the groove and you go with it."

"Apocalyptic Love" earned Slash his two first-ever No. 1 U.S. rock radio hits with "You're A Lie" and "Standing In The Sun". The record's third single, "Anastasia", cracked the Top 10 at both Modern and Active Rock.

Slash and AEROSMITH will team up for a U.S. tour this summer.