Duff McKagan's Loaded - 'The Taking'

A mix of grunge, sleaze and punk and an enjoyable romp through all of them!

'The Taking' is the brand new studio album from Duff McKagan's Loaded. The album will be released through Eagle Rock Entertainment as this issue hits the streets. This is the follow up to the 2009 release 'Sick' and the album will also spawn a film with the same title, featuring a kidnapped drummer, a goat (don't ask!), a large ransom and an impending gig. The album, however, features none of this comedic tone and is in fact again harking back to McKagan's punk rock roots. Loaded, consisting of McKagan on guitar and vocals, Jeff Rouse on bass and Mike Squires on guitar, return along with drummer Isaac Carpenter who joined in 2009 – a very welcome addition I have to say as he outplays previous drummer Geoff Reading who seems to have disappeared without trace since leaving the band. 



As with 'Sick', this is an album of high energy, pumping tracks with a raw quality, recorded by Terry Date (Soundgarden, Avenged Sevenfold, Pantera amongst others). The opener 'Lords Of Abaddon' is a chant-along, fists in the air anthem, while 'Dead Skin' is possibly the most single-worthy and commercial track on the album with it's Ozzy riff and catchy lyrics. Duff told me he wishes he were more like Dave Grohl – able to write songs that would give him decent commercial success. Well I think he's selling himself short as this is definitely worthy of radio play. 'Indian Summer' is also catchy as hell and I could listen to it over and over again – love it. Overall, the album is a mix of grunge, sleaze and punk and an enjoyable romp through all of them!

Sue Ashcroft