It was the first Loaded release, since Episode 1999: Live, without drummer Geoff Reading, who, after departing the band, was replaced by Isaac Carpenter in September 2009.

[16] Chamberlin stated that the film would be more "about designing a fictitious story line which will be a part of the larger project, and will be a contemporary version of, say, Hard Days Night meets (Led Zeppelin's) Song Remains the Same, with aspects of documentary, music video, and live performance, all interconnected by an underlying motivation"[16] and that the "album will serve as the soundtrack.

"[16] The film was planned to feature a number of cameos from various musicians, including John Roderick of The Long Winters,[17] Chris Ballew of The Presidents of the United States of America,[17] Soundgarden members Ben Shepherd and Kim Thayil[17] as well as Lemmy of Motörhead.

"[23] Revolver magazine's Kory Grow complimented its "big hooks and driving riffs" while noting punk influences on the album.

[30] Ultimate Guitar Archive commented that the album's music has "a bit of GN’R influence injected into it all, but [that] there’s just as much a heavy helping of punk and even 70’s glam" while they also complimented the lyrics stating they have "some fantastic moments.

"[31] David Jón Fuller of the Winnipeg Free Press stated "it's clear McKagan hasn't lost any of his musical swagger" and while "his vocals are little more than shouting [...] the sound is powerful and bottom-heavy.