In a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times, GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Slash discussed reconnecting with Axl Rose in late 2015, the first time the two had spoken in nearly two decades.

"When Axl and I had our first conversation in 20 years, it was really great," Slash said. "It was a huge load off my mind for him and I to talk, because there's been so much bad blood perpetuated over the years by the media."

Slash's subsequent return to GUNS N' ROSES' caused him to postpone the recording of his fourth solo album (and third featuring Myles Kennedy and THE CONSPIRATORS), the just-released "Living The Dream". Still, despite the success of GN'R's "Not In This Lifetime" tour, the guitarist said he always intended to find a window to complete the album.

"I went to THE CONSPIRATORS guys and said, 'Look, I'm going to do this GUNS N' ROSES thing. I have no idea where that's going to go,'" Slash said. "Of course, the GUNS N' ROSES thing turned into this juggernaut, but I was always looking for a gap to be able to go back and finish what we started with THE CONSPIRATORS. I had no intention of putting that to rest just because GUNS N' ROSES was happening."

Similarly, Slash said he'll continue performing with THE CONSPIRATORS in the years to come. "I really, really dig playing in THE CONSPIRATORS," he said. "It's just a little, simple rock n' roll band, and I love that. There's really not a lot of bells and whistles, and there's not a lot of outside pressure. I love the idea that we're going to play clubs and do this sweaty, toe-to-toe, raw rock n' roll thing. I think I've always needed that because GUNS N' ROSES became such a big thing with so many moving parts and so many people involved. I feel extremely lucky and grateful that I can have the opportunity to get back with these guys and still do the GUNS thing."

As for GN'R's future plans, Slash was coy but optimistic. "I don't want to say anything that's going to make people start thinking something [is happening], because there's nothing set up," he said. "But it's definitely on my mind; I know it's on Axl's mind; and I know it's on Duff's mind. It's one of those things that you don't want to put a timeline or a deadline on. You just let it be, and it will happen when it happens."

Read more at the Los Angeles Times.

Slash released "Living The Dream", his fourth solo album (and third with Myles Kennedy and THE CONSPIRATORS), on September 21 via his own label, Snakepit Records, in partnership with Roadrunner Records. The album was produced by Michael "Elvis" Baskette, who also helmed Slash's 2014 release "World On Fire".