Old School

I'm pretty sure Axl will have exhausted any good will he may have left with his legions of fans if this album doesn't surface by like Early April. If another "tentative" release date is put out there and I can't imagine that being the case, no one will bite. In fact it will only piss off more people. If a concrete date is put out there than that will assuage most concerns and buy Axl more time. But that concrete date that is issued can't be fluid, it has to be certain, and without question. It is likely that we won't hear anything about this album until the start of March. This is when the anticipation and anger toward Axl will reach it's apex. Most people will be so fed up they'll only be a amused from a pure side show perspective. The other scenario which is just as likely is that Axl may not resurface at all, he may not state anything and he may vanish again completely from site. This however plausible, would be the worst thing he can do. In this scenario he not only loses his fan base for good but he pretty much writes his own epitaph as rock music's most disgracefull artist of all time. I don't think this will be the case however. To much effort and time has already been put into this thing. But I don't see this thing happening anytime soon. Maybe Next Christmas if at all.

Excellent post. This is exactly my sentiment. If we hear anything from Axl at all it will likely be into March or after because people will be boiling at that point. Obviously March 6th is gone and if it is true he's fiddle fucking around and recording again we could be seriously fucked here folks. I am just constantly perpelexed by this entire thing, it's stunning. Does he not see that he's losing his fan base, becoming a huge joke (more so than he already is) and looks like a complete psycho? Sure, people will still buy the damn thing when it comes out and show interest but he's just building the mountain higher and higher. People expect this album to be earth shattering and of the highest quality because it has taken so long to make and with each passing year the psychology of it is people just expect it to be that much more great. As so many people have already said he's basically backed himself into a corner. If he actually decides to go into a prolonged period of silence while working on the album, and it goes on for months and perhaps years the mountain will be so high that the album will simply have to be THE best rock album ever bar none and that simply isn't going to happen. He has momentum from this past tour, his name is out there, people are excited for this album and if he doesn't come through this spring or summer I think it's pretty much over. I seriously think that we'll start to see band members leave as well. I know people will argue with me on that point but in all honesty I think Tommy in particular is tired of his shit.

Pull your shit together asshole and release the album now.

I do think the US tour was a bit odd and not needed unless they did in fact need to do it for money but to me that just seems strange. If what Merck says is true what irks me is they only needed to put in a few solid days in the studio and things would have been wrapped up. I am sure it's a matter that is complicated but I'm not dumb enough to believe that a good chunk of the problem (perhaps all of it) wasn't due to Axl himself to be perfectly honest. The guy obviously has issues with being timely, aiming for goals and being organized. In the end Axl will be Axl but I believe that he's seen just how pissed off his fan base got this time and I think that he might actually move to be very aggressive in meeting the March date and getting this thing out. We have never before seen so many signs pointing to an imminent release of CD, where it was practically dangling in our face but only to be snatched away at the last minute. I think if March comes along and we hear no news and see no signs pointing to a release we're going to see this whole angry thing play out again only I think it will be much worse.

Let's not kid ourselves here, the album is basically completed with just a few minor things to complete, I just don't buy that the album is non-existent. A year ago we still wondered if the album was even close to being done but I think the vast majority would agree it's basically done. Axl now has the simple tasks of polishing the thing off, getting the marketing/publicity in order and getting a single cued up. He's said it himself that it takes 8 weeks to get a relase on the shelves. If you back up 8 weeks from March 6th you have January 6th as a date where it has to be 100% complete. Given the remainder of the tour and the holidays in there that leaves very little time to for Axl to polish off this little turd and hopefully he sees that or he's going to fuck up again and it won't be good. I really think he's seen he has to come through now, and in a timely manner, or he's fucked. But like others have said this kind of down time and Axl fucking around in the studio has the potential of being a recipe for disaster. I hope he comes through.

Before going to bed last night there was a huge thread about Axl's open letter. I wake up today and I dont see it? What happened to the thread? There were some great posts in there.

Edward Rose, is that you?

Yup... got a bunch of leaks this year. Actually saw a kick ass show, twice. They've launched a website. No doubt CD is coming soon... surely they won't tour Europe and the US again next year w/o an album. And if it doesn't come out, oh well. It sure was a fun ride while it lasted!

As for all of the negative stuff you posted... I'd like to see the figures you're talking about when it comes to half empty arenas. When the floor is full and the lower deck of arenas are full, that's a pretty good showing for ANY band today. I saw Aerosmith and NIN at the same venues as GNR played, and they attracted less. The articles you talk about... well, I've read a few negative ones... but for every negative one (usually by someone who was out to get the band anyway... Mick Wall for example) there's 10 positive reviews.

Go back to the Discussion board... about every 8th topic is a positive review. Surely you can read?

Good post. You know I'm much more negative and pessimistic than this. My beef is with the constant delay of CD and Axl's mind. All of what you said here is spot on however, they're 2006 tour has been very successful in the grand scheme of things and most of the reviews are positive from what I have seen. I don't buy into the idea that this album does not exist and do believe it's completed despite something happening of late (like getting Ron on the album perhaps) but I still have to wonder what the fuck the problem is and when the fuck it will be relased? The delays, Axl's tinkering and his fickle mind are what makes me want to punch the asshole.

Best moment: Hearing "Better" and the other leaks for the first time.

Worst moment: Getting fucked over by Axl once again with Chinese Democracy.

As many of us believe, I think Axl once again tinkered with the damn thing after the European tour and decided to get Ron on the album, feeling very confident in him and seeing him as part of the family now, and had him record some parts so that he would be part of this album. So there went the timeline, everything is delayed now. It put off a release date and thus all the marketing and such is being held back until a new date is conceived. Another hunch is that Axl decided to record a song Izzy recently wrote and wanted to get it on the album as well. Or both has happened. I think Axl decided to get Ron on the album and it's pushed everything back.

In addition to the Korn party and the 13 Tuesdays bullshit, everyone seems to forget that Axl said it to John Norris at the VMA's as well. That was just a few months ago folks. Norris said something like "Now for the big question...Chinese Democracy, when will we see it?" and Axl said "THIS YEAR."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqKKo8QEqaU

Thanks, Ron! But, when is Chinese Democracy coming out?

Great! When does Chinese Democracy come out?

dude, I was with you till you said sad state of affairs, jesus dude, two sellouts in a row, playing 2 1/2 hours shows, high energy, gotta disagree, maybe a bit frustrating, but not sad man.

For christ sake, is there anything I can say right for you? I said "in many ways", not everything but several things are sad. Many here would agree with me that in regards to Chinese Democracy it's pretty sad. If you think I'm in the minority here I guarantee you the rest of the world outside of here finds Axl and CD one sad fucking story.

Excellent post ER, nice job. You summed it up very well and I agree. I admire Madison's position on all this too. Fact of the matter is it's a sad state of affairs to be a GnR fan in many ways. True, Axl's out there, we've heard new music and they are touring, but it's a double edged sword.

You guys do realize you dont have the slightest fucking idea what you are talking about right? I mean really this is all speculation based on nothing. Just thought I would remind you guys of that.

Is your solution we just shut our mouths and not debate and speculate? Is this not a forum? Is it not true that we have nothing to do BUT try and speculate and make some sense of the situation given how there is absolutely no communication with the fans and we've been seemingly told in very vague ways that the album would be released this year and here it is December with no hint that the release is imminent? The negativity, the endless guessing and speculation and all these things that piss you off to no end, Gunzen, is brought on by and is the result of Axl. Everytime I see you get pissed off at people about this it only shows me that in reality your just pissed off at Axl as well in an indirect way.

Yeah I saw your post. But when does it REALLY come out?

That's cool! But, when does Chinese Democracy come out?

Ha! That is funny, but when is Chinese Democracy coming out?

When was that on SNL? who was it, I kinda went in and out of that show, still do. I was 4 in 1971, SNL started when I was 8, what the hell are you saying? Damn you are almost always wrong. I guess that is what heppens when you type without thinking.

Your writing style and word usage, especially the use of the word "dope," definitely tells me that you are not nearly 40 and are a punk ass little dip shit liar. But keep trying to remain positive, don't forget how much Axl loves you for being there for him.

Obviously you didn't get the SNL reference, but then again that skit was popular when you were 4. That's ok Stuart Smalley, it's good to be so positive, things will all work out for you.

I guess I am an Axlite, and the truth is they rocked in SF when I saw em on 9/21, and they will rock when I see em on the 13th and 15th, those are truths, and they dont suck. I have the greatest gnr cd ever, another would be great, but my life is not so vapid that I need to criticize people who I dont know cause they wont give me what I need. I got what I wanted myself, don need Axl for it. Just dont.

Keep on crying Old Skool, it suits you.

Axl loves you Gunzen and don't you forget that because you're good enough, smart enough and doggone it Axl just likes you.

I knew you wouldn't have a response to any of that...because there is none. The truth sucks for you Axlites.

Are you just going to follow me around? I thought we agreed that we don't agree? Fine, they play the same set, it's the kind of set the general public outside of here are going to know and want to hear. But it just makes no sense to me at all that he can't introduce the new music as 80% of the crowd does not know them and it only seems logical and productive to introduce them. Why is he not talking about the album? Isn't this the time to promote it? He is getting a chance to tell THOUSANDS of people to look for the new album but no, nothing. Doesn't it make you suspcious? It's because he either doesn't know for sure if he wants to release it or if he needs to tinker with it some more and knows it isn't close.

Show up late. Yell at stage hands. Play same set. Don't talk about Chinese Democracy. Leave on a plane. Next.

Cool, when's Chinese Democracy coming out?

LOL!!!!!!!!

Sorry, Gunzen, but my respect went out the door a long time ago. Beligerant, childish, lack of an educated response? Perhaps it may seem so but it's beyond the point of logical and orderly debate because it's become a joke and a big slap in the face. Do you expect me to be civil and thought provoking in light of the state of things as they are now? Why should I waste my time and energy when clearly Axl could give a shit anyhow. It just wastes more of my time. So, I come on here and I check for any new news and such but it's just the same old shit, same old lack of news, same delays, repetitive, same old nothing but a big ball of shit. Keep on truckin though Gunzen!

If plans had indeed changed, surely they would have removed this comment by now.

Are you fucking kidding me? Ha! Not these guys, they're asses!

He hasn't mentioned the album one single time at a show because it's never going to be released!