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{{short description|2008 studio album by Guns N' Roses}} {{about|the album|the song|Chinese Democracy (song)|the status of democracy in China|Democracy in China}} {{pp-move}} {{good article}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2018}} {{Infobox album | name = Chinese Democracy | type = studio | artist = [[Guns N' Roses]] | cover = GNRchinesedemocracy.jpg | alt = GNRchinesedemocracy.jpg | released = November 23, 2008 | recorded = 1998–2007 | studio = * [[Battery Studios|Battery]] (London) * [[The Bennett House]] ([[Franklin, Tennessee|Franklin]]) * Can-Am ([[Tarzana, Los Angeles|Tarzana]]) * [[Capitol Studios|Capitol]] (Hollywood) * [[Cherokee Studios|Cherokee]] (Hollywood) * [[Electric Lady Studios|Electric Lady]] (New York City) * IGA * [[Palms Casino Resort|Studio at the Palms]] * [[Rumbo Recorders|Rumbo]] ([[Canoga Park, Los Angeles|Canoga Park]]) * Soundtrack * [[Sunset Sound Recorders|Sunset Sound]] (Hollywood) * [[Townhouse Studios|Townhouse]] (London) * [[The Village Recorder|Village Recorder]] (Los Angeles) * Woodland Ranch | genre = * [[Hard rock]] * [[industrial rock]] * [[electronic rock]] * [[nu metal]] | length = 71:18 | label = * Black Frog * [[Geffen Records|Geffen]] | producer = * [[Axl Rose]] * Caram Costanzo | prev_title = [[Greatest Hits (Guns N' Roses album)|Greatest Hits]] | prev_year = 2004 | next_title = [[Appetite for Democracy 3D]] | next_year = 2014 | misc = {{Singles | name = Chinese Democracy | type = studio | single1 = [[Chinese Democracy (song)|Chinese Democracy]] | single1date = October 22, 2008 }} {{Extra album cover | header = Alternate cover | type = studio | cover = Red hand chidem.jpg | border = | alt = | caption = }} }} '''''Chinese Democracy''''' is the sixth studio album by the American [[hard rock]] band [[Guns N' Roses]], released on November 23, 2008, by Black Frog and [[Geffen Records]]. It was the first Guns N' Roses studio album since the 1993 covers album ''[["The Spaghetti Incident?"]]'', and their first album of original studio material since ''[[Use Your Illusion I]]'' and ''[[Use Your Illusion II|II]]'' (1991). It languished in [[development hell]] for eight years, delayed by personnel and legal problems, label interference, and the perfectionism of vocalist [[Axl Rose]]. It was the first Guns N' Roses album without [[Izzy Stradlin]], [[Slash (musician)|Slash]], and [[Duff McKagan]], and the first not produced by [[Mike Clink]], instead, it was produced by Rose and Caram Costanzo. After the [[Use Your Illusion Tour]] ended in 1993, Guns N' Roses spent several years rehearsing ideas for a new album. However, several members left following creative and personal differences with Rose, and no music was released. In 1998, Rose, keyboardist [[Dizzy Reed]], and guitarist [[Paul Tobias]], alongside new members, guitarist [[Robin Finck]], drummer [[Josh Freese]], bassist [[Tommy Stinson]], and multi-instrumentalist [[Chris Pitman]] began writing and recording new songs. Originally intended for a 1999 release, ''Chinese Democracy'' was rerecorded and delayed multiple times. The lineup shifted several times, guitarists [[Buckethead]], [[Richard Fortus]], and [[Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal]] and drummers [[Brain (musician)|Brain]] and [[Frank Ferrer]] all contributed. The band recorded over 50 songs, intending to release multiple albums. With costs reportedly exceeding $13 million (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|13000000|2004|r=-6}}}} in current dollar terms), it became [[List of most expensive albums|the most expensive rock album]] ever produced. ''Chinese Democracy'' was promoted with the [[Chinese Democracy Tour]] (2001–2011), gaining notoriety for canceled shows and riots. After missing a release date of March 2007, ''Chinese Democracy'' was released in November 2008, dogged by leaks and legal disputes. The release was preceded by the [[Chinese Democracy (song)|title track]] as the lead single. The album was distributed exclusively by [[Best Buy]] stores in North America and debuted at number three on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], and was [[certified platinum]]. It received generally favorable reviews, achieved international chart success, and sold over one million copies in Europe. Critics praised Rose's vocal performance and the instrumentation, although several criticized the production and claimed the album sounded dated. Retrospective reviews have been mostly favorable, noting the extended recording process and delays often overshadowed the music.<ref>{{cite news |last=Alderslade |first=Merlin |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/in-defence-of-chinese-democracy-guns-n-roses-misunderstood-gem |title=In defence of Chinese Democracy: why the whole world got Axl's masterpiece wrong |work=[[Metal Hammer]] |location=United Kingdom |publisher=[[Future plc]] |date=November 29, 2018 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709050613/https://www.loudersound.com/features/in-defence-of-chinese-democracy-guns-n-roses-misunderstood-gem |archivedate=July 9, 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Garro |first=Adrian |url=https://rockcellarmagazine.com/guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy-15th-anniversary-restrospective-review/ |title=Guns N' Roses 'Chinese Democracy' Turns 15 Years Old in 2023 — and it's "Better" Than You Think |work=Rock Cellar Magazine |location=Los Angeles, California, USA |date=January 4, 2023 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230105011401/https://rockcellarmagazine.com/guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy-15th-anniversary-restrospective-review/ |archivedate=January 5, 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite podcast| url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mZxKbr2MIw| title=Bumblefoot on Fretless Guitar 101, THAT Guns N' Roses Album, & Spooky Guitar Picks – Guitar Villains| publisher=Music is Win| host=Tyler Larson| date=November 18, 2020| access-date=November 15, 2023|quote= At the time, people were still just going on about how it took this long to make, and it took this much money, and all that nonsense. And I always said, wait 20 years.}}</ref> ==Background== [[File:AxlRose.jpg|thumb|Vocalist [[Axl Rose]] was the main creative force behind the album.]] In September 1991, Guns N' Roses released the albums ''[[Use Your Illusion I]]'' and ''[[Use Your Illusion II]]'', which have sold a combined 35 million copies.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.triplem.com.au/story/11-facts-you-didn-t-know-about-gnrs-use-your-illusion-albums-12997 |title=Ask Billboard: Battle Of The Rock Bands, Part 2 |last=Trust |first=Gary |date=March 19, 2010 |website=[[Billboard.com]] |access-date=August 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613090842/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/958919/ask-billboard-battle-of-the-rock-bands-part-2 |archive-date=June 13, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> In November 1991, during the [[Use Your Illusion Tour]],<ref name="UYI">{{cite web|url=http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/history/history93.php|title=The History of Guns N' Roses: The Shocking Truth: 1993|first=Jarmo|last=Luukkonen|work=heretodaygonetohell.com|access-date=April 25, 2015}}</ref> rhythm guitarist and founding member [[Izzy Stradlin]] abruptly left the band, citing touring exhaustion and conflicts with his bandmates.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Izzy Stradlin interview with ''Musician Magazine''|year=1992|journal=[[Musician (magazine)|Musician]]|publisher=Billboard Publications Inc.}}</ref> He was replaced by [[Gilby Clarke]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.easyreadernews.com/gilby-clarke-rides-again/|title=Gilby Clarke rides again|first=Mark|last=McDermott|date=May 26, 2010|work=Easy Reader News|access-date=April 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730115948/https://www.easyreadernews.com/gilby-clarke-rides-again/|archive-date=July 30, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> In November 1993, Guns N' Roses released ''[["The Spaghetti Incident?"]]'', an album of covers of mostly [[glam rock]] and [[punk rock]] songs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/the-spaghetti-incident-19931209|title=Rolling Stone The Spaghetti Incident? review|last1=Gold|first1=Jonathan|date=December 9, 1993|website=Rollingstone.com|access-date=May 7, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722010723/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/the-spaghetti-incident-19931209|archive-date=July 22, 2015}}</ref> Though it was certified platinum in 1994,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/|title=Gold & Platinum|website=RIAA|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212231947/https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/|archive-date=February 12, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> it sold significantly less than their previous releases,<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Hasty |first=Katie |date=December 3, 2008 |title=Kanye Edges GNR, Ludacris For No. 1 Debut |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/kanye-edges-gnr-ludacris-for-no-1-debut-266167/ |url-status=live |magazine=[[billboard.com]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100122142056/http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/kanye-edges-gnr-ludacris-for-no-1-debut-1003918838.story |archive-date=January 22, 2010 |access-date=January 16, 2010 }}</ref> and the band did not tour in support of the album.<ref name="LOUDSPAG">{{Cite web |title=27 Years Ago: Guns N' Roses Release 'The Spaghetti Incident?' |author=Jon Wiederhorn |work=Loudwire |date=November 28, 2020 |access-date=September 6, 2021 |url= https://loudwire.com/guns-n-roses-the-spaghetti-incident-anniversary/ |quote=}}</ref> Guns N' Roses began writing and recording new music in 1994.<ref name="Sorum96">{{cite magazine |date=1996 |title= Interview with Matt Sorum|url=http://qfg.info/misc/mattsorum96.txt |url-status= dead|magazine=Hard Rock |location=France |archive-url=https://archive.today/20020728093917/http://qfg.info/misc/mattsorum96.txt |archive-date=July 28, 2002 |access-date=May 8, 2018 }}</ref> However, bassist [[Duff McKagan]] said the band "was so stoned at that point that nothing got finished".<ref name="time off">{{cite web|url=http://www.timeoff.com.au/index.php?area=Interviews&pg=38&subarea=38&sel=6127&PHPSESSID=b1255c323c0977e85e64fe287a9f7654= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706113250/http://www.timeoff.com.au/index.php?area=Interviews&pg=38&subarea=38&sel=6127&PHPSESSID=b1255c323c0977e85e64fe287a9f7654%3D |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 6, 2011 |title=Armed to the Teeth |work=Time Off |last=Condon|first=Dan |date=March 6, 2005 |access-date=November 17, 2007 }}</ref> Guitarist [[Slash (musician)|Slash]] accused singer [[Axl Rose]] of running the band "like a dictatorship".<ref name="NY Times">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/06/arts/music/the-most-expensive-album-never-made.html|title=The Most Expensive Album Never Made|last1=Leeds|first1=Jeff|date=March 6, 2005|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=March 19, 2018|archive-date=March 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180329092655/https://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/06/arts/music/the-most-expensive-album-never-made.html?mtrref=web.archive.org&mtrref=web.archive.org|url-status=live}}</ref> Rose said the material was scrapped because the band was unable to collaborate.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/articles/showarticle.php?articleid=82|title=GN'R press release with Axl interview|date=August 14, 2002|last=James|first=Del|author-link=Del James|work=GNRonline.com|access-date=May 16, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317014050/http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/articles/showarticle.php?articleid=82|archive-date=March 17, 2015}}</ref> In 1994, Clarke was replaced by Rose's childhood friend and [[Hollywood Rose]] collaborator [[Paul Tobias]].<ref name="symph">{{cite web|url=http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/articles/showarticle.php?articleid=125|title=Four Bust-ups And A Single!|date=November 1994|work=[[Raw (music magazine)|RAW]]|access-date=April 24, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317020545/http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/articles/showarticle.php?articleid=125|archive-date=March 17, 2015}}</ref> Around this time, Rose became "obsessed" with [[electronica]] and [[industrial rock]], particularly the work of [[Nine Inch Nails]], and wanted Guns N' Roses to move towards a more contemporary musical direction.<ref name="WAR2">{{cite book|first=Mick|last=Wall|title=W.A.R.: The Unauthorized Biography of William Axl Rose|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IyM2nd4ZswwC&pg=PA355|date=5 February 2008|publisher=St. Martin's Publishing Group|isbn=978-1-4299-2884-7|page=263}}</ref> Other members did not agree, causing a rift.<ref name="WAR2"/> In early 1995 guitarist [[Zakk Wylde]] was brought in to audition as a second guitarist.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.gibson.com/News-Lifestyle/Features/en-us/zakk-guns-and-roses-0105-2012.aspx|title=What Could Have Been: Zakk Wylde Talks Guns N' Roses|last=Hodgson|first=Peter|date=January 5, 2012|publisher=gibson.com|work=[[Gibson (guitar company)|Gibson]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140423045023/http://www2.gibson.com/News-Lifestyle/Features/en-us/zakk-guns-and-roses-0105-2012.aspx|archive-date=April 23, 2014|url-status=dead|access-date=May 19, 2014|quote="It could have been one of the most interesting heavy music collaborations in rock history: Zakk Wylde as a member of Guns N' Roses ... And it very nearly happened in the mid-1990s"|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name="Spin 1999">{{cite magazine|last=Spitz|first=Marc|author-link=Marc Spitz|date=July 1999|title=What the World Needs Now is Axl Rose: The Unauthorized Saga of Rock's Greatest Recluse|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=I5x8l8IaNUMC&pg=PA93|magazine=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]|location=New York City|publisher=[[SpinMedia]]|volume=15|pages=80–93|issn=0886-3032|access-date=March 29, 2018|number=7}}</ref> Slash left in 1996 following creative differences with Rose and personal problems with Tobias.<ref name="slash autobiography">{{cite book |author1=[[Slash (musician)|Slash]]|author2=[[Anthony Bozza|Bozza, Anthony]]|date=October 29, 2007 |title=[[Slash (autobiography)|Slash]] |publisher=[[HarperCollins]]|page=397 |isbn=978-0-06-135142-6 |chapter=12: Breakdown}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/news/shownews.php?newsid=6|title=The Guns 'N Roses Report|date=January 13, 1997|work=[[Addicted to Noise]]|access-date=April 24, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150505061605/http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/news/shownews.php?newsid=6|archive-date=May 5, 2015}}</ref> Slash was replaced in January 1997 by former Nine Inch Nails touring guitarist [[Robin Finck]].<ref name="GOCLINK">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1429816/guns-go-clink/|title=Guns Go Clink|date=May 22, 1997|work=[[MTV News]]|publisher=[[Viacom (2005–present)|Viacom]]|access-date=April 24, 2015|quote="sources say former Nine Inch Nails guitarist Robin Finck will be the new primary axe-slinger. Finck is said to be replacing Slash who left the band last year over creative differences"|archive-date=June 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630060815/http://www.mtv.com/news/1429816/guns-go-clink/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In February 1997, electronic producer [[Moby]] entered talks to produce and worked with the band for a few months;<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 18, 1997 |title=Moby And Axl Rose: Producing Pals? |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1429822/moby-and-axl-rose-producing-pals/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815201618/http://www.mtv.com/news/1429822/moby-and-axl-rose-producing-pals/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 15, 2018 |website=[[MTV News]]}}</ref> he said: "They're writing with a lot of [[Loop (music)|loops]], and believe it or not, they're doing it better than anybody I've heard lately."<ref name="fiveyears">{{Cite web |date=November 23, 2013 |title=GN'R's Chinese Democracy five years on |url=http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/features/chinese-democracy-five-years-on/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131126073244/http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/features/chinese-democracy-five-years-on/ |archive-date=November 26, 2013 |work=[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]]}}</ref> Moby's relationship with Rose soured when he asked about recording vocals, Moby said "I asked the question I'm never supposed to ask. I asked, 'Oh, this is great, but where are the vocals?'. And everyone got very uncomfortable. They've been working on the record for six years and they hadn't done any vocals.".<ref name="moby">{{cite news |last=jomatami |url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/moby_talks_gnr_hiring_him_to_produce_chinese_democracy__how_he_angered_axl_with_question_he_was_never_supposed_to_ask.html |title=Moby Talks GN'R Hiring Him to Produce 'Chinese Democracy' & How He Angered Axl With Question He Was Never Supposed to Ask |work=Ultimate Guitar, SiriusXM |date=May 14, 2019 |access-date=May 24, 2025 }}</ref> He later stated "'Look, I'm not a producer. I can make my own records, but I've never produced a rock band in my life. And I just didn't think that my first job as a rock producer should be producing Guns N' Roses."<ref name="moby"/> Moby soon pulled out to focus on his solo work.<ref name="TAKESTIME">{{Cite magazine |date=February 20, 1998 |title=Axl Rose takes his time |url=http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/news/shownews.php?newsid=44 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref> Longtime Guns N' Roses producer [[Mike Clink]] is also reported to have been in talks to work on the album that year.<ref name="Clink">{{cite web |date=May 22, 1997 |title=Guns Go Clink |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1429816/guns-go-clink/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630060815/http://www.mtv.com/news/1429816/guns-go-clink/ |archive-date=June 30, 2017 |access-date=April 24, 2015 |work=[[MTV News]]}}</ref> [[Scott Litt]], [[Steve Lillywhite]], and [[Mark Bell (British musician)|Mark Bell]] were all considered as producers.<ref name="GOCLINK" /><ref name="TAKESTIME" /> In April 1997, drummer [[Matt Sorum]] was fired after an argument with Rose about Tobias's inclusion.<ref>{{cite news |last=Harkness |first=Geoff |date=June 28, 2001 |title=Seven Questions with Matt Sorum of The Cult |work=[[Lawrence Journal-World]] |url=http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2001/jun/28/seven_questions_with/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 3, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080914002401/http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2001/jun/28/seven_questions_with/ |archive-date=September 14, 2008}}</ref> In April 1997, professional basketball player and rapper [[Shaquille O'Neal]] jammed with Reed, Tobias and studio drummer Sidd Riggs, saying "I saw Guns N'Roses listed on the bulletin board in the lobby of the studio so I stuck my head in to check it out.They asked me to join them, so I started freestyling. Rose downplayed it as a serious collaboration, saying, "I've never met the man. He goofed around with Paul and Diz and it went from there."<reF>[https://www.gnrevolution.com/viewtopic.php?pid=54761#p54761 1997: Chinese Whispers / 1997 / GNR Evolution: Wazzup?]</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Magnotta |first=Andrew |url=https://www.iheart.com/content/2018-11-28-shaq-jammed-with-guns-n-roses-during-chinese-democracy-sessions/ |title=Shaq Jammed With Guns N' Roses During 'Chinese Democracy' Sessions |work=iHeartRadio |date=November 28, 2018 |access-date=May 24, 2025 }}</ref> Former Nine Inch Nails touring drummer [[Chris Vrenna]] was brought in to audition for several months, and the tentative lineup was Rose, McKagan, Tobias, Finck, Vrenna and keyboardist [[Dizzy Reed]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/news/shownews.php?newsid=11|title=Rolling Stone Random Daily Notes: Appetite for Deconstruction|date=April 4, 1997|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|access-date=April 24, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150505061200/http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/news/shownews.php?newsid=11|archive-date=May 5, 2015}}</ref> Vrenna said of his time "When I was there, Moby was going to produce. Axl didn't come in very often... So sometimes we jammed. Sometimes me and Moby just sat and drank coffee and talked about music. Moby was rad."<ref name="vrenna">{{cite news |last=Wake |first=Matt |url=https://www.al.com/life-and-culture/erry-2018/10/2b578ecb8a5013/why-is-nine-inch-nails-marilyn.html |title=Why is Nine Inch Nails' ex-drummer teaching college in Alabama? |work=Al.com |date=October 24, 2018 |access-date=May 24, 2025 }}</ref> Vrenna left and multiple drummers auditioned, including Riggs,<ref>{{cite web |last=Elias |first=Paul |date=July 18, 1995 |title=Drunk-Driving Case Puts Rocker on Trial |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-07-18-me-25277-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170419193156/http://articles.latimes.com/1995-07-18/local/me-25277_1_drunk-driving |archive-date=April 19, 2017 |publisher=[[Ross Levinsohn]] |via=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Kleid |first=Beth |date=July 24, 1995 |title= MOVIES - July 24, 1995 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-07-24-ca-27261-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170419194034/http://articles.latimes.com/1995-07-24/entertainment/ca-27261_1_stallone-s-movie |archive-date=April 19, 2017 |publisher=[[Ross Levinsohn]] |via=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> [[Dave Abbruzzese]],<ref name="GOCLINK"/> [[Michael Bland]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.moderndrummer.com/2006/08/michael-bland-2/|title=Michael Bland|last=Amendola|first=Billy|date=August 1, 2006|work=Modern Drummer Magazine|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180319101103/https://www.moderndrummer.com/2006/08/michael-bland-2/|archive-date=March 19, 2018|access-date=August 18, 2015}}</ref> and [[Joey Castillo]].<ref name="vrenna"/> Eventually [[Josh Freese]] ([[The Vandals]], [[Devo]]) was hired as the full-time drummer in mid-1997.<ref name="99his">{{cite web|title=The History of GN'R: The Shocking Truth 1996–99|publisher=HereTodayGoneToHell.com|url=http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/history/history9699.php|access-date=July 2, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150618040859/http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/history/history9699.php|archive-date=June 18, 2015}}</ref> Freese was inspired to join when Rose wanted him to contribute to songwriting, atypical for his experiences as a drummer.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/josh_freese_reveals_why_working_with_axl_rose_on_chinese_democracy_was_different_from_doing_sessions_for_other_a-listers.html|title=Josh Freese Reveals Why Working With Axl Rose on 'Chinese Democracy' Was Different From Doing Sessions for Other A-Listers|website=www.ultimate-guitar.com}}</ref> McKagan, who had recently become a father, left in August 1997. McKagan was frustrated with the lack of progress: "Guns had been paying rent on studios for three years now—from 1994 to 1997—and still did not have a single song. The whole operation was so erratic that it didn't seem to fit with my hopes for parenthood, for stability."<ref>{{cite book |last=McKagan |first=Duff |author-link=Duff McKagan |title=It's so Easy (and other lies) |publisher=Touchstone |others=Collaboration by [[Tim Mohr]] |year=2011 |isbn=978-1-4516-0664-5 |editor-last=Creamer |editor-first=Stacy |page=123}}</ref> [[Tool (band)|Tool]] collaborator [[Chris Pitman]] joined as a second keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist in early 1998.<ref>{{cite news |last=Krgin |first=Borivoj |date=October 24, 2008 |title=Guns N' Roses Keyboardist Chris Pitman Interviewed By 'Noise Up Thursdays'; Audio Available |work=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/guns-n-roses-keyboardist-chris-pitman-interviewed-by-noise-up-thursdays-audio-available/ |url-status=live |access-date=December 23, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151224205101/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/guns-n-roses-keyboardist-chris-pitman-interviewed-by-noise-up-thursdays-audio-available/ |archive-date=December 24, 2015}}</ref> On Freese's recommendation, the band hired bassist [[Tommy Stinson]] of [[The Replacements (band)|The Replacements]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Fox |first=Brian |date=April 2009 |title=Guns N' Roses Chinese Democracy: Tommy Stinson, The Ultimate Replacement Talks Tone & Turmoul |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/guns-n-roses-bassist-talks-chinese-democracy/ |magazine=[[Bass Player (magazine)|Bass Player]] |publisher=[[NewBay Media]]}}</ref> By early 1998, Guns N' Roses comprised Rose on vocals, Stinson on bass, Freese on drums, Finck on lead guitar, Tobias on rhythm guitar, and Reed and Pitman on keyboards.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 2, 2016 |title=Guns N' Roses Lineup Changes: A Complete Guide (We Think) |url=http://ultimateclassicrock.com/guns-n-roses-lineup-changes/ |website=[[Ultimate Classic Rock]]}}</ref> ==Recording== ===Early sessions with Youth=== In February 1998, the band's manager Doug Goldstein said "[the band is] three to five months away from actually recording, but [don't] expect a record until 1999."<ref name="TAKESTIME"/> In early 1998, the band began recording at [[Rumbo Recorders]], a studio in the [[San Fernando Valley]] where Guns N' Roses had recorded parts of ''[[Appetite for Destruction]]'' (1987).<ref name="NY Times" /> Around this time, Geffen paid Rose $1 million to finish the album and offered a further $1 million if he submitted it by March 1, 1999.<ref name="NY Times" /> Geffen brought in [[Artists and repertoire|A&R]] man James Barber to help the band, "Nothing else had worked, so Geffen figured they'd send me in to talk to Axl after I moved to Los Angeles. No expense was spared; they were the biggest band in the history of the label... We desperately wanted the new album for Christmas 1998 and I had a year to get it finished."<ref name="barber">{{Cite web|url=https://www.a-4-d.com/t5304-2005-10-13-poptones-interview-with-james-barber-geffen-ar-producer|title=2005.10.13 – Poptones – Interview with James Barber (Geffen A&R, producer)|website=www.a-4-d.com}}</ref> Barber later said the music the band was working on was "pretty incredible, [still sounding] like GNR, but with [[Led Zeppelin]], Nine Inch Nails and [[Pink Floyd]] mixed in. If Axl had recorded vocals, it would have been an absolutely contemporary record in 1999."<ref name="barber"/> In mid-1998, producer [[Youth (musician)|Youth]] ([[U2]], [[the Verve]]) was brought in to work on demos and help Rose focus.<ref name="fiveyears"/> Youth felt that Rose was not ready to record a new album, stating "He kind of pulled out ... He was quite isolated. There weren't very many people I think he could trust."<ref name="NY Times" /> Frustrated, Youth left the project.<ref name="fiveyears" /> Rose later said he had stopped writing for years in the mid-1990s because of criticism from bandmates and his ex-fiancée [[Stephanie Seymour]].<ref name="USA Today">{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2012/10/30/axl-rose-on-gnr-music-more/1669329/|title=Exclusive: Axl Rose on GNR, truce and writer's block|last=Gundersen|first=Edna|website=[[USA Today]]|author-link=Edna Gundersen|date=October 30, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141124004658/http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2012/10/30/axl-rose-on-gnr-music-more/1669329/|archive-date=November 24, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Rose did not appear in the studio every day. Engineer Dave Dominguez said: "He'd be 'on' for a couple of weeks and then 'off' for a couple weeks. He called in pretty much every day, though. He'd ask who was there, what they were doing."<ref name="daveENG"/> Rose rarely sang while attending sessions, occasionally performing instruments with the band and spending many nights casually discussing non-music-related topics.<ref name="daveENG"/> Rose ordered the studio engineers to continue recording ideas the band came up with in his absence. He was sent several CDs and [[Digital Audio Tape|DAT]]s a week, featuring different mixes of possible songs.<ref name="NY Times" /> Eventually, he accumulated over 1000 CDs.<ref name="NY Times" /> Goldstein said the band had "more than 300 hours" worth of recorded material, "they each take a CD home, listen for cool parts, pick them out, and that's how they build songs."<ref name="TAKESTIME"/> Dominguez recalled the process: {{blockquote|Some parts were three seconds long, some were three minutes long. Sometimes it was just a guitar lick. They were transferred to CD. Everything had an ID and a number, then the CDs were made for each member of the band. They could go, 'OK, on set four, CD three, idea 15, let's do something with that.' Then everybody would take their CD home, get the part and write something to that. It was intense.<ref name="daveENG">{{Cite web|url=https://www.a-4-d.com/t6442-2010-12-dd-what-s-on-dubai-appetite-for-destruction|title=2010.12.DD – What's On Dubai – Appetite For Destruction|website=www.a-4-d.com}}</ref>}} ===Sean Beavan joins=== The band worked with producer [[Sean Beavan]] from late 1998 to early 2000.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sean Beavan interview (2012) / Guns N' Roses / GNR Evolution – Guns N Roses Forum |url=http://www.gnrevolution.com/viewtopic.php?id=12844 |website=www.gnrevolution.com}}</ref><ref name="Beav">{{cite podcast |url=https://gnrcentral.com/2018/02/22/guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy-producer-sean-beavan-interview/ |title=Former Guns N' Roses Producer on Chinese Democracy Talks GNR, Nine Inch Nails & More! |website=GNR Central |date=February 22, 2018 |access-date=July 3, 2018 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308175609/https://gnrcentral.com/2018/02/22/guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy-producer-sean-beavan-interview/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Saidman |first=Sorrelle |date=September 18, 1998 |title=Guns n' Roses Eye Producer |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/guns-n-roses-eye-producer-98775/ |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref> Stinson said that "most of the songs on the album started and ended with what [Beavan] did".<ref name="stins">{{Cite web |last=Rosen |first=Craig |date=January 23, 2017 |title=After Surviving the Replacements and GNR, Tommy Stinson Revives Bash & Pop |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/after-surviving-the-replacements-and-gnr-tommy-stinson-revives-bash-pop-234957501.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180608222749/https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/after-surviving-the-replacements-and-gnr-tommy-stinson-revives-bash-pop-234957501.html |archive-date=June 8, 2018 |website=[[Yahoo!]]}}</ref> Beavan recorded Rose's vocals in less than a week, most of which are the takes appearing on the final release.<ref name="Beav" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dynasty |first=Dre |date=December 7, 2015 |title=Richard Fortus on Guns N' Roses, The Dead Daisies, and 2016 |url=https://www.socialmagazine.us/social-magazines-dre-dynasty-ali-abouomar-interview-richard-fortus-of-guns-n-roses/ |website=Social Magazine}}</ref> Beavan claimed to have worked on 35 songs during his time with the band.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Firecloud |first=Johnny |date=August 13, 2008 |title=Antiquiet's Three-Way With 8mm |url=http://antiquiet.com/interviews/2008/08/antiquiets-three-way-with-8mm/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090721130719/http://antiquiet.com/interviews/2008/08/antiquiets-three-way-with-8mm/ |archive-date=July 21, 2009 |website=Antiquiet}}</ref> [[Billy Howerdel]] worked as a [[Pro Tools]] engineer during the album's early development, saying: "I came in, to start, making sounds for Robin Finck, and that kind of turned into this two-and-a-half-year gig with the band."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Krgin |first=Borivoj |date=November 21, 2017 |title=A PERFECT CIRCLE Guitarist Says He 'Became Close' With AXL ROSE During Making Of 'Chinese Democracy' |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/a-perfect-circle-guitarist-says-he-became-close-with-axl-rose-during-making-of-chinese-democracy/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615200311/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/a-perfect-circle-guitarist-says-he-became-close-with-axl-rose-during-making-of-chinese-democracy/ |archive-date=June 15, 2018 |work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]}}</ref> At one point, Rose temporarily abandoned the album so the new lineup could rerecord Guns N' Roses' debut album ''Appetite for Destruction'' (1987), with the intent of using newer recording techniques to "spruce up" ''Appetite''. According to Rose, this forced the new members to "get up to the quality they needed to be at" and helped the writing and recording process.<ref name="Loder99" />{{efn|The re-recordings of ''Appetite'' were never released; except part of the re-recorded version of "Sweet Child O' Mine" appears during the end credits of ''[[Big Daddy (1999 film)|Big Daddy]]'' later that year.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1429782/new-guns-n-roses-makes-mystery-debut-live-album-sessions-underway/ |title=New Guns N' Roses Makes Mystery Debut; Live Album Sessions Underway |work=[[MTV News]] |date=July 9, 1999 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128140836/http://www.mtv.com/news/1429782/new-guns-n-roses-makes-mystery-debut-live-album-sessions-underway/ |archive-date=January 28, 2020 |access-date=January 28, 2020 }}</ref>}} In May 1999, [[Queen (band)|Queen]] guitarist [[Brian May]] recorded guitar for several songs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.guitarworld.com/news/brian-may-guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy|title=Brian May recalls his "odd" experience recording on-off contributions for Guns N' Roses' Chinese Democracy|author1=Matt Owen|date=April 20, 2022|website=guitarworld}}</ref>{{efn|None of May's work was featured on the album and May was not informed his contributions were removed, writing on his website in 2008: "I did put quite a lot of work in, and was proud of it. But I could understand if Axl wants to have an album which reflects the work of the members of the band as it is, right now."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anthony |first=James |date=November 7, 2008 |title=Brian May dropped from Guns N' Roses album |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/nov/07/brian-may-chinese-democracy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625022027/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/nov/07/brian-may-chinese-democracy |archive-date=June 25, 2018 |website=The Guardian}}</ref>}} By mid-1999, Guns N' Roses had recorded over 30 songs, and the album was tentatively titled ''2000 Intentions''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Everley |first=Dave |date=August 21, 1999 |title=Guns N' Roses 2-part article |url=http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/articles/showarticle.php?articleid=27 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317013934/http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/articles/showarticle.php?articleid=27 |archive-date=March 17, 2015 |access-date=April 24, 2015 |work=[[Kerrang!]]}}</ref> === Title announcement and "Oh My God" === [[File:Download Feastival 2006 -1.jpg|thumb|left|Guns N' Roses at 2006's [[Download Festival]], attending as a part of the [[Chinese Democracy tour]]]] During a 1999 interview, Rose announced the title ''Chinese Democracy'', saying: "There's a lot of [[Chinese democracy movement]]s, and it's something that there's a lot of talk about, and it's something that will be nice to see. It could also just be like an ironic statement. I don't know, I just like the sound of it."<ref name="Loder99">{{cite web|url=http://heretodaygonetohell.com/news/shownews.php?newsid=200|last1=Loder|first1=Kurt|author-link=Kurt Loder|title=Axl Rose – A conversation with Kurt Loder|work=[[MTV News]]|publisher=Viacom|date=November 3, 1999|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304035353/http://heretodaygonetohell.com/news/shownews.php?newsid=200|archive-date=March 4, 2016}}</ref> Rose also said the album would feature a "melting pot" of varied sounds, including several heavy and aggressive songs.<ref name="Loder99" /> In late November 1999, Rose played several tracks for ''[[Rolling Stone]]'', who likened the new sound to "[[Led Zeppelin]]'s ''[[Physical Graffiti]]'' remixed by [[Beck]] and [[Trent Reznor]]".<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/620385/new-guns-n-roses-lp-boasts-techno-industrial-edge/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815075518/http://www.mtv.com/news/620385/new-guns-n-roses-lp-boasts-techno-industrial-edge/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 15, 2018 |title=New Guns N' Roses LP Boasts Techno, Industrial Edge |last=Vanhorn |first=Teri |date=January 12, 2000 |website=[[MTV News]]}}</ref> In 1997 and 1998, sources had described the album as different from previous Guns N' Roses records, with an [[Electronic music|electronic]] influence.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kaufman |first=Gil |date=March 19, 1997 |title=Guns N' Roses to go techno? |url=http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/news/shownews.php?newsid=9 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150505061525/http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/news/shownews.php?newsid=9 |archive-date=May 5, 2015 |access-date=April 24, 2015 |work=[[Addicted to Noise]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Strauss |first1=Neil |author-link=Neil Strauss |date=July 23, 1998 |title=THE POP LIFE; Failure's Hard But Success Can Be Worse |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/07/23/arts/the-pop-life-failure-s-hard-but-success-can-be-worse.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150505055627/http://www.nytimes.com/1998/07/23/arts/the-pop-life-failure-s-hard-but-success-can-be-worse.html |archive-date=May 5, 2015 |access-date=April 30, 2015 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> Chris Vrenna said that Rose wanted to create an album similar to [[U2]] and [[Brian Eno]]'s collaboration ''[[Original Soundtracks 1]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wake |first=Matt |date=October 23, 2018 |title=Why is Nine Inch Nails' ex-drummer teaching college in Alabama? |url=https://www.al.com/expo/life-and-culture/erry-2018/10/2b578ecb8a5013/why-is-nine-inch-nails-marilyn.html |access-date=December 31, 2018 |website=[[The Birmingham News]]}}</ref> Though it was often reported as an [[industrial rock]] album, in 2001 Rose said: "It is not industrial ... There will be all kinds of styles, many influences as blues, mixed in the songs."<ref name="HTGTH">{{cite web |last=Di Natale |first=Juan |date=January 22, 2001 |title=Axl interview Rock & Pop FM Argentina |url=http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/articles/showarticle.php?articleid=38 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317014350/http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/articles/showarticle.php?articleid=38 |archive-date=March 17, 2015 |access-date=November 17, 2007 |publisher=Rock & Pop FM}}</ref> Rose said in 1999 that the band had recorded enough material for at least two albums,<ref name="Loder99" /> including the potential for an album more industrial and electronic than ''Chinese Democracy''.<ref name="Axlspeaks">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/axl-speaks-20000203?page=3|title=Rolling Stone 833: Axl Speaks|last=Wild|first=David|author-link=David Wild|date=February 3, 2000|magazine=Rolling Stone|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518113535/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/axl-speaks-20000203?page=3|archive-date=May 18, 2015|url-status=dead|access-date=April 23, 2015}}</ref> Sources said the band's initial plans were to record two albums, release ''Chinese Democracy'', tour for a year or two, and release the second album without having to return to the studio.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://htgth.com/news/shownews.php?newsid=409 |title=GN'R update |last=Luukkonen |first=Jarmo |date=October 23, 2001 |website=htgth.com |access-date=July 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709153751/http://htgth.com/news/shownews.php?newsid=409 |archive-date=July 9, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> In November 1999, Guns N' Roses released their first new track in five years and the first original song in eight years, the [[industrial metal]] song "[[Oh My God (Guns N' Roses song)|Oh My God]]", featured in the film ''[[End of Days (film)|End of Days]]'' and released on the soundtrack.<ref name=":1">{{Cite magazine |last=Saidman |first=Sorelle |date=September 9, 1999 |title=Good God, Guns! Guns N' Roses cut new track "Oh My God" with Dave Navarro |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/good-god-guns-19990909 |url-status=live |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170318085146/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/good-god-guns-19990909 |archive-date=March 18, 2017}}</ref> The song features Rose, Tobias, Stinson, Reed, Pitman, Finck, and Freese, along with guitarists [[Dave Navarro]] (of [[Jane's Addiction]]) and Gary Sunshine.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/517611/best-of-99-guns-n-roses-leader-breaks-silence-disses-former-bandmates/ |title=Best of '99: Guns N' Roses Leader Breaks Silence, Disses Former Bandmate |last=Kaufman |first=Gil |date=September 22, 1999 |website=MTV |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831180701/http://www.mtv.com/news/517611/best-of-99-guns-n-roses-leader-breaks-silence-disses-former-bandmates/ |archive-date=August 31, 2017 }}</ref> "Oh My God" received mixed reviews; [[AllMusic]] described it as "a less than satisfying comeback".<ref name="NY Times" /><ref name="AMG-EoD">{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r443442|pure_url=yes}}|title=Allmusic: End of Days — Overview|access-date=November 17, 2006|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen|publisher=[[All Media Guide]]}}</ref> ''Rolling Stone'' suggested the release was a stopgap to pacify fans and offset the mounting recording costs.<ref name=":1" /> Beavan, who produced the track, said it was included on the soundtrack at the request of [[Jimmy Iovine]], the head of Geffen, who had picked it for the film after listening to several work-in-progress songs.<ref name="Beav"/> Rose, Iovine, and several studio technicians stayed up all night adjusting the final mix before it was due.<ref name="NY Times" /> Rose later considered the track an unfinished demo due to the timing of the release.<ref name="Fan"/> === Lineup changes, Beavan exits, and Roy Thomas Baker joins === While work was being finished on "Oh My God", Finck left to rejoin Nine Inch Nails.<ref name=":1" /><ref name="Lost years" /> In January 2000, Goldstein said ''Chinese Democracy'' was "99% done" and was set for release in mid-2000.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 30, 2000 |title=Where Did They Go Now? |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/guns-n-roses-v7n8/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709044159/https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/znzp4a/guns-n-roses-v7n8 |archive-date=July 9, 2018 |work=[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]]}}</ref> In a February 2000 ''Rolling Stone'' interview, Rose said it had been delayed partially because he was learning how to use new recording technology: "It's like from scratch, learning how to work with something, and not wanting it just to be something you did on a computer."<ref name="Axlspeaks" /> The band moved their base of operations to [[The Village (studio)|Village Recorders]] around this time.<ref name="lostmast"/> In March 2000, Rose hired the guitarist [[Buckethead]] to replace Finck.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Loder |first1=Kurt |author-link=Kurt Loder |date=November 21, 2002 |title=Beneath The Bucket, Behind The Mask: Kurt Loder Meets GN'R's Buckethead |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1458813/beneath-the-bucket-behind-the-mask-kurt-loder-meets-gnrs-buckethead/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150517004451/http://www.mtv.com/news/1458813/beneath-the-bucket-behind-the-mask-kurt-loder-meets-gnrs-buckethead/ |archive-date=May 17, 2015 |access-date=May 16, 2015 |work=[[MTV]]}}</ref> According to ''[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]]'', Buckethead's eccentric stage persona – he wore a blank white mask and a [[KFC]] bucket on his head – made him the "negative image of top-hatted, easygoing Slash", and rumors spread that Buckethead was Slash in disguise.<ref name=":2">{{cite journal |last=Zutaut |first=Tom |date=March 2008 |title=GN'R Exclusive! Psychic Tests! Pet Wolves! Chicken Coops! CHINESE DEMOCRACY. The Unbelievable true story – told for the first time. |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/guns-n-roses-the-making-of-chinese-democracy |url-status=live |journal=[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |issue=116 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709055603/https://www.loudersound.com/features/guns-n-roses-the-making-of-chinese-democracy |archive-date=July 9, 2018 |access-date=May 19, 2015}}</ref> At the end of his three-year contract, Josh Freese left to join [[A Perfect Circle]], a band recently formed by Billy Howerdel, who had left the project several months earlier.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/josh-freese-interview/|title=Josh Freese of Devo and the Vandals Is the Blue Collar Freelance Drummer to the Stars|last=Jones|first=Bill|date=August 21, 2014|website=Noisey|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619214307/https://noisey.vice.com/en_us/article/r3gevr/josh-freese-interview|archive-date=June 19, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/guns-n-roses-355-1397181|title=Guns N' Roses Lose Another Member?|date=March 15, 2000|website=NME|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619213759/http://www.nme.com/news/music/guns-n-roses-355-1397181|archive-date=June 19, 2018}}</ref> Freese was frustrated with the lack of tours, likening the band to "a giant jumbo jet sat on the tarmac waiting to take off".<ref>{{cite news |last=Hoare |first=Tom |url=http://static1.squarespace.com/static/53afcd8be4b0f6113496b34f/t/57769785414fb56f6c84f9a2/1467389848440/TDJ_Issue_Thirteen.pdf#page=19 |format=PDF |title=The Josh Freese Interview |work=The Drummer's Journal |date=June 29, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230523070154/http://static1.squarespace.com/static/53afcd8be4b0f6113496b34f/t/57769785414fb56f6c84f9a2/1467389848440/TDJ_Issue_Thirteen.pdf#page=19 |archive-date=May 23, 2023 |access-date=January 26, 2025 }}</ref> At the recommendation of Buckethead, [[Brain (musician)|Brain]] was brought in as drummer.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |last=Bosso |first=Joe |date=October 17, 2008 |title=Brain talks about making Guns N' Roses' Chinese Democracy |url=http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/brain-talks-about-making-guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy-177777 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216134522/http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/brain-talks-about-making-guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy-177777 |archive-date=February 16, 2016 |access-date=February 10, 2016 |work=MusicRadar}}</ref><ref name="Ido" /> In early 2000, Beavan left the project.<ref name="Beav" /> At this time the album was nearly complete, but after Rose hired Queen producer [[Roy Thomas Baker]] to replace Beavan, he was persuaded to do re-recording work on the entire album.<ref name="babd">{{cite web|url=http://grantland.com/features/justin-timberlake-daft-punk-chinese-democracy-effect/|title=Building a Better Democracy|last1=Hyden|first1=Steven|author-link=Steven Hyden|date=July 23, 2013|work=[[Grantland]]|publisher=[[ESPN]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150616055730/http://grantland.com/features/justin-timberlake-daft-punk-chinese-democracy-effect/|archive-date=June 16, 2015|access-date=May 17, 2015}}</ref><ref name="CDmk2">{{cite web|url=http://www.gnrevolution.com/viewtopic.php?pid=73567#p73567|title=Chinese Whispers: 2001: CD Mk. 2|publisher=GNR Evolution|access-date=September 13, 2010}}</ref>{{efn|Dizzy Reed later disputed the claim that Baker solely convinced Rose to rerecord the album.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/news/shownews.php?newsid=2385|title=HTGTH.com: Guns N' Roses News: Dizzy Reed – Wikipedia: Fact or Fiction? [video]|website=www.heretodaygonetohell.com}}</ref>}} Baker felt Freese's drums needed to be rerecorded, as they sounded too "industrial"; Brain said they sounded digital, with "not a lot of air moving".<ref name=":0" /> Rose felt that the finished album should reflect the "energy" of those who worked on it, and so felt Freese's drums should be replaced. Geffen employee Tom Zutaut said that Freese's drumming was "spectacular". He said: "I would not have wanted to be in Brain's shoes. Basically we were saying to [Brain] 'We have got a brilliant performance of this and now we need you to recreate it'."<ref name=":2" /> Rose had Brain learn Freese's parts note by note; Brain had the parts transcribed, then played them from a [[teleprompter]] before trying the songs again in his style.<ref name=":0" /> According to Brain, he recorded his parts in eight months<ref name="rec">{{cite web |author=[[Tommy Stinson]] |title=GNR Evolution: Chinese Whispers: Chinese Whispers – The Secret History of the New Studio Album: 2001: Sanders' Last Stand |url=http://www.gnrevolution.com/viewtopic.php?pid=55624#p55624 |publisher=GNR Evolution, 2009. Stinson interview from Rhinocast, January 16, 2006.01/16/06 Brain interview from QTV, October 2008.}}</ref> and the final album features a hybrid of his and Freese's styles.<ref name=":0" /> Bassist [[Tommy Stinson]] said he had to rerecord his bass parts with each change in drummer: "I probably ended up completely re-recording each part five or six times over the years."<ref name="STINSBASS"/> Stinson was later critical of the rerecording process, saying that Baker "wasted many years and many millions of dollars trying to get us better sounds that we could have addressed in the mixing stage".<ref name="STINSBASS"/> At the end of Nine Inch Nails' [[Fragility Tour]] in July 2000, Finck rejoined the band.<ref name="Lost years">{{Cite magazine |last=Wilkinson |first=Peter |date=May 11, 2000 |title=Axl Rose: The Lost Years: The inside story of rock's most famous recluse |url=http://www.gnrevolution.com/viewtopic.php?id=2940 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|issue=840}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-jan-02-ca-7252-story.html |title=New Guns N' Roses Gets Right Back in the Jungle |last=Appleford |first=Steve |date=January 2, 2001 |work=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> Rose had previously threatened to remove Finck's parts from the album after seeing Finck perform with Nine Inch Nails at the [[1999 MTV Video Music Awards]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/news/shownews.php?newsid=208 |title=Trent Reznor on Axl |date=December 7, 1999 |website=heretodaygonetohell.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150611203135/http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/news/shownews.php?newsid=208 |archive-date=June 11, 2015 }}</ref> Composers [[Marco Beltrami]] and [[Paul Buckmaster]] worked on orchestral arrangements.<ref name="belt" /><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://bravewords.com/news/axl-rose-pays-tribute-to-late-guns-n-roses-orchestral-arranger-paul-buckmaster-i-feel-very-fortunate-to-have-met-him |title=AXL ROSE Pays Tribute To Late GUNS N' ROSES Orchestral Arranger PAUL BUCKMASTER – "I Feel Very Fortunate To Have Met Him" |date=November 10, 2017 |website=[[Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles]]}}</ref> In 2003, Beltrami said of the experience: "I met with Axl and he played me these songs, asked me my ideas about them... I actually wrote some melodies and stuff. The music was eclectic and at the time that I was doing it there were no lyrics on the songs that I was working on."<ref name="belt">{{Cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/07/18/more-with-marco |title=More With Marco |last=Spence |first=D. |date=July 18, 2003 |website=[[IGN.com]]}}</ref> Rose said a large inspiration in his writing was "a final offering-up of his side" of conflicts between former bandmates and ex-fiance Seymour, he hopes that her son Dylan (whom Rose was very close to) will eventually hear the album: "I hope he'll hear it when he grows up, if he ever wants to know the story, to hear the truth".<ref name="Axlspeaks"/> === Tom Zutaut joins === In February 2001, [[Jimmy Iovine]], the head of Geffen Records, asked Tom Zutaut, whom the label had fired two years previously, to help Guns N' Roses complete ''Chinese Democracy''. Zutaut was the [[A&R man]] who had discovered the band and guided them through the recording of their previous albums.<ref name=":2" /> After they had resolved some personal differences, Rose told Zutaut of his frustrations in finding the sounds he wanted; for example, he had instructed the production team to recreate the drum sound of [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]]'s 1991 album ''[[Nevermind]]'' but was not satisfied with the results. With Zutaut's intervention, the team recreated the sound to Rose's satisfaction.<ref name=":2" /> After having Zutaut approved by Rose's personal psychic, whom Rose believed could assess [[Aura (paranormal)|auras]] from photographs, Rose arranged for Geffen to pay Zutaut "whatever it takes". Zutaut's only concession was to defer some of his payment until the album was delivered, but the album missed the deadline.<ref name=":2" /> [[File:Buckethead the granada theatre.jpg|thumb|[[Buckethead]] in 2016, with his signature white mask and [[KFC]] bucket]] Zutaut said Guns N' Roses had 50 to 60 songs in development during this period.<ref name=":2" /> By this point, Buckethead had left, following disagreements with Baker and frustrations over the lack of progress. Zutaut persuaded him to rejoin by installing a giant [[chicken coop]] in the studio for him to work in, with furniture, straw, chicken wire, and rubber chicken parts. Zutaut described it as "part chicken coop, part horror movie ... You could almost smell the chickens."<ref name=":2" /> Only assistant engineers were allowed to enter, to adjust microphones.<ref name=":2" /> Rose's assistant Beta Lebeis downplayed the coop as inexpensive and fun, saying, "It didn't cost money or anything – think about it, it's just wire ... It's something you do in three or four hours. Just for fun, to play a joke on somebody."<ref name=":2" /> However, according to Zutaut, the coop caused friction when Buckethead began using it to watch hardcore pornography, disturbing Rose. Zutaut told an interviewer that, after one of Rose's dogs defecated in the coop, Buckethead insisted it not be cleaned up as he liked the smell. After three days, the smell had become overwhelming and the studio staff removed it, upsetting Buckethead.<ref name=":2" />{{efn|In a 2020 interview, Brain denied that Buckethead had acted disruptively.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Are THOSE Buckethead GNR stories true?|url=https://www.natternet.com/buckethead-gnr-stories|access-date=2020-09-10|website=Natternet|language=en}}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=September 2020}}}} At Interscope's request, Zutaut investigated the project's budget. He found that the band was spending thousands of dollars a month on rented gear that went unused, and he made changes that he estimated saved around $75,000 a month.<ref name=":2" /> Additionally, Rose kept erratic hours, which meant that the salaried musicians, engineers, and assistants were often unable to work. Zutaut said: "These fucking people are getting paid shitloads of money and they're sitting on their arse doing nothing because Axl's not coming to the studio and they can't get him on the phone."<ref name=":2" /> Zutaut tried to convince Rose to release ''Chinese Democracy'' as a solo album, feeling it would sell better.<ref name="CD2018" /> However, Rose said in 2008: "I didn't make a solo record. A solo record would be completely different than this and probably much more instrumental. The songs were chosen by everyone involved."<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.spin.com/2008/12/axl-chinese-democracy-its-not-solo-album/ |title=Axl on 'Chinese Democracy': "It's Not a Solo Album" |last=Fitzmaurice |first=Larry |date=December 16, 2008 |magazine=Spin |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181223110634/https://www.spin.com/2008/12/axl-chinese-democracy-its-not-solo-album/ |archive-date=December 23, 2018 |url-status=live |access-date=December 23, 2018}}</ref> Lebeis said in March 2001 that 48 songs had been completed and that Geffen had begun selecting them for the album.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://ladydairhean.0catch.com/Axl/Interviews/article0155.htm |title=Beta Lebeis Interview |date=March 2001 |website=Brazilian Journal |access-date=September 11, 2019 |archive-date=September 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190907190139/http://ladydairhean.0catch.com/Axl/Interviews/article0155.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> Zutaut estimated that Guns N' Roses had 50 or 60 songs in development. He went through each with Rose, trying to decide which were worth finishing.<ref name=":2" /> According to Zutaut, during his time with the band, they completed versions of "The Blues", "Madagascar", "Chinese Democracy" and "Atlas Shrugged".<ref name=":2" /> ====Zutaut and Baker exit==== For his 2001 film ''[[Black Hawk Down (film)|Black Hawk Down]]'', the filmmaker [[Ridley Scott]] asked to use the 1987 Guns N' Roses song "[[Welcome to the Jungle]]" from their debut album ''Appetite for Destruction.'' According to Zutaut, Rose already had new band members rerecord the entirety of ''Appetite for Destruction'' as part of their induction, and so a day was spent mixing one of these versions.<ref name=":2" /> Rose attended a screening of ''Black Hawk Down'' arranged by Zutaut and fired him when he realized it was not a private screening. Zutaut said he was "set up", which Rose disputed.<ref name=":2" /> According to Zutaut, by this time, around 11 or 12 tracks were complete but for final mixes, the album could have been complete by September 2002.<ref name=":2" /> Baker left the project a few months later.<ref name=":2" /> === Tour === {{See also|Chinese Democracy Tour}} On January 1, 2001, Guns N' Roses played at the [[House of Blues]] in [[Las Vegas]], Nevada, their first concert in over seven years.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1451313/guns-n-roses-ante-up-for-another-new-years-eve-in-vegas/ |title=Guns N' Roses Ante Up For Another New Year's Eve in Vegas |last1=Moss |first1=Corey |date=December 4, 2001 |work=MTV |access-date=May 17, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150801223024/http://www.mtv.com/news/1451313/guns-n-roses-ante-up-for-another-new-years-eve-in-vegas/ |archive-date=August 1, 2015 }}</ref> This was followed by their headlining performance at [[Rock in Rio|Rock in Rio III]]{{sp}} on January 14, 2001, to an audience of 190,000 people.<ref name="Rio review">{{cite web|url = http://www.mtv.com/news/1437951/guns-n-roses-kick-out-the-jams-at-rock-in-rio/|title = Guns N' Roses Kick Out The Jams at Rock in Rio|access-date = December 2, 2007|last1 = Loder|first1 = Kurt|author-link = Kurt Loder|date = January 15, 2001|publisher = MTV|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150329033205/http://www.mtv.com/news/1437951/guns-n-roses-kick-out-the-jams-at-rock-in-rio/|archive-date = March 29, 2015|df = mdy-all}}</ref> On August 29, 2002, they made a surprise visit to the MTV [[Video Music Awards]] in New York; their set included one new song, "Madagascar".<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.mtv.com/news/1457257/guns-n-roses-cap-night-of-spectacles-from-diddy-eminem-timberlake/ |title = Guns N' Roses Cap Night of Spectacles From Diddy, Eminem, Timberlake |access-date = November 21, 2008 |first = Jon |last = Wiederhorn |date = August 29, 2002 |work = MTV |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150802050634/http://www.mtv.com/news/1457257/guns-n-roses-cap-night-of-spectacles-from-diddy-eminem-timberlake/ |archive-date = August 2, 2015 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> The Chinese Democracy Tour was met with mixed reviews in 2002,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20060522005907/en/Guns-Roses-Storm-York-Sold-Shows-Guest|title=Guns N' Roses storm New York; sold out shows, guest stars & fanatic audiences; next up – European tour|date=May 22, 2006|work=businesswire.com|access-date=April 23, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709122057/http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20060522005907/en/Guns-Roses-Storm-York-Sold-Shows-Guest|archive-date=July 9, 2015}}</ref> as no-shows in Vancouver<ref name="vancriot">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1458577/fans-riot-after-guns-n-roses-tour-kickoff-canceled-kurt-loder-reports/|title=Fans riot after Guns N' Roses tour Kickoff Canceled: Kurt Loder Reports|author1=Kurt Loder|author2=MTV News staff|date=November 8, 2002|work=MTV News|access-date=April 23, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150508081313/http://www.mtv.com/news/1458577/fans-riot-after-guns-n-roses-tour-kickoff-canceled-kurt-loder-reports/|archive-date=May 8, 2015}}</ref> and Philadelphia<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/guns-n-roses-cancel-philadelphia-angry-fans-riot/|title=GUNS N' ROSES Cancel Philadelphia, Angry Fans Riot|date=December 7, 2002|website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET}}</ref> led to riots and the tour's cancellation.<ref name="GnRCanceledMTV">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1459058/guns-n-roses-dates-canceled/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141112104741/http://www.mtv.com/news/1459058/guns-n-roses-dates-canceled/|archive-date=November 12, 2014|url-status=dead|title=Guns N' Roses dates canceled|first=Jon|last=Wiederhorn|website=[[MTV]]|date=December 9, 2002|access-date=March 26, 2013}}</ref> {{Quote box | width = 30% | align = left | quote = We composed and recorded for several years and, during that time, there were changes in the band and the staff of the record company. Every time we thought we had good songs, someone said that they could still be better, so we went back to writing and recording. | source = [[Axl Rose]], 2001<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.lanacion.com.ar/49556-axl-rose-paso-tres-dias-en-buenos-aires |title=Axl Rose pasó tres días en Buenos Aires|language=es|trans-title=Axl Rose spent three days in Buenos Aires |date=January 23, 2001 |website=[[La Nación]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180607101150/https://www.lanacion.com.ar/49556-axl-rose-paso-tres-dias-en-buenos-aires |archive-date=June 7, 2018 |url-status=live |access-date=June 7, 2018}}</ref> }} Guitarist [[Richard Fortus]] joined in 2002; he said all but his contribution, the chorus to "Better", had been written by the time he joined, and that some riffs on the final album date back to Slash's time in the band.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/richard-fortus-on-new-guns-n-roses-album-axl-rose-wants-to-create-stuff-and-release-it-when-its-ready/|title=RICHARD FORTUS On New GUNS N' ROSES Album: AXL ROSE 'Wants To Create Stuff And Release It When It is Ready'|date=December 4, 2014|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|first=Borivoj |last=Krgin|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619140337/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/richard-fortus-on-new-guns-n-roses-album-axl-rose-wants-to-create-stuff-and-release-it-when-its-ready/|archive-date=June 19, 2018}}</ref> The band had considered [[The Black Crowes]] guitarist [[Marc Ford]] for the role, but Ford turned it down.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/former-the-black-crowes-guitarist-marc-ford-explains-why-he-turned-down-offer-to-join-guns-n-roses |title=Former THE BLACK CROWES Guitarist MARC FORD Explains Why He Turned Down Offer To Join GUNS N' ROSES |work=Blabbermouth |publisher=Borivoj Krgin |date=September 7, 2023 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908151634/https://blabbermouth.net/news/former-the-black-crowes-guitarist-marc-ford-explains-why-he-turned-down-offer-to-join-guns-n-roses |archivedate=September 8, 2023 }}</ref> In August 2002, Rose wrote on the Guns N' Roses website: "We feel that we have clarity as to the album we're trying to make, we're wrapping it up. We've sorted it down to what songs are on the record, what the sequence of the songs is. The album art is ready."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.undercover.com.au/20020815_gunsnroses.html|title=Guns 'n' Roses get active, Axl speaks|last=Cashmere|first=Paul|date=December 16, 2002|work=Under Cover Media|access-date=August 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021216035652/http://www.undercover.com.au/20020815_gunsnroses.html|archive-date=December 16, 2002|url-status=dead|publisher=Undercover Music Pty Ltd}}</ref> However, he told [[MTV News]] a few weeks later: "You'll see [the album], but I don't know if 'soon' is the word".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1457261/axl-rose-says-gnr-waiting-game-wont-end-soon/|title=Axl Rose Says GN'R Waiting Game Won't End Soon|last=Mancini|first=Rob|date=August 30, 2002|website=MTV|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505024048/http://www.mtv.com/news/1457261/axl-rose-says-gnr-waiting-game-wont-end-soon/|archive-date=May 5, 2016|url-status=dead|access-date=June 7, 2018}}</ref> Reed said in November 2002 that the album would be released by June 2003 and that there were only "a few odds and ends left to do, a couple of finishing touches, a couple of vocals – and we need to mix it".<ref name="June">{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy-in-stores-by-june/|title=Guns N' Roses: 'Chinese Democracy' In Stores By June|date=November 23, 2002|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|first=Borivoj |last=Krgin|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924143328/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy-in-stores-by-june/|archive-date=September 24, 2015|url-status=live|access-date=August 18, 2015}}</ref> Rose also confirmed plans for multiple albums and said the delay was partly due to a lack of support from Geffen for older bands, saying: "I've had to do way more jobs in it than I'm supposed to. I've had to be manager, A&R man, producer, sole lyric writer, and a lot of other things."<ref name="June" /> In 2003, radio DJ [[Eddie Trunk]] played a demo of "I.R.S." leaked to him by [[New York Mets]] catcher [[Mike Piazza]].<ref name="MTV Trunk">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1477813/new-gnr-tune-leaked-by-mets-catcher-mike-piazza/|title=New GN'R Tune Leaked By ... Mets Catcher Mike Piazza?!|author=D'Angelo, Joe|date=September 2, 2003|publisher=MTV|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170704163411/http://www.mtv.com/news/1477813/new-gnr-tune-leaked-by-mets-catcher-mike-piazza/|archive-date=July 4, 2017|url-status=dead|access-date=November 18, 2007}}</ref> He likened it to "''Use Your Illusion''-era stuff, with some modern flairs to it", with a loop track leading to "that same dramatic Guns N' Roses hard rock".<ref name="MTV Trunk" /> The same year, [[the Offspring]] jokingly released a press release saying their next album would be called ''Chinese Democracy (You Snooze, You Lose)'' about the album's protracted development.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/Music/International/Special/Offspring/News/index.html |title=オフスプリング対ガンズン・ロージズ？＝真っ赤なウソ？ |language=Japanese |trans-title=Offspring vs Gunzun Roses? = A bright lie?! |location=Japan |publisher=[[Sony Music Entertainment Japan|Sony Music Japan]] |date=April 14, 2004 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040423064943/http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/Music/International/Special/Offspring/News/index.html |archivedate=April 23, 2004 |accessdate=November 14, 2023 }}</ref> In response, Rose sent the Offspring a [[cease-and-desist order]], to which the Offspring singer, [[Dexter Holland]], responded: "I think it got blown up a little more than we intended it to."<ref>{{cite news |last=Reilly |first=Dan |url=http://www.spinner.com/2009/03/12/offspring-reveals-attempt-to-steal-chinese-democracy/ |title= Offspring Reveal Attempt to Steal 'Chinese Democracy' |work=[[Spinner (website)|Spinner]] |date=March 12, 2009 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130421122401/http://www.spinner.com/2009/03/12/offspring-reveals-attempt-to-steal-chinese-democracy/ |archivedate=April 21, 2013 |accessdate=2023-11-15 }}</ref> In mid-2003, Guns N' Roses reportedly started rerecording ''Chinese Democracy'' again.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gnrevolution.com/viewtopic.php?pid=55879#p55879|title=Chinese Whispers: 2003: Third Time's the Charm|publisher=GNR Evolution|year=2009}}</ref> A music journalist said Rose told him in June 2003 that "he wants to make sure it is a perfect as possible before it is released".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.antimusic.com/news/03/june/item16.shtml|title=Follow-Up: Axl Hopeful For Album Release Soon – Attends Led Zep Release Party|date=June 16, 2003|work=antimusic.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907152632/http://www.antimusic.com/news/03/june/item16.shtml|archive-date=September 7, 2015|url-status=live|access-date=August 18, 2015}}</ref> In 2004, Stinson said ''Chinese Democracy'' was "almost done" and had been delayed by legal problems and because Rose wanted to ensure every band member had a say in each song: "It's a lengthy process because you have to get eight people to basically write a song together that everyone likes."<ref name="MTV-Stinson" /> He also said Rose was a perfectionist. An engineer working on the album said: "Axl wanted to make the best record that had ever been made. It's an impossible task. You could go on infinitely, which is what they've done."<ref name="NY Times" /><ref name="MTV-Stinson" /> Stinson later said: {{blockquote|What really happened was the record company stood back and left Axl to his own devices. He had to basically produce himself, and that's not what he [wanted to do]... the record company really dropped the ball on this one ... everything changed when [[Geffen Records#PolyGram merger and Interscope Geffen A&M (1999–2003|Geffen merged with Interscope]]. Axl was told that Jimmy Iovine would play more of a role [than he did].<ref name="STINSBASS">{{cite magazine|last=Fox|first=Brian|date=April 2009|title=Guns N' Roses Chinese Democracy: Tommy Stinson, The Ultimate Replacement Talks Tone & Turmoul|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/guns-n-roses-bassist-talks-chinese-democracy/|magazine=[[Bass Player (magazine)|Bass Player]]|publisher=[[NewBay Media]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143411/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/guns-n-roses-bassist-talks-chinese-democracy/|archive-date=June 12, 2018|df=mdy-all}}</ref>}} === Conflict with Geffen === By 2004, Geffen had removed ''Chinese Democracy'' from its release schedule and withdrawn funding, stating: "Having exceeded all budgeted and approved recording costs by millions of dollars, it is Mr. Rose's obligation to fund and complete the album, not Geffen's."<ref name="NY Times" /> Around that time, manager [[Merck Mercuriadis]] said the album was close to complete.<ref name="NY Times" /> According to a March 2005 ''[[The New York Times|New York Times]]'' article, production costs for the album had reached $13 million (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|13000000|2005}}}} in current dollar terms), making it probably the most expensive recording "never made".<ref name="NY Times" />{{efn|[[Michael Jackson]]'s ''[[Invincible (Michael Jackson album)|Invincible]]'' allegedly had a $30 million production.<ref>{{cite news|last=Branigan|first=Tania|title=Jackson spends £20m to be Invincible|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2001/sep/08/taniabranigan|access-date=February 16, 2013|newspaper=The Guardian|date=September 8, 2001|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116044622/http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2001/sep/08/taniabranigan|archive-date=January 16, 2013}}</ref>}} Mercuriadis dismissed the article, writing in a letter that the newspaper's sources had not been involved with the project for several years.<ref name="merck article">{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/guns-n-roses-manager-slams-ny-times-over-rubbish-chinese-democracy-article/|title=Guns N' Roses' manager slams NY Times over 'rubbish' 'Chinese Democracy' article|date=March 6, 2005|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|first=Borivoj |last=Krgin|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924143359/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/guns-n-roses-manager-slams-ny-times-over-rubbish-chinese-democracy-article/|archive-date=September 24, 2015|url-status=live|access-date=November 17, 2007}}</ref> At one point, the band was using a budget of almost $250,000 a month.<ref name="babd" /> Rose said the expense would be negated by the recording sessions yielding multiple albums.<ref name="Axlspeaks" /> {{blockquote|To say the making of this album has been an unbearably long and incomprehensible journey would be an understatement. Overcoming the endless and seemingly insanity of the obstacles faced by all involved, not withstanding the emotional challenges endured by everyone—the fans, the band, our road crew and business team—has at many times seemed like a bad dream in which one wakes up only to find they are still in the nightmare.|Axl Rose<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.today.com/popculture/long-awaited-guns-n-roses-album-hits-snags-wbna16269526|title=Long-awaited Guns N' Roses album hits snags|date=December 18, 2006|website=TODAY.com}}</ref>}} ==== Buckethead exits and ''Greatest Hits'' ==== On March 17, 2004, Buckethead quit and Guns N' Roses canceled their planned resumption of the tour.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1485811/bucketheads-hand-puppet-says-goodbye-to-guns-n-roses/|title=Buckethead's Hand Puppet Says Goodbye To Guns N' Roses|first=Jon|last=Wiederhorn|date=March 17, 2004|work=MTV|access-date=April 23, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150625230435/http://www.mtv.com/news/1485811/bucketheads-hand-puppet-says-goodbye-to-guns-n-roses/|archive-date=June 25, 2015}}</ref> They released a statement saying that Buckethead had been "inconsistent and erratic in both his behavior and his commitment... His transient lifestyle has made it near impossible to have nearly any form of communications with him whatsoever."<ref name=":2" /> Rose then released a statement saying that they hoped "to announce a release date within the next few months".<ref>{{cite book|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UAUQ04BGfpUC&pg=PA29|title=SPIN|last=Montgomery|first=James|date=June 2004|publisher=SPIN Media LLC|pages=29–|chapter=Axl kicks the Bucket|issn=0886-3032|access-date=August 17, 2015}}</ref> Stinson said in September that the album would be in the mastering stages by November 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/guns-n-roses-bassist-hopes-new-album-will-be-completed-this-fall/|title=Guns N' Roses Bassist Hopes New Album Will Be Completed This Fall|date=September 15, 2004|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|first=Borivoj |last=Krgin|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924143324/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/guns-n-roses-bassist-hopes-new-album-will-be-completed-this-fall/|archive-date=September 24, 2015|url-status=live|access-date=August 18, 2015}}</ref> Later that week, Geffen released Guns N' Roses' ''[[Greatest Hits (Guns N' Roses album)|Greatest Hits]]'' since Rose had failed to deliver an album.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/buckethead-quits-gnr-79508/|title=Buckethead Quits Gn'R|first=Marc W.|last=Dolech|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=March 19, 2004}}</ref>{{efn|The label compiled the album without any input from current or former members of the band, Rose was joined by former bandmates Slash and Duff McKagan in unsuccessfully suing the label to prevent its release.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/report-guns-n-roses-may-sue-to-block-greatest-hits-album/|title=Report: Guns N' Roses may sue to block 'Greatest Hits' album|first=Borivoj|last=Krgin|date=February 18, 2004|work=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=February 14, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214153112/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/report-guns-n-roses-may-sue-to-block-greatest-hits-album/|archive-date=February 14, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2005/aug/27/arts.artsnews|title=Band turn legal guns on Axl's cash|date=August 26, 2005|newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref>}} ===Tour resumes, more lineup changes=== Buckethead was replaced by [[Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal]] and touring resumed in May 2006. According to Bumblefoot around this time, the album was "pretty far along. Everything was written, and a lot of things were recorded...there were still more guitar tracks to be done... [the album was roughly] eighty to eighty-five percent [complete]."<ref>{{cite news |last=Gray |first=Robert |url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/interviews/hit_the_lights/bumblefoot_chinese_democracy_is_gnrs_white_album_the_beatles.html |title=Bumblefoot: 'Chinese Democracy' Is GN'R's 'White Album' (The Beatles)' |work=[[Ultimate Guitar]] |date=February 6, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100208035815/http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/interviews/hit_the_lights/bumblefoot_chinese_democracy_is_gnrs_white_album_the_beatles.html |archive-date=February 8, 2010 |access-date=January 16, 2025 }}</ref> Bumblefoot added guitar to the album between tour legs throughout the year.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.live-metal.net/interviews_bumblefoot.html |title=In Search of ... Bumblefoot |date=May 11, 2008 |website=Live-Metal.net |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120422151613/http://www.live-metal.net/interviews_bumblefoot.html|archive-date=April 22, 2012}}</ref> Bumblefoot wrote guitar parts for every song, tried hundreds of ideas, and contributed [[fretless guitar]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.metalfan.ro/en/interviuri/ron-bubmblefoot-thal-guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy-such-a-unique-album-5825.html|title=Ron 'Bumblefoot' Thal (GUNS N'ROSES): Chinese Democracy, such a unique album|last=Klawz|first=H.|date=May 21, 2012|website=MetalFan.ro|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709055608/http://www.metalfan.ro/en/interviuri/ron-bubmblefoot-thal-guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy-such-a-unique-album-5825.html|archive-date=July 9, 2018}}</ref> Bumblefoot said that working with such densely layered songs was a challenge, "..you go into a higher range, so you don't clash with it, and then it's, like, 'Oh, wait. There's that synth thing...' Or you go lower, and it's, like, 'Ah, it's kind of getting eaten up by the rhythms and the bass', so it was a challenge to find the right place."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/bumblefoot-looks-back-on-making-of-guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy |title=BUMBLEFOOT Looks Back On Making Of GUNS N' ROSES' 'Chinese Democracy' |publisher=Blabbermouth |date=March 18, 2021 |accessdate=May 28, 2022 }}</ref> For adding his contributions to the album, he said "I'd spend 14 hours each day hearing songs for the first time, and would experiment with different ideas and directions – fretless, fretted, wah, clean, heavy, bluesy, melody, rhythmic, technical. I wrote my own parts, never copied or re-played anyone else's, we'd mute other tracks and I'd create my own parts. 100 tracks for a song, with two people yelling opposite directions in my ear at the same time. In the end [producer] Caram [Costanzo] and Axl would decide want they feel was best for the songs."<reF>{{cite web |last= |first= |date= January 7, 2014|title=ExactMusic.fr - Ron 'Bumblefoot' Thal Interview|url=https://www.a-4-d.com/t7437-2014-01-07-exactmusic-fr-ron-bumblefoot-thal-interview#28703 |website=ExactMusic.Fr |location=France |access-date=January 16, 2025}}</reF> [[File:Ron Thal 2013.jpg|thumb|left|Guitarist [[Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal]] joined the band in 2006.]] [[Brain (musician)|Brain]] left the band in July 2006 to help take care of his newborn daughter.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Greene |first=Andy |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/bryan-brain-mantia-guns-n-roses-tom-waits-primus-1388363/ |title=Bryan 'Brain' Mantia Was There for Guns N' Roses' Most Unpredictable Era. Here's What It Was Really Like |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=August 4, 2022 |access-date=January 16, 2025 }}</ref> [[Frank Ferrer]] was brought in to replace Brain and added new drum tracks.<ref name="moderndrum" /><ref name="moderndrum2">{{Cite journal |last=Tolleson |first=Robin |date=March 2009 |title=Guns 'N' Roses' Bryan "Brain" Mantia |url=https://www.moderndrummer.com/2009/03/bryan-brain-mantia/ |journal=[[Modern Drummer]] |quote=Axl is really interested in having everybody bring what they do into the picture. I just did a remix of 'Shackler's Revenge'—made it kind of more club. And I think he wants to put out a remix album of some of the other songs we did. |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110174453/https://www.moderndrummer.com/2009/03/bryan-brain-mantia/ |archive-date=January 10, 2018 }}</ref> Ferrer said: "I did a few tracks with Brain and he told me to just make the songs my own. It wasn't so much conscious writing as focusing on how the music made me feel and not overthinking it." According to Ferrer, he is the only drummer on the title track; the rest of the album features drums by Brain and Ferrer, using Freese's arrangements.<ref name="moderndrum">{{Cite web |last=Blaine |first=Jamie |date=January 2017 |title=January 2017: Modern Drummer interviews Frank Ferrer |url=https://www.moderndrummer.com/article/january-2017-frank-ferrer/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618230507/https://www.moderndrummer.com/article/january-2017-frank-ferrer/ |archive-date=June 18, 2018 |work=[[Modern Drummer]]}}</ref> Ferrer plays on five tracks on the album.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/guns-n-roses-drummer-frank-ferrer-discusses-challenges-of-playing-songs-recorded-by-steven-adler-matt-sorum |title=GUNS N' ROSES Drummer FRANK FERRER Discusses Challenges Of Playing Songs Recorded By STEVEN ADLER, MATT SORUM |work=Blabbermouth |date=May 17, 2020 }}</ref> Rose held listening parties in several New York bars in 2006, showcasing ten new songs.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2328/new_guns_n_roses_chinese_democracy/news/ |title=New Guns N' Roses – Chinese Democracy |last=Lapatine |first=Scott |date=February 19, 2006 |website=[[Stereogum]]}}</ref> In October 2006, ''Rolling Stone'' said the album had a "firm" release date of November 21, 2006.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2006/10/05/holy-eff-chinese-democracy-finally-gets-a-release-date-maybe/|title=Holy Eff! Guns N' Roses' "Chinese Democracy" Out November 21st?|date=October 5, 2006|magazine=Rolling Stone|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061022235338/http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2006/10/05/holy-eff-chinese-democracy-finally-gets-a-release-date-maybe/|archive-date=October 22, 2006|url-status=dead|access-date=June 7, 2018}}</ref> According to ''Rolling Stone'', engineer [[Andy Wallace (producer)|Andy Wallace]], who had worked with Nirvana, [[Sepultura]], [[Slayer]], and [[Bad Religion]], was working on the album that year.<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/exclusive-more-juicy-chinese-democracy-tidbits-20061018 |title=Exclusive: More Juicy "Chinese Democracy" Tidbits |date=October 18, 2006 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625021714/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/exclusive-more-juicy-chinese-democracy-tidbits-20061018 |first=Brian|last=Hiatt |archive-date=June 25, 2018 }}</ref> Stinson said that most of the album had been recorded collaboratively in 2001, and had been "pretty much done" since then.<ref name="rec" /> Dizzy Reed attributed the album's delay to a lack of "deadline or [...] pressure" in a 2006 interview.<ref name="DizzyInt" /> On December 14, on the Guns N' Roses website, Rose announced the cancellation of four shows, citing the need for more time to work on ''Chinese Democracy''. He also announced that the band had ended their relationship with Mercuriadis, and announced a tentative release date of March 6, 2007; it was the first time the band had publicly given a release date.<ref name="Axl's open letter">{{cite web|url=http://www.newgnr.com/articles/axlletter121506.html|title=An open letter from Axl Rose|last=Rose|first=W. Axl|author-link=Axl Rose|date=December 14, 2006|publisher=GunsNRoses.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071129211331/http://www.newgnr.com/articles/axlletter121506.html|archive-date=November 29, 2007|url-status=dead|access-date=December 20, 2007}}</ref><ref name="Merck's letter">{{cite web| url = http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/former-guns-n-roses-manager-i-believe-in-axl-rose/| title = Former Guns N' Roses Manager: 'I Believe In Axl Rose'| access-date = December 22, 2007| date = December 15, 2006|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|first=Borivoj |last=Krgin| url-status = live| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160108203520/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/former-guns-n-roses-manager-i-believe-in-axl-rose/| archive-date = January 8, 2016| df = mdy-all}}</ref> In an interview held during the launch party for [[Korn]]'s 2006 tour, Rose told ''Rolling Stone'' that ''Chinese Democracy'' was a "complex record", with Queen-like arrangements, and that he expected some fans to complain about the new direction.<ref name="RS2006-01-13">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/9155514/axl_rose_breaks_his_silence/ |title=Axl Rose Breaks His Silence |access-date=August 6, 2015 |last=Baltin |first=Steve |date=January 17, 2006 |magazine=Rolling Stone |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060208021431/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/9155514/axl_rose_breaks_his_silence/ |archive-date=February 8, 2006 }}</ref> In a 2006 ''Rolling Stone'' article, former [[Skid Row (American band)|Skid Row]] frontman [[Sebastian Bach]] described ''Chinese Democracy'' as "epic" and "mind-blowing": "It's a very cool album—it's badass with killer screams, killer guitar riffs, but it's got a totally modern sound. The word for it is 'grand.' It's fucking epic. [Axl has] reinvented himself yet again."<ref name="DiS-Bach">{{cite web|url=http://drownedinsound.com/news/1258736-new-g-nr-album--almost-like-doom-metal|title=New G'nR album: "almost like doom metal"|publisher=Drowned in Sound|last=Diver|first=Mike|date=September 30, 2006|access-date=November 17, 2007|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110814073611/http://drownedinsound.com/news/1258736-new-g-nr-album--almost-like-doom-metal|archive-date=August 14, 2011}}</ref> Bach also described the album as having "the rawness and the power of ''Appetite for Destruction'', but it also has the grandiosity of 'November Rain'."<ref name="RS-2007-09-26">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2007/09/26/proof-axl-rose-does-go-to-the-studio-photo-with-sebastian-bach/ |title=Proof Axl Rose Does Go to the Studio: Photo With Sebastian Bach |access-date=August 6, 2015 |date=September 26, 2007 |magazine=Rolling Stone |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071028103539/http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2007/09/26/proof-axl-rose-does-go-to-the-studio-photo-with-sebastian-bach/ |archive-date=October 28, 2007 }}</ref> Rose said in 2006 that Guns N' Roses had 32 songs in development,<ref name="RS2006-01-13" /> with Bach later confirming that Rose told him ''Chinese Democracy'' would be the first in a trilogy of albums.<ref name="Bach">{{Cite web |date=November 5, 2007 |title=SEBASTIAN BACH: The World's Not Prepared For What I've Heard From AXL ROSE |url=http://blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=84208 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071213174431/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=84208 |archive-date=December 13, 2007 |access-date=December 31, 2018 |website=[[Metal Edge]] |df=mdy-all}}</ref> Rose later in 2008 confirmed the working titles of 10 songs from the upcoming unreleased albums.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalsucks.net/2008/12/12/axl-rose-finally-promotes-chinese-democracy-sort-of/|title=Axl Rose finally promotes Chinese Democracy... sort of|last=Rosenberg|first=Axl|date=December 12, 2008|work=[[MetalSucks]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151121092156/http://www.metalsucks.net/2008/12/12/axl-rose-finally-promotes-chinese-democracy-sort-of/|archive-date=November 21, 2015|url-status=live|access-date=August 10, 2015}}</ref> (see [[#Unused tracks and follow-up album|§ Unused tracks and follow-up album]]) === Final sessions === [[File:SebastianBach.JPG|thumb|alt=A middle-aged Caucasian man with long, blond hair and tattoos on his right shoulder wearing a sleeveless khaki shirt sings into a microphone. |Former [[Skid Row (American band)|Skid Row]] vocalist [[Sebastian Bach]] recorded vocals on the song "Sorry".]]Rose recorded the final vocal tracks in January 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/axl-rose-putting-final-vocals-down-for-chinese-democracy/|title=Axl Rose Putting 'Final' Vocals Down For 'Chinese Democracy'|date=January 8, 2007|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|first=Borivoj |last=Krgin|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924114736/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/axl-rose-putting-final-vocals-down-for-chinese-democracy/|archive-date=September 24, 2015|url-status=live|access-date=August 18, 2015}}</ref> On February 22, 2007, the band's road manager [[Del James]] issued a press release stating there was no official release date but that recording had ended and [[Audio mixing (recorded music)|mixing]] had begun.<ref name="DelJames">{{cite web|url=http://web.gunsnroses.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070222&content_id=a1&vkey=news&fext=.jsp|title=''Chinese Democracy'' update|last=James|first=Del|author-link=Del James|date=February 22, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011101935/http://web.gunsnroses.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070222&content_id=a1&vkey=news&fext=.jsp|archive-date=October 11, 2007|url-status=dead|access-date=January 12, 2008}}</ref> In a 2007 interview, Sebastian Bach said Rose had planned to have the album released by Christmas 2007 and that the delays might have been caused by business problems.<ref name="Bach interview – RMM">{{cite web|url=http://www.rockmymonkey.com/interviews/07/11/SebastianBach.php|title=Rock My Monkey – Sebastian Bach Interview|publisher=Rock My Monkey|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071202114624/http://www.rockmymonkey.com/interviews/07/11/SebastianBach.php|archive-date=December 2, 2007|url-status=dead|access-date=December 22, 2007}}</ref> In January 2007, Bach recorded backing vocals for "Sorry" at [[Electric Lady Studios]].<ref name="blabbermouth">{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/exclusive-sebastian-bach-s-new-album-to-feature-guest-appearance-by-axl-rose/|title=Sebastian Bach's new album to feature guest appearance by Axl Rose|date=August 20, 2007|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|first=Borivoj |last=Krgin|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150611005635/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/exclusive-sebastian-bach-s-new-album-to-feature-guest-appearance-by-axl-rose/|archive-date=June 11, 2015|url-status=live|access-date=November 17, 2007}}</ref> He described the song as "almost like [[doom metal]] with Axl singing really clean over this grinding, slow beat that is fucking mean, I cannot get it out of my head."<ref name="DiS-Bach" /> Harpist Patti Hood, who had worked with Pitman on the album ''[[Free Mars]]'', and conductor Suzy Katayama also recorded parts.<ref name="patti hood">{{cite web|url=http://pattihood.net/html/resume.html|title=Patti Hood Resume|publisher=Patti Hood|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071213022045/http://www.pattihood.net/html/resume.html|archive-date=December 13, 2007|url-status=live|access-date=December 22, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/harpist-interviewed-about-her-work-on-gn-r-chinese-democracy-audio-available/|title=Harpist Interviewed About Her Work On GN'R' 'Chinese Democracy'; Audio Available|date=December 17, 2008|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|first=Borivoj |last=Krgin|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619213751/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/harpist-interviewed-about-her-work-on-gn-r-chinese-democracy-audio-available/|archive-date=June 19, 2018}}</ref> In January 2008, rumors arose that ''Chinese Democracy'' had been handed to Geffen but was delayed because the label and Rose could not agree on the marketing.<ref name="antimusic">{{cite web|url=http://www.antimusic.com/news/08/jan/10GNR_Finish_CD.shtml|title=GNR Finish CD?|work=antiMusic|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080115054441/http://www.antimusic.com/news/08/jan/10GNR_Finish_CD.shtml|archive-date=January 15, 2008|url-status=live|access-date=January 14, 2008}}</ref> Radio host Eddie Trunk said Geffen might have the album and that delays were due to financial reasons.<ref name="Eddie Trunk blog">{{Cite web|url=http://www.eddietrunk.com/blog.php|title=Eddie Trunk Blog|last=Trunk|first=Eddie|author-link=Eddie Trunk|date=January 11, 2008|website=EddieTrunk.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080209195640/http://www.eddietrunk.com/blog.php|archive-date=February 9, 2008|url-status=dead|access-date=June 7, 2018}}</ref> However, in a February 2008 interview with [[Classic Rock (magazine)|''Classic Rock'']], Rose's manager Beta Lebeis dismissed Trunk's suggestion and said they were in negotiations with the label.<ref name="Classic Rock article 2008">{{cite web|url=http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/page/classicrock?entry=it_s_a_fact|title=It's a Fact|last=Barton|first=Geoff|date=January 22, 2008|work=Classic Rock Magazine|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080802061244/http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/page/classicrock?entry=it_s_a_fact|archive-date=August 2, 2008|url-status=dead|access-date=February 9, 2008}}</ref> With a wealth of material to select from, Rose was solely responsible for track selection and sequencing of the album.<ref name="TMP">''Talking Metal Podcast: Chris Pitman'' hosted by Mark Strigl. November 16, 2008</ref> Stinson said that Jimmy Iovine "pulled the record out of Axl's hand at the fucking 11:30th hour" saying "He was this close to being able to sign off on that fucking thing, and they pulled it just before he was completely ready to be going 'I'm done with it', it was just a little too quick on that."<ref>{{cite news |last=Brannigan |first=Paul |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/guns-n-roses-tommy-stinson-on-axl-rose-chinese-democracy-punk-rock |title="It was a crazy, beautiful mess": ex-Guns N' Roses bassist Tommy Stinson on Axl Rose, Chinese Democracy and why keeping GN'R alive without Slash, Duff and Izzy was pure "punk rock" |work=Classic Rock |publisher=[[Future plc]] |date=September 26, 2023 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230927084647/https://www.loudersound.com/news/guns-n-roses-tommy-stinson-on-axl-rose-chinese-democracy-punk-rock |archivedate=September 27, 2023 }}</ref> According to Bumblefoot, the band and producer Caram Costanzo (who joined in 2003) spent 14 hours a day working on the album.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://rockandrollgarage.com/bumblefoot-says-guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy-work-art/|title=Bumblefoot says that Guns N' Roses' Chinese Democracy is a work of art|date=January 16, 2018|website=Rock And Roll Garage|first=Romania|last=Timișoara|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709055603/http://rockandrollgarage.com/bumblefoot-says-guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy-work-art/|archive-date=July 9, 2018}}</ref> Producers who worked on the album included [[Bob Ezrin]], [[Eric Caudieux]], Sean Beavan,<ref name="MTV-Stinson">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1488293/gnr-bassist-works-solo-while-awaiting-chinese-democracy/|title=GN'R bassist works solo while awaiting Chinese Democracy|last=Wiederhorn|first=Jon|date=June 9, 2004|publisher=MTV|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150616204905/http://www.mtv.com/news/1488293/gnr-bassist-works-solo-while-awaiting-chinese-democracy/|archive-date=June 16, 2015|url-status=dead|access-date=November 17, 2007}}</ref> and [[Tim Palmer (record producer)|Tim Palmer]].<ref name="HowDidIGetHere">{{cite web|url=http://howdidigethere.podbean.com/e/episode-27-tim-palmer-producermixer/|title=Episode 27: Tim Palmer – producer/mixer|date=November 30, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722071741/http://howdidigethere.podbean.com/e/episode-27-tim-palmer-producermixer/|archive-date=July 22, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Rose and Caram Costanzo are the producers credited on the finished album, with Baker, Caudieux, Beavan, and Pitman credited with additional production.<ref name="fiveyears" /><ref name="CDCredits"/> The band used 15 studios during production, including [[Capitol Studios]], [[Cherokee Studios]], Electric Lady Studios, [[Sunset Sound Recorders]], and [[The Village (studio)|The Village]].<ref name="CDCredits"/> Mastering engineer [[Bob Ludwig]] offered three versions of the album for approval. Rose and Costanzo selected the version without [[dynamic range compression]] to avoid being involved in the ongoing [[loudness war]].<ref name="Ludwig 2008">{{cite web|url=http://www.gatewaymastering.com/gateway_LoudnessWars.asp|title=Guns 'N Roses: Dynamics and quality win the Loudness Wars|last=Ludwig|first=Bob|author-link=Bob Ludwig|date=November 25, 2008|work=Loudness Wars|publisher=Gateway Mastering|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120524145107/http://www.gatewaymastering.com/gateway_LoudnessWars.asp|archive-date=May 24, 2012|url-status=dead|access-date=March 29, 2010}}</ref> Ludwig wrote: "I was floored when I heard they decided to go with my full dynamics version and the loudness-for-loudness-sake versions be damned ... The fan and press backlash against the recent heavily compressed recordings finally set the context for someone to take a stand and return to putting music and dynamics above sheer level."<ref name="Ludwig 2008" /> ==Release and promotion== [[File:Chinese Democracy advertisement.jpg|thumb|left|Street advertisement, 2008]] On September 14, 2008, the track "[[Shackler's Revenge]]" was included in the music game ''[[Rock Band 2]]'', the first official release of new Guns N' Roses material since 1999's "Oh My God".<ref name="shackler's">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2008/08/14/guns-n-roses-shacklers-revenge-hits-the-web/ |title=New Guns n' Roses Leak: "Shackler's Revenge" |last=Steffen|first=Chris|access-date=August 6, 2015 |date=August 14, 2008 |magazine=Rolling Stone |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080816233518/http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2008/08/14/guns-n-roses-shacklers-revenge-hits-the-web/ |archive-date=August 16, 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/10988/guns_n_roses_shacklers_revenge_set_for_rock_band_2/news/|title=Guns N' Roses' "Shackler's Revenge" Set For Rock Band 2|first=Scott|last=Lapatine|date=July 13, 2008|work=Stereogum|access-date=April 23, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150505081438/http://www.stereogum.com/10988/guns_n_roses_shacklers_revenge_set_for_rock_band_2/news/|archive-date=May 5, 2015}}</ref>{{efn|The entire album was made available for the game on April 14, 2009, as [[downloadable content]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy-coming-to-rock-band-april-14th-20090410|title=Guns n' Roses' "Chinese Democracy" Coming To "Rock Band"|first=Daniel|last= Kreps|date=April 10, 2009|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=April 23, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150505081255/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy-coming-to-rock-band-april-14th-20090410|archive-date=May 5, 2015}}</ref>}} It was followed by "If the World", which plays during the closing credits of the 2008 film ''[[Body of Lies (film)|Body of Lies]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/exclusive-guns-n-roses-premiering-new-song-if-the-world-in-body-of-lies-release-date-reserved-20080926|title=Guns n' Roses Premiering New Song "If the World" in "Body of Lies" movie – Rolling Stone|date=September 26, 2008|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=April 29, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150505084307/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/exclusive-guns-n-roses-premiering-new-song-if-the-world-in-body-of-lies-release-date-reserved-20080926|archive-date=May 5, 2015}}</ref> On October 9, ''Billboard'' announced November 23, 2008, as the firm release date for ''Chinese Democracy''.<ref name="Billboard">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1043827/gnrs-chinese-democracy-gets-release-date|title=GNR's 'Chinese Democracy' Gets Release Date|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|last=Cohen|first=Jonathan|author-link=Jonathan Cohen (television executive)|access-date=October 9, 2008|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530053231/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1043827/gnrs-chinese-democracy-gets-release-date|archive-date=May 30, 2013}}</ref> In the US, the retail release was sold exclusively through [[Best Buy]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2008/10/chinese-democracyem-goes-best-buy-exclusive.html |title= GNR's Chinese Democracy goes Best-Buy exclusive |last=Saba |first=Michael |date=October 2, 2008 |website=[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081104062908/https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2008/10/chinese-democracyem-goes-best-buy-exclusive.html |archive-date=November 4, 2008 |url-status=live |access-date=June 7, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB122939389438809445|title=At Best Buy, an Album Sounds a Sour Sales Note|first=Miguel Bustillo and Ethan|last=Smith|newspaper=Wall Street Journal |date=December 16, 2008|via=www.wsj.com}}</ref> The first single, "[[Chinese Democracy (song)|Chinese Democracy]]", was released on October 22, 2008.<ref name="single release">{{cite magazine| url = https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1043712/new-guns-n-roses-single-hits-radio-tomorrow|last=Cohen|first=Jonathan|author-link=Jonathan Cohen (television executive)|title =New Guns N' Roses Single Hits Radio Tomorrow| access-date = October 22, 2008| date = October 22, 2008| magazine = [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]| url-status = live| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150609042956/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1043712/new-guns-n-roses-single-hits-radio-tomorrow| archive-date = June 9, 2015| df = mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1597641/guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy-makes-radio-debut/|title=Guns N' Roses' 'Chinese Democracy' Makes Radio Debut|date=October 22, 2008|last=Harris|first=Chris|work=[[MTV News]]|access-date=November 23, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108203520/http://www.mtv.com/news/1597641/guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy-makes-radio-debut/|archive-date=January 8, 2016}}</ref> It was debuted on the [[Opie and Anthony]] show broadcast by [[KROQ-FM]]. Ad spots referencing the then-upcoming [[2008 United States presidential election]] began airing in early November.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy-tv-spots-start-airing-179684|title=Guns N' Roses Chinese Democracy TV spots start airing|first=Joe|last=Bosso|date=November 3, 2008|website=MusicRadar}}</ref> "[[Better (Guns N' Roses song)|Better]]" was released as a [[Promo single#Promo single|promo single]] on November 17, 2008,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hardrockhideout.com/2008/11/17/guns-n-roses-release-a-better-new-single/|title=Guns N' Roses Release A "Better" New Singlet|date=November 17, 2008|last=Rockitt|first=Rob|work=Hard Rock Hideout|access-date=November 23, 2015}}</ref> followed by "[[Street of Dreams (Guns N' Roses song)|Street of Dreams]]" in March 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.rockstarweekly.com/content/view/1278/149/ |title=New Guns N' Roses Song On The Canadian Charts |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091214073320/http://www.rockstarweekly.com/content/view/1278/149/ |archive-date=December 14, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> {{blockquote|It's the right record and I couldn't ask for more. Could have been a more enjoyable journey, but it's there now. The art comes first.|Axl Rose<ref name=nosympy/>}} Several days before its release, the band streamed the album on their [[Myspace]] page.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2008-11-20-chinese-democracy_N.htm|title='Chinese Democracy' begins streaming on MySpace|date=November 20, 2008|work=[[USA Today]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701214514/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2008-11-20-chinese-democracy_N.htm|archive-date=July 1, 2017|url-status=live|access-date=April 29, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-myspace/mccartney-guns-n-roses-albums-to-launch-on-myspace-idUSTRE4AJ08G20081120|title=McCartney, Guns N' Roses albums to launch on MySpace|first=Robert|last=MacMillan|date=November 20, 2008|work=Reuters|access-date=March 19, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418140311/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-myspace/mccartney-guns-n-roses-albums-to-launch-on-myspace-idUSTRE4AJ08G20081120|archive-date=April 18, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.virgin.com/news/guns-n-roses-album-chinese-democracy-streams-myspace |title=Guns N' Roses album Chinese Democracy streams on MySpace |website=Virgin.com |publisher=Virgin Media |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703055308/http://www.virgin.com/news/guns-n-roses-album-chinese-democracy-streams-myspace |archive-date=July 3, 2015 |url-status=dead |access-date=April 30, 2015}}</ref> It was streamed over 3 million times, breaking the Myspace record for the most streamed album ever.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/guns-n-roses-248-1335903|title=Guns N' Roses' 'Chinese Democracy' breaks MySpace record|first=Ryan|last=Jarman|date=November 21, 2008|work=NME.COM|access-date=March 19, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170711023334/http://www.nme.com/news/music/guns-n-roses-248-1335903|archive-date=July 11, 2017}}</ref> Band managers [[Irving Azoff]] and Andy Gould wrote in early November: "The release of ''Chinese Democracy'' marks a historic moment in rock 'n' roll. We're launching with a monumental campaign... that matches the groundbreaking sound of the album itself."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy-commercial-to-air-during-monday-night-football/|title=GUNS N' ROSES: 'Chinese Democracy' Commercial To Air During 'Monday Night Football'|date=November 3, 2008|website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET}}</ref> The band announced a new leg of the [[Chinese Democracy Tour]] in March 2009, which lasted from December 2009 until December 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/03/04/guns-n-roses-planning-summer-stadium-tour/|title=Guns n' Roses Planning Summer Stadium Tour|date=March 4, 2009|website=Rollingstone.com|publisher=[[Jann Wenner|Wenner Media LLC]] |access-date=April 30, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090509190033/http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/03/04/guns-n-roses-planning-summer-stadium-tour/ |archive-date= May 9, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> Finck left before the tour to rejoin Nine Inch Nails; he was replaced by [[DJ Ashba]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://web.gunsnroses.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090321&content_id=a1&vkey=news&fext=.jsp|title=Guns N' Roses Names DJ Ashba as Band's Newest Axeman|date=March 21, 2009|website=GunsNRoses.com|publisher=Guns N' Roses |access-date=April 30, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090627025739/http://web.gunsnroses.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090321&content_id=a1&vkey=news&fext=.jsp |archive-date=June 27, 2009 |url-status= dead}}</ref> A [[guitar tab]] book of the album was released in December 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bravewords.com/news/guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy-guitar-tab-book-available-this-month|title=GUNS N' ROSES – Chinese Democracy Guitar Tab Book Available This Month|last=bravewords.com|date=December 17, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713172629/http://bravewords.com/news/guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy-guitar-tab-book-available-this-month|archive-date=July 13, 2018}}</ref> ''Chinese Democracy'' [[Censorship in China|was banned in China]] because of perceived criticism in its title track of the [[Government of China|Chinese government]] and a reference to [[Falun Gong]].<ref>{{cite news|date=November 24, 2008|title=內地封殺 GN'R 唱片|language=zh|trans-title=Mainland blocked GN'R album|work=[[Apple Daily]]|publisher=[[Next Media]]|location=China|url=http://hk.apple.nextmedia.com/news/art/20081124/11883296|url-status=live|access-date=June 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626140806/http://hk.apple.nextmedia.com/news/art/20081124/11883296|archive-date=June 26, 2015}}</ref> The [[Chinese Communist Party]] said through media that it "turns its spear point on China".<ref>{{cite news|last=Johnston|first=Laura|date=November 24, 2008|title=Chinese media calls Guns 'N Roses 'Chinese Democracy' an attack|publisher=NYDaily News|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music-arts/chinese-media-calls-guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy-attack-article-1.334957|url-status=live|access-date=November 24, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522032101/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music-arts/chinese-media-calls-guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy-attack-article-1.334957|archive-date=May 22, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Bodeen|first=Christopher|date=November 25, 2008|title=Rock album 'an attack on China'|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|location=London|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/rock-album-an-attack-on-china-1033811.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 25, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090223155007/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/rock-album-an-attack-on-china-1033811.html|archive-date=February 23, 2009}}</ref> ===Disputes with label and management=== After the album's release, Rose did not appear in public for several months and did not respond to calls from label Geffen to promote the album.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/3541076/Axl-Rose-absence-blamed-for-failure-of-Chinese-Democracy-to-hit-top-spot.html |title=Axl Rose absence blamed for failure of Chinese Democracy to hit top spot |last=Bingham |first=John |date=December 2, 2008 |website=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171001161901/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/3541076/Axl-Rose-absence-blamed-for-failure-of-Chinese-Democracy-to-hit-top-spot.html |archive-date=October 1, 2017 |url-status=live |access-date=June 7, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.gigwise.com/news/47920/ |title=AWOL Axl Rose Blamed For Poor Guns N' Roses Album Sales |last=Gregory |first=Jason |date=December 2, 2008 |website=Gigwise.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180608035037/https://www.gigwise.com/news/47920/ |archive-date=June 8, 2018 |url-status=live |access-date=June 7, 2018}}</ref> On December 12, Rose answered questions and posted statements regarding the record, former bandmates, and tour plans on several Guns N' Roses fan forums.<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2008/12/15/axl-rose-posts-about-keeping-the-gnr-name-in-new-message-board-chats/ |title=Axl Rose Posts About Keeping the Gn'R Name in New Message Board Chats |last=Kreps |first=Daniel |date=December 15, 2008 |magazine=Rolling STone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081217163840/https://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2008/12/15/axl-rose-posts-about-keeping-the-gnr-name-in-new-message-board-chats/ |archive-date=December 17, 2008 |url-status=dead |access-date=June 7, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/did-axl-rose-swindle-guns-n-roses-and-steal-slashs-song-a-guide-to-roses-online-rants-20081215 |title=Did Axl Rose Swindle Guns n' Roses and Steal Slash's Song? |last=Greene |first=Andy |date=December 15, 2008 |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111201234733/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/did-axl-rose-swindle-guns-n-roses-and-steal-slashs-song-a-guide-to-roses-online-rants-20081215 |archive-date=December 1, 2011 |url-status=live |access-date=June 7, 2018}}</ref><ref name="chat"/> On February 9, 2009, in his first official interview since the release, Rose said he had "no information for me to believe there was any real involvement or effort from Interscope".<ref name=nosympy>{{Cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/feb/09/axl-rose-chinese-democracy-interview |title=Guns N' Roses' Axl Rose: I have no sympathy for the record industry |last=Michaels |first=Sean |date=February 9, 2009 |website=The Guardian |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924173239/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/feb/09/axl-rose-chinese-democracy-interview |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |url-status=live |access-date=June 7, 2018}}</ref> In a 2018 look back, ''Billboard'' decried the marketing for the album, stating: "The most anticipated rock record in history was murdered by a thousand different jabs and body shots, including artwork the artist wasn't committed to, but the colossal marketing blunder was the [[Mike Tyson|Tyson]]-esque knockout punch."<ref name="CD2018"/> In May 2010, Azoff's company Front Line Management sued Rose over unpaid concert fees.<ref>{{cite web|last=Montgomery|first=James|date=March 26, 2010|title=Axl Rose Sued By Management Company For Nearly $2 Million|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1634771/axl-rose-sued-by-management-company-for-nearly-2-million/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518083534/http://www.mtv.com/news/1634771/axl-rose-sued-by-management-company-for-nearly-2-million/|archive-date=May 18, 2015|access-date=April 23, 2015|work=[[MTV News]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|date=March 26, 2010|title=Axl Rose Sued By Manager For Nearly $2 Million|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/958831/axl-rose-sued-by-manager-for-nearly-2-million#/news/axl-rose-sued-by-manager-for-nearly-2-million-1004078635.story|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150515171218/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/958831/axl-rose-sued-by-manager-for-nearly-2-million#/news/axl-rose-sued-by-manager-for-nearly-2-million-1004078635.story|archive-date=May 15, 2015|access-date=April 23, 2015|magazine=Billboard}}</ref><ref name="azoff">{{cite web|last=Gardner|first=Eriq|date=May 19, 2010|title=Axl Rose Slams Irving Azoff In $5 Million Countersuit|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/958191/axl-rose-slams-irving-azoff-in-5-million-countersuit|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925220805/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/958191/axl-rose-slams-irving-azoff-in-5-million-countersuit|archive-date=September 25, 2015|access-date=April 23, 2015|work=Billboard.com}}</ref> Rose filed a $5 million countersuit against Azoff claiming Azoff had "sabotaged" the ''Chinese Democracy'' release<ref name="EWsuit">{{cite web|last=Vozick-Levinson|first=Simon|date=May 19, 2010|title=Axl Rose sues former manager over alleged 'sabotage'|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2010/05/19/axl-rose-manager-lawsuit|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150505075458/http://www.ew.com/article/2010/05/19/axl-rose-manager-lawsuit|archive-date=May 5, 2015|access-date=April 23, 2015|work=Entertainment Weekly's EW.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Sisario|first=Ben|date=May 18, 2010|title=Axl Rose Sues His Former Manager for $5 Million|work=The New York Times|url=http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/18/axl-rose-sues-his-former-manager-for-5-million/?src=mv|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100524005311/http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/18/axl-rose-sues-his-former-manager-for-5-million/?src=mv|archive-date=May 24, 2010}}</ref> by "purposefully spoiling" the album art, "botching" a sales deal with Best Buy, and leaking songs online.<ref>{{cite web|last=Michaels|first=Sean|title=Axl Rose: Chinese Democracy was 'sabotaged' by former manager|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/may/20/axl-rose-chinese-democracy|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108203520/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/may/20/axl-rose-chinese-democracy|archive-date=January 8, 2016|access-date=July 26, 2015|work=the Guardian|date=May 20, 2010 }}</ref> Drummer [[Dave Abbruzzese]] said in a 2024 interview that the band's management told him executives planned for the album to fail to force Axl to reunite with Slash.<ref>{{cite news |last=Prato |first=Greg |url=https://www.songfacts.com/blog/interviews/dave-abbruzzese-ex-pearl-jam |title=Dave Abbruzzese (ex-Pearl Jam) |work=Songfacts.com |publisher=Songfacts, LLC |date=January 8, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110134440/https://www.songfacts.com/blog/interviews/dave-abbruzzese-ex-pearl-jam |archivedate=January 10, 2024 }}</ref> The lawsuit was settled in 2011.<ref>{{Cite web|date=June 14, 2011|title=Settlements Reached In Lawsuits Between Axl Rose And Former Manager|url=http://bhcourier.com/article/Local/Local/Settlements_Reached_In_Lawsuits_Between_Axl_Rose_And_Former_Manager/76718|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110620203651/http://bhcourier.com/article/Local/Local/Settlements_Reached_In_Lawsuits_Between_Axl_Rose_And_Former_Manager/76718|archive-date=June 20, 2011|access-date=June 7, 2018|website=[[The Beverly Hills Courier]]}}</ref> === Leaks === In February 2006, "I.R.S.", "[[Street of Dreams (Guns N' Roses song)|The Blues]]", "[[There Was a Time (Guns N' Roses song)|There Was a Time]]", "[[Better (Guns N' Roses song)|Better]]" and "Catcher in the Rye" leaked online.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2328/new_guns_n_roses_chinese_democracy/news/|title=New Guns N' Roses – Chinese Democracy|last=Lapatine|first=Scott|date=February 19, 2006|website=Stereogum|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625050156/https://www.stereogum.com/2328/new_guns_n_roses_chinese_democracy/news/|archive-date=June 25, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://bravewords.com/news/queen-guitarist-brian-may-featured-on-leaked-guns-n-roses-track|title=Queen Guitarist Brian May Featured on Leaked Guns N' Roses Track|date=March 3, 2006|website=Brave Words}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/guns-n-roses-another-new-song-makes-its-way-online/|title=GUNS N' ROSES: Another New Song Makes Its Way Online|date=February 17, 2006|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|first=Borivoj |last=Krgin|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625050446/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/guns-n-roses-another-new-song-makes-its-way-online/|archive-date=June 25, 2018}}</ref> The leaked version of "I.R.S." was aired frequently enough on various radio stations before the band's management intervened that it charted at #49 on the Radio & Records Active Rock National Airplay Chart for the week ending Feb. 24, 2006.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/1524776/are-guns-n-roses-finally-coming-back-the-signs-are-there/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214165051/http://www.mtv.com/news/1524776/are-guns-n-roses-finally-coming-back-the-signs-are-there/|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 14, 2015|title=Are Guns N' Roses Finally Coming Back? The Signs Are There ... |date=February 23, 2006|website=MTV.com}}</ref> In October, "Better" was inadvertently leaked by [[Harley-Davidson]] in an online ad.<ref name="hdad">{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/guns-n-roses-keyboardist-reveals-the-truth-about-the-leaked-song-better/|title=GUNS N' ROSES Keyboardist Reveals 'The Truth' About The Leaked Song 'Better'|date=March 13, 2007|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|first=Borivoj |last=Krgin|access-date=May 3, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150704055830/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/guns-n-roses-keyboardist-reveals-the-truth-about-the-leaked-song-better/|archive-date=July 4, 2015}}</ref> A "final version" was leaked in February 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.villagevoice.com/statusainthood/2007/02/new_guns_n_rose.php/|title=New Guns N Roses Song: Pretty Good!|first=Tom|last=Breihan|date=February 21, 2007|work=Status Ain't Hood|access-date=April 23, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150423104616/http://blogs.villagevoice.com/statusainthood/2007/02/new_guns_n_rose.php/|archive-date=April 23, 2015}}</ref> "Madagascar" was leaked in March 2007.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.metalsucks.net/2007/03/30/guns-n-roses-madagascar-leak/|title=Guns N' Roses "Magascar" Leak|last=Neilsten|first=Vince|date=March 30, 2007|work=[[Metalsucks]]|archive-date=July 9, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709042917/http://www.metalsucks.net/2007/03/30/guns-n-roses-madagascar-leak/}}</ref> In May 2007, [[Chinese Democracy (song)|the title track]] leaked,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2007/05/gnr_fkn_awsm.html|title=GNR: FCKN AWSM!|date=May 7, 2007|website=[[Vulture.com|Vulture]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915163309/http://www.vulture.com/2007/05/gnr_fkn_awsm.html|archive-date=September 15, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> and updated versions of "Chinese Democracy", "The Blues", "I.R.S." and "There Was a Time" were leaked by professional wrestler Mister Saint Laurent.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.metalsucks.net/2007/05/07/weekend-metal-update-3/|archive-date=September 14, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100914201123/http://www.metalsucks.net/2007/05/07/weekend-metal-update-3/|url-status=live|title=Weekend Metal Update|last=Neilsten|first=Vince|date=May 7, 2017|work=[[Metalsucks]]}}</ref> The final version of "[[Shackler's Revenge]]" leaked in August 2008.<ref name="shackler's" /> By the time ''Chinese Democracy'' was released, only 3 of the 14 songs had not been leaked or played live.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Cohen|first=Jonathan|author-link=Jonathan Cohen (television executive)|date=October 21, 2008|title=New Guns N' Roses Single Hits Radio Tomorrow|url=https://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003876113|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081023115015/http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003876113|archive-date=October 23, 2008|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|publisher=Prometheus Global Media}}</ref> In June 2008, five months before the album's release, music blogger Kevin Cogill streamed nine tracks on his website Antiquiet for "an hour or two".<ref>{{cite news|last=Cogill|first=Kevin "Swerl"|date=June 18, 2008|title=We've Got Chinese Democracy, And It's Worth The Wait|work=antiquiet|url=http://antiquiet.com/music/2008/06/weve-got-chinese-democracy-and-its-worth-the-wait/|url-status=live|access-date=September 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140619061835/http://antiquiet.com/music/2008/06/weve-got-chinese-democracy-and-its-worth-the-wait/|archive-date=June 19, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Neilstein|first=Vince|date=June 18, 2008|title=Nine new Guns N' Roses Chinese Democracy leaks|work=[[MetalSucks]]|url=http://www.metalsucks.net/2008/06/18/nine-new-guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy-leaks/|url-status=live|access-date=September 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207030303/http://www.metalsucks.net/2008/06/18/nine-new-guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy-leaks/|archive-date=December 7, 2008}}</ref> The high volume of traffic crashed the website server and the tracks were removed. In August, the FBI arrested Cogill under the [[Family Entertainment and Copyright Act]] for releasing copyrighted material.<ref>{{cite news|last=Thatcher|first=Michelle|date=August 27, 2008|title=FBI arrests blogger accused of leaking Guns N' Roses tracks|work=[[CNET]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/fbi-arrests-blogger-accused-of-leaking-guns-n-roses-tracks/|url-status=live|access-date=September 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141221071720/http://www.cnet.com/news/fbi-arrests-blogger-accused-of-leaking-guns-n-roses-tracks/|archive-date=December 21, 2014}}</ref> Slash said: "I hope he rots in jail. It's going to affect the sales of the record, and it's not fair."<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Quinn|first1=Michelle|last2=Pandey|first2=Swati|date=August 29, 2008|title=Blogger arrested in music leak|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-aug-29-fi-music29-story.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912222046/http://articles.latimes.com/2008/aug/29/business/fi-music29|archive-date=September 12, 2017|access-date=June 7, 2018|work=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> According to [[Techdirt]], Cogill's arrest resulted in a large boost in illegal downloads of the album.<ref>{{cite news|last=Masnick|first=Mike|author-link=Mike Masnick|date=September 10, 2008|title=Blogger's Arrest Resulted in Much More Downloading of GNR Music|work=[[Techdirt]]|publisher=Floor64, Inc.|url=https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20080907/1650382188.shtml|url-status=live|access-date=September 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080912205756/http://techdirt.com/articles/20080907/1650382188.shtml|archive-date=September 12, 2008}}</ref> They also revealed that [[Universal Music Group|UMG]] showed Best Buy search engine traffic results shortly after the case to capitalize on the interest and help them with the distribution deal.<ref name="waste">{{cite news|last=Masnick|first=Mike|date=January 7, 2014|title=The full story behind the RIAA & FBI's insanely wasteful prosecution of the dude who streamed Guns N' Roses album|work=[[Techdirt]]|publisher=Floor64, Inc.|url=https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20140107/01242425782/full-story-behind-riaa-fbis-insanely-wasteful-prosecution-dude-who-streamed-guns-n-roses-album.shtml|url-status=live|access-date=September 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108030557/http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20140107/01242425782/full-story-behind-riaa-fbis-insanely-wasteful-prosecution-dude-who-streamed-guns-n-roses-album.shtml|archive-date=January 8, 2014}}</ref> In November, Cogill agreed to plead guilty to one federal count of copyright infringement, later reduced to a misdemeanor.<ref>{{cite magazine|date=November 11, 2008|title=Guns N' Roses Leaker To Plead Guilty|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/266287/guns-n-roses-leaker-to-plead-guilty|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151011015246/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/266287/guns-n-roses-leaker-to-plead-guilty|archive-date=October 11, 2015|access-date=September 10, 2015|magazine=Billboard}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|date=December 15, 2008|title=Guns N' Roses Uploader Guilty of Copyright Infringement|url=https://www.wired.com/2008/12/guns-n-roses-up/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108203520/http://www.wired.com/2008/12/guns-n-roses-up/|archive-date=January 8, 2016|access-date=September 10, 2015|magazine=WIRED}}</ref> According to Cogill, he was not charged with copyright infringement because the court could not prove that the album was being prepared for commercial distribution: "The US government would have to prove, in court, that ''Chinese Democracy'' was really coming. And no one at the RIAA or the label had informed the government that these songs had been lying around for 14 years. Only that they had cost $12 million."<ref name="waste" /> Cogill was sentenced to two months' [[house arrest]] and was required to produce an anti-piracy video with the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA).<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Kravets|first=David|date=July 14, 2009|title=Guns N' Roses Uploader Gets House Arrest, Will Make Anti-Piracy Ad|url=https://www.wired.com/2009/07/guns-n-roses-uploader-gets-home-sentence-agrees-to-produce-riaa-anti-piracy-message/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108203521/http://www.wired.com/2009/07/guns-n-roses-uploader-gets-home-sentence-agrees-to-produce-riaa-anti-piracy-message/|archive-date=January 8, 2016|access-date=September 10, 2015|magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|WIRED]]}}</ref> He said the video was never made as the RIAA did not want to spend money on production costs.<ref>{{cite web|last=Masnick|first=Mike|date=June 16, 2010|title=Uploader of Guns 'N Roses Album Never Forced To Do RIAA Propaganda; So He Tells The Truth Instead|url=https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20100715/17252610236.shtml|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151022224319/https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20100715/17252610236.shtml|archive-date=October 22, 2015|access-date=September 10, 2015|work=[[Techdirt]]|publisher=Floor64, Inc.}}</ref> In 2019, around 120 ''Chinese Democracy'' demos leaked online.<ref name="lostmast"/> Zutaut had allowed a storage unit containing several CDs of recordings to expire, its contents were auctioned off, and the winner sold them to a fan, who circulated them online.<ref>{{cite news |last=Reilly |first=Nick |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/guns-n-roses-fan-accused-of-leaking-97-unreleased-tracks-after-buying-storage-unit-for-15000-2592459 |title=Guns N' Roses fan accused of leaking unreleased tracks after buying storage unit for $15,000 |work=[[NME]] |location=UK |publisher=[[BandLab Technologies]] |date=January 3, 2020 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103161148/https://www.nme.com/news/music/guns-n-roses-fan-accused-of-leaking-97-unreleased-tracks-after-buying-storage-unit-for-15000-2592459 |archivedate=January 3, 2020 }}</ref> The "Locker Leaks" contained 19 discs of demos, mostly instrumentals, from around 2001–2002.<ref name="lostmast">{{cite magazine |last=Peisner |first=David |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy-fans-leaks-axl-rose-1234645804/ |title=The Search for Guns N' Roses' Lost Masterpiece |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |publisher=Brian Szejka |date=December 23, 2022 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230101222505/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy-fans-leaks-axl-rose-1234645804/ |archivedate=January 1, 2023 }}</ref> ===Dr Pepper promotion=== On March 26, 2008, media reported that soft drinks manufacturer [[Dr Pepper]] would offer a free can to everyone in America—excluding former Guns N' Roses guitarists Buckethead and Slash—if the band released ''Chinese Democracy'' in 2008.<ref name="Dr Pepper – Billboard">{{cite magazine|author=Cohen, Jonathan|date=March 26, 2008|title=Dr Pepper Sweetens Pot For 'Chinese Democracy'|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1046064/dr-pepper-sweetens-pot-for-chinese-democracy|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140722020447/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1046064/dr-pepper-sweetens-pot-for-chinese-democracy|archive-date=July 22, 2014|access-date=March 27, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> On the Guns N' Roses website, Rose wrote of his surprise at the company's support and said he would share his Dr Pepper with Buckethead.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rose|first=W. Axl|author-link=Axl Rose|date=March 26, 2008|title=Press Release from Axl Regarding Dr. Pepper|url=http://web.gunsnroses.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080326&content_id=a1&vkey=news&fext=.jsp|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111114151536/http://web.gunsnroses.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080326&content_id=a1&vkey=news&fext=.jsp|archive-date=November 14, 2011|publisher=Guns N' Roses}}</ref> After it was announced that the album would be released in 2008, Dr Pepper confirmed that it would uphold its pledge.<ref name="bbc dr pepper">{{cite news|date=October 24, 2008|title=Drinks firm to keep Roses pledge|publisher=BBC|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7688232.stm|url-status=live|access-date=October 24, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081025010935/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7688232.stm|archive-date=October 25, 2008}}</ref> However, on the album's release, the Dr Pepper website servers crashed under the demand for coupons.<ref name=":4">{{cite magazine|last=Paine|first=Andre|date=November 26, 2008|title=Guns N' Roses Lawyer Blasts Dr Pepper|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/266187/guns-n-roses-lawyer-blasts-dr-pepper|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|publisher=[[Prometheus Global Media]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140720051250/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/266187/guns-n-roses-lawyer-blasts-dr-pepper|archive-date=July 20, 2014|access-date=June 23, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Lawyers for the band threatened Dr Pepper's parent company with a lawsuit two days after the album's release; in a letter to the company, Rose's lawyer Alan Gutman said: "The redemption scheme your company clumsily implemented for this offer was an unmitigated disaster which defrauded consumers and, in the eyes of vocal fans, ruined ''Chinese Democracy''{{'}}s release."<ref name=":4" /> Gutman also demanded a full-page apology to appear in ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'', ''USA Today'', ''The New York Times'', and ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''.<ref>{{cite news|date=November 27, 2008|title=Rose angry over drinks giveaway|work=BBC News|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7751919.stm|url-status=live|access-date=December 1, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081128031746/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7751919.stm|archive-date=November 28, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=November 27, 2008|title=Axl Rose Files Lawsuit Against Dr. Pepper; Asks For Apology, Payments|url=http://www.accesshollywood.com/axl-rose-files-lawsuit-against-dr-pepper-asks-for-apology-payment_article_12375|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205122231/http://www.accesshollywood.com/axl-rose-files-lawsuit-against-dr-pepper-asks-for-apology-payment_article_12375|archive-date=December 5, 2008|access-date=December 1, 2008|work=[[Access (U.S. TV series)|Access]]}}</ref> Later, in an online interview with fans, Rose said he told his lawyers it was a "non-issue" and was surprised by their actions, and that he believed they should have focused on the record release.<ref name="Axl explains his stance on Dr. Pepper litigation">{{cite web|last=Rose|first=W. Axl|author-link=Axl Rose|date=December 13, 2008|title=Axl answers fans' questions on GN'R fan sites (transcripts)|url=http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/news/shownews.php?newsid=1973|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090615172248/http://heretodaygonetohell.com/news/shownews.php?newsid=1973|archive-date=June 15, 2009|access-date=June 23, 2009|publisher=HereTodayGoneToHell.com}}</ref> === Copyright infringement === In October 2009, electronic musician [[Ulrich Schnauss]]'s record labels [[Independiente (record label)|Independiente]] and [[Domino Recording Company|Domino]] sued Guns N' Roses, alleging they had infringed copyright by using portions of Schnauss' compositions in the song "Riad N' the Bedouins".<ref>Kearney, Christine. [https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/267184/guns-n-roses-sued-for-copying-songs "Guns N' Roses Sued for Copying Songs"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528090858/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/267184/guns-n-roses-sued-for-copying-songs|date=May 28, 2013}}. [[billboard.com]]. October 6, 2009.</ref> The suit alleges the portions are sampled from Schnauss' ''[[Far Away Trains Passing By|Wherever You Are]]'' (2001) and ''[[A Strangely Isolated Place]]'' (2003). Brian Caplan, attorney for Domino, said they first contacted Geffen on February 26. Caplan told ''[[New York Daily News]]'' the label "attempted to explain [the samples] away", and "They tried to justify it".<ref name="auto" /> Guns N' Roses denied the allegations. Their manager, Irving Azoff, said: "The snippets of 'ambient noise' in question were provided by a member of the album's production team who has assured us that these few seconds of sound were obtained legitimately ... While the band resents the implication that they would ever use another artist's work improperly and are assessing possible counterclaims, they are confident this situation will be satisfactorily resolved." The two labels sought $1 million in damages against Geffen for the unauthorized use of the samples.<ref>{{cite web|last=Luerssen|first=John D.|date=October 7, 2009|title=Guns N' Roses Respond to Plagiarism Lawsuit|url=http://www.spinner.com/2009/10/07/guns-n-roses-respond-to-plagiarism-lawsuit/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716120756/http://www.spinner.com/2009/10/07/guns-n-roses-respond-to-plagiarism-lawsuit/|archive-date=July 16, 2011|work=[[Spinner (website)|Spinner]]}}</ref> ===Unused tracks and follow-up album=== {{see also|List of songs recorded by Guns N' Roses#Chinese Democracy sessions}} {{blockquote|The record was meant to be more than one disc, but after spending so much time on it we just had to put an end to it. There's also stuff that was held over from before [the previous lineup] disbanded, so there's some stuff that should someday see the light of day.|[[Tommy Stinson]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/tommy-stinson-i-wasnt-intending-to-quit-guns-n-roses/|title=TOMMY STINSON: 'I Wasn't Intending To Quit GUNS N' ROSES'|date=January 29, 2017|website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET}}</ref>}} According to Bumblefoot, one song, "Atlas Shrugged", was cut at the last second because of CD playing time constraints.<ref name="atlas">[http://www.gnrevolution.com/song.php?id=5203 GNR Evolution: Song facts: Atlas Shrugged] GNR Evolution, 2009.</ref> Songs mentioned by those involved in the recording that did not make the final album include "Atlas Shrugged", "Oklahoma", "Thyme", "[[The General (Guns N' Roses song)|The General]]", "Elvis Presley and the Monster of Soul", "Leave Me Alone", "Ides of March", "[[Absurd (song)|Silkworms]]", "Down by the Ocean", "Zodiac", "Quick Song" and "We Were Lying".<ref name="Axlspeaks" /><ref name="belt" /><ref name="atlas" /><ref name="Fan">{{Cite web|date=December 13, 2008|title=Axl answers fans' questions on GN'R fan sites (transcripts)|url=http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/news/shownews.php?newsid=1973|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090615172248/http://heretodaygonetohell.com/news/shownews.php?newsid=1973|archive-date=June 15, 2009|website=HereTodayGoneToHell}}</ref><ref name="DizzyInt">{{Cite web|author=Madagascar88|date=January 26, 2006|title=Dizzy Reed of Guns N' Roses does marathon interview|url=http://metalsludge.tv/classic/?p=30945|website=Metal Sludge}}</ref> In August 2013, "Going Down", a song recorded during the sessions featuring Stinson on vocals, was leaked online, as well as several remixes by Brain and future Guns N' Roses keyboardist [[Melissa Reese]].<ref name="Goingdown">{{cite news|last=Hogan|first=Marc|author-link=Marc Hogan|date=August 20, 2013|title=Alleged Guns N' Roses Leak Is 'Going Down' Less Than Smoothly|work=[[Spin.com]]|publisher=[[Spin Media]]|url=https://www.spin.com/2013/08/guns-n-roses-going-down-leak-stream/|url-status=live|access-date=June 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130823120332/http://www.spin.com/articles/guns-n-roses-going-down-leak-stream|archive-date=August 23, 2013}}</ref> In 2014, Rose said that a "second part" of ''Chinese Democracy'' and a [[remix album]] were complete and pending release.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Bienstock|first=Richard|date=June–July 2014|title=The Guns N' Roses Frontman and Ronnie James Dio Lifetime Achievement Awards Winner Tells No Lies|url=http://www.revolvermag.com/news/axl-rose-says-guns-n-roses-have-two-new-albums-completed.html|magazine=[[Revolver Magazine|Revolver]]|publisher=[[NewBay Media]]|issue=115|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717092704/http://www.revolvermag.com/news/axl-rose-says-guns-n-roses-have-two-new-albums-completed.html|archive-date=July 17, 2014|access-date=June 26, 2015|quote=We recorded a lot of things before Chinese was out. We've worked more on some of those things and we've written a few new things. But basically, we have what I call kind of the second half of Chinese. That's already recorded. And then we have a remix album made of the songs from Chinese}}</ref> In 2018, ''Billboard'' reported that a follow-up to ''Chinese Democracy'' had been planned for 2016, but was put on hold when [[Slash (musician)|Slash]] and [[Duff McKagan]] rejoined the band.<ref name="CD2018"/> Guitarist [[Richard Fortus]] confirmed work on a new album in 2018.<ref>{{cite web|last=Winkie|first=Luke|date=December 17, 2018|title=New Guns N' Roses Album Coming "Faster Than You Think"|url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/new-guns-n-roses-album-coming-faster-you-think|access-date=December 20, 2018|website=[[Revolver (magazine)|Revolver]]}}</ref> In October 2021, Slash mentioned the band had been reworking songs from the ''Chinese Democracy'' period.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Slash Gives an Update on Guns N' Roses |first=Taylor |last=Linzinmeir |work=Loudwire |date=October 23, 2021 |access-date=October 29, 2021 |url= https://loudwire.com/slash-update-guns-n-roses-new-music/ |quote=}}</ref> In 2021, starting with "[[Absurd (song)|Absurd]]", the band started occasionally releasing reworked singles.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Guns N' Roses Share New Song "ABSUЯD" |last=Minsker |first=Evan |work=Pitchfork |date=August 6, 2021 |access-date=August 11, 2021 |url= https://pitchfork.com/news/guns-n-roses-share-new-song-absurd-listen/ }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=GUNS N' ROSES To Release New Single 'Hard Skool' This Friday |author= |work=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |date=September 23, 2021 |access-date=September 23, 2021 |url= https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/guns-n-roses-to-release-new-single-hard-skool-this-friday/ |language= |quote=}}</ref> ==Style and composition== {{Listen|filename=Chinese Democracy.ogg|title="Chinese Democracy"|description=Sample of "[[Chinese Democracy (song)|Chinese Democracy]]" from ''Chinese Democracy''. It is the first single released by Guns N' Roses since 1994. The song represented a shift in style for the band towards [[industrial rock]].|format=[[Ogg]]}} ''Chinese Democracy'' marked Guns N' Roses' expansion into industrial rock,<ref name="rockhall"/><ref name="numetal"/><ref name="Empire"/><ref name="Wood"/><ref name="sput">{{cite web|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/28092/Guns-N-Roses-Chinese-Democracy/|title=Review: Guns N' Roses – Chinese Democracy |date=November 23, 2008|first=Dave |last=de Sylvia|work=Sputnikmusic|access-date=August 12, 2015}}</ref> [[electronic rock]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/tour/allstar0114.html|title=Guns N' Roses Use Classics, Commentary To Impress At Rock In Rio -Allstar|first=Kevin|last=Raub|date=2001|publisher=CDnow.com|access-date=February 10, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305143106/http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/tour/allstar0114.html|archive-date=March 5, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vh1.com/news/221616/comeback-albums-hits-missses-one-lost-classic/Hard|archive-url=https://archive.today/20160723220221/http://www.vh1.com/news/221616/comeback-albums-hits-missses-one-lost-classic/Hard|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 23, 2016|title=11 Hard Rock + Heavy Metal Comeback Albums: 5 Hits, 5 Misses + One Lost Classic|first=Mike|last=McPadden |date=November 10, 2018|work=VH1 News|access-date=February 10, 2016}}</ref> [[nu metal]],<ref name="Ido">{{cite web|url=http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/features/35054/In-Defence-Of-Guns-N-Roses-Chinese-Democracy|title=In Defence Of: Guns N' Roses 'Chinese Democracy'|first=Jody|last=Macgregor|date=February 28, 2013|work=FasterLouder|access-date=August 8, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150822001332/http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/features/35054/In-Defence-Of-Guns-N-Roses-Chinese-Democracy|archive-date=August 22, 2015}}</ref><ref name=numetal>{{cite web|last1=MacGregor|first1=Jody|title=Guns N' Roses' Dizzy Reed:"I'm very proud of Chinese Democracy"|url=http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/features/35134/Guns-N-Roses-Dizzy-Reed-Im-very-proud-of-Chinese-Democracy|website=FasterLouder|publisher=[[Sound Alliance]]|access-date=July 8, 2015|date=March 7, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712005441/http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/features/35134/Guns-N-Roses-Dizzy-Reed-Im-very-proud-of-Chinese-Democracy|archive-date=July 12, 2015|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/1441872/guns-n-roses-going-down/mp3s/|title=Guns N' Roses – "Going Down"|date=August 19, 2013|last=Nelson|first=Michael|work=[[Stereogum]]|access-date=February 10, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019134156/http://www.stereogum.com/1441872/guns-n-roses-going-down/mp3s/|archive-date=October 19, 2015}}</ref> and elements of [[trip-hop]] while retaining the [[hard rock]] style of previous albums.<ref name="Fricke"/> Critics noted stylistic similarities on the album to the work of Queen, [[Paul McCartney and Wings]], and [[Andrew Lloyd Webber]].<ref name="Ido"/><ref name="quiet">{{cite web|url=http://thequietus.com/articles/00919-guns-n-roses-and-chinese-democracy|title=In Defence Of... – Guns N'Roses and Chinese Democracy|date=December 23, 2008|last=Patterson|first=Dayal|author-link=Dayal Patterson|work=[[The Quietus]]|access-date=August 12, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://hiddentracks.org/articles/record-review/in-its-way-it-s-remarkable-like-marillion-s-kayleigh-reimagined-by-a-hysterical-andrew-lloyd-webber/|title=In its way, it's remarkable, like Marillion's Kayleigh reimagined by a hysterical Andrew Lloyd-Webber.|date=May 25, 2008|last=Paphides|first=Pete|work=Hidden Tracks|access-date=August 12, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531190722/http://hiddentracks.org/articles/record-review/in-its-way-it-s-remarkable-like-marillion-s-kayleigh-reimagined-by-a-hysterical-andrew-lloyd-webber/|archive-date=May 31, 2014}}</ref><ref name="LAt"/> Rose cited the influence of [[Dave Grohl]]'s drumming on Nirvana's "[[Smells Like Teen Spirit]]" on the title track.<ref name=":2"/> The song was inspired by the movie ''[[Kundun]]'' about the [[14th Dalai Lama|Dalai Lama]],<ref name="ban"/> as well as the three months Rose spent living in China, stating "When you stay in hotels there, you don't realize that the stuff you're seeing on TV, the average person isn't seeing. Everywhere I went, people are scared, they're frightened for their lives to have an opinion that deviates from the government about the simplest things, things that we take for granted."<ref>{{cite news |last=Wilkening |first=Matthew |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/axl-rose-quotes-2016/ |title=20 Things We Learned During Axl Rose's New Q&A Session |work=Ultimate Classic Rock |date=June 8, 2016 |access-date=2020-07-19 }}</ref> The lyrics "Blame it on the [[Falun Gong]] / They've seen the end and you cannot hold on now" from the song caused the album to be [[Censorship in China|banned in China]].<ref name="ban">{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-flumenbaum/china-bans-idemocracyi-de_b_146070.html|title=China Bans ''Democracy'', Declares War on Guns N' Roses|first=David |last=Flumenbaum|date=February 24, 2009|work=The Huffington Post|access-date=July 29, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711031959/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-flumenbaum/china-bans-idemocracyi-de_b_146070.html|archive-date=July 11, 2015}}</ref> The song starts with a delayed intro of ambient noise and guitar lines.<ref name="Metalinj"/> ''Spin'' likened the guitars to the work of [[Tom Morello]].<ref name="spin.com"/> Drummer [[Josh Freese]] wrote the main guitar riff, describing it as "really dumb, simple, dirty guitar riff."<ref>{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Bill |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/josh-freese-interview/ |title=Josh Freese of Devo and the Vandals Is the Blue Collar Freelance Drummer to the Stars |work=VICE |date=August 21, 2014}}</ref> "Shackler's Revenge" was written in reaction to "the insanity of senseless school shootings and also the media trying desperately to make more out of [[Seung-Hui Cho|one shooter]]'s preference for the Guns song [[Mr. Brownstone|Brownstone]] to no avail" according to Rose.<ref name="Chattrans">{{Cite web |url=http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/news/shownews.php?newsid=1973 |title=Axl answers fans' questions on GN'R fan sites (transcripts) [updated Dec 14th] |last=Rose |first=W. Axl|author-link=Axl Rose |date=December 14, 2008}}</ref>{{efn|[[Virginia Tech shooting|Virginia Tech shooter]] [[Seung-Hui Cho]] once wrote a play based on the lyrics of the Guns N' Roses song "Mr. Brownstone",<ref>{{cite web|last=Krgin|first=Borivoj|date=April 18, 2007|title=Virginia Tech Killer Named Play After Guns N' Roses Song 'Mr. Brownstone'|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/virginia-tech-killer-named-play-after-guns-n-roses-song-mr-brownstone/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725225235/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/virginia-tech-killer-named-play-after-guns-n-roses-song-mr-brownstone/|archive-date=July 25, 2015|access-date=July 25, 2015|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]}}</ref> although "Shackler's Revenge" was written & recorded before the shooting.}} Rose also compared the song's lyrics to "a horror flick or something like [[Dexter (TV series)|Dexter]].. with an interesting menacing character."<ref name="Chattrans"/> The song drew comparisons to the music of industrial and electronic artists such as [[Nine Inch Nails]], [[The Prodigy]], [[Marilyn Manson (band)|Marilyn Manson]], [[Korn]], and [[Rob Zombie]] from critics.<ref name="IGN">{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/09/16/guns-n-roses-shacklers-revenge-review|title=Guns N' Roses – "Shackler's Revenge" Review|author=Spence D.|date=September 16, 2008|work=IGN|access-date=July 25, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150728012254/http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/09/16/guns-n-roses-shacklers-revenge-review|archive-date=July 28, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/democracy-now/Content?oid=1521419|title=Democracy Now:Guns N' Roses Finally Issue Their Long-delayed New Album|first=Phil|last=Freeman|website=[[Cleveland Scene]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713200755/https://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/democracy-now/Content?oid=1521419|archive-date=July 13, 2018|access-date=July 13, 2018}}</ref><ref name="CS"/><ref name="Petridis">{{cite news |last=Petridis |first=Alexis |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/nov/21/guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy |title=Guns N' Roses: Chinese Democracy |work=[[The Guardian]] |publisher=Guardian News and Media |date=November 20, 2008 |access-date=August 7, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105191947/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/nov/21/guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy |archive-date=January 5, 2016 }}</ref><ref name="Metalinj"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.laweekly.com/music/unpopular-opinion-guns-n-roses-my-world-was-a-track-ahead-of-its-time-7102358|title=Unpopular Opinion: Guns N' Roses' "My World" Was a Track Ahead of Its Time|first=Nicholas|last=Pell|date=July 5, 2016|work=Los Angeles Times|url-status=live|archive-date=July 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160706154302/https://www.laweekly.com/music/unpopular-opinion-guns-n-roses-my-world-was-a-track-ahead-of-its-time-7102358|access-date=July 13, 2018}}</ref> The song features elements of industrial rock,<ref name="IGN"/><ref name="CS">{{cite web|url=https://www.commonsensemedia.org/music-reviews/shacklers-revenge-cd-single|title="Shackler's Revenge" (CD single) – Music Review|last=Yudt|first=Susan|work=Common Sense Media|date=January 4, 2010|archive-date=May 9, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100509060354/https://www.commonsensemedia.org/music-reviews/shacklers-revenge-cd-single|url-status=live|access-date=July 13, 2018}}</ref> electronic rock,<ref name="Petridis"/> nu metal,<ref name="IGN"/><ref name="CS"/><ref name="MR">{{cite web|url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/blog-what-are-we-to-make-of-shacklers-revenge-174263|title=BLOG: What are we to make of Shackler's Revenge?|publisher=Music Radar|last=Bosso|first=Joe|date=September 17, 2008|access-date=July 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912055750/https://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/blog-what-are-we-to-make-of-shacklers-revenge-174263|archive-date=September 12, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> [[sludge rock]],<ref name="paste">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2008/11/guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy.html|title=Guns N' Roses: Chinese Democracy|magazine=Paste|last=Saba|first=Michael|date=November 24, 2008|access-date=July 13, 2018|archive-date=February 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215221213/https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2008/11/guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="COS"/> and [[alternative rock]].<ref name="metalsucks.net">{{cite web|url=http://www.metalsucks.net/2008/08/14/another-new-guns-n-roses-song-leaks/|title=Another New Guns N' Roses song Leaks!|last=Rosenberg|first=Axl|work=[[Metalsucks]]|date=August 14, 2008|access-date=July 13, 2018}}</ref> Multiple layers of vocals create what ''Rolling Stone'' described as "a demented choir".<ref name="shackler's"/> "Better" is an electronic rock-influenced song that features Rose singing in [[falsetto]] at the beginning of the track "No one ever told me when / I was alone / They just thought I'd know better", over a "whining guitar line that bubbles and bursts".<ref name="rockhall">{{cite web|url=http://rockhall.com/blog/post/10-essential-guns-n-roses-songs/|title=10 Essential Guns N' Roses Songs|date=April 2, 2012|work=rockhall.com|access-date=July 29, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905032823/http://rockhall.com/blog/post/10-essential-guns-n-roses-songs/|archive-date=September 5, 2015}}</ref><ref name="Fricke"/><ref name="COS"/> Rose mentioned the guitar parts in the bridge as among his favorite parts of the album.<ref name="Chattrans"/> ''[[Loudwire]]'' described the song as having an [[Acid house]]-style beat,<ref name="LOUD">{{cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/guns-n-roses-all-songs-ranked/|title=Every Guns N' Roses Song Ranked, Worst to Best|date=June 27, 2018|website=[[Loudwire]]|access-date=August 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628012625/http://loudwire.com/guns-n-roses-all-songs-ranked/|archive-date=June 28, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> while ''Rolling Stone'' described the intro as a "hip-hop voicemail".<ref name="Fricke"/> ''[[Apple Music]]'' compared the vocals to the "gothic thrust of [[Iron Maiden]]'s [[Bruce Dickinson]]".<ref name="AppleMusic">{{cite web |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/chinese-democracy/1440756253 |title=Chinese Democracy – album by Guns N' Roses |work=[[Apple Music]] |date=2023 |accessdate=2023-09-27 }}</ref> "Street of Dreams", previously known as "The Blues", is a pop-influenced piano ballad similar to "[[November Rain]]" and [[The Garden (Guns N' Roses song)|"The Garden"]] with influences from [[Elton John]].<ref name="Fricke"/><ref name="COS">{{cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2008/11/album-review-chinese-democracy/|title=Guns N' Roses – Chinese Democracy – Album Review|first=Michael|last=Roffman|date=November 19, 2008|work=Consequence of Sound|access-date=July 29, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20150729231511/https://consequence.net/2008/11/album-review-chinese-democracy/|archive-date=July 29, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/review/66061-guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy/|title=Guns N' Roses – Chinese Democracy review|first=Ewan|last=Sawdey|date=November 23, 2008|work=[[PopMatters]]|access-date=July 29, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924155332/http://www.popmatters.com/review/66061-guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy/|archive-date=September 24, 2015}}</ref><ref name="AppleMusic"/> The song was noted as similar to the works of Queen.<ref name="Metalinj"/><ref name="LOUD"/> On "If The World", Buckethead played a [[flamenco guitar]]; it was described as having "an electronic funk slither", [[neo-soul]], nu-metal, and trip-hop styles.<ref name="Petridis"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/10/09/guns-n-roses-if-the-world|title=Guns N' Roses – If The World|author=Spence D.|date=October 9, 2008|work=[[IGN]]|access-date=July 29, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924162609/http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/10/09/guns-n-roses-if-the-world|archive-date=September 24, 2015}}</ref> Keyboardist Chris Pitman said the song was "about environmental decay in its futurist context".<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.wickedinfo.com:80/content/view/325/1/ |title=Interview with Guns N' Roses keyboardist Chris Pitman |last=Angell |first=Steven |date=November 21, 2008 |website=WickedInfo.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090108054553/http://www.wickedinfo.com/content/view/325/1/ |archive-date=January 8, 2009 |url-status=dead |access-date=August 7, 2018 }}</ref> Pitman primarily wrote the song on a 12-string guitar, stating "I just started with this riff that allows for a pretty cool vocals... I wrote the drums with a dub / reggae beat... added strings, piano, bass, echo guitar, synth and sub-bass. I gave the recordings to Axl and he added his part by singing in one night."<ref>{{cite news |last=Wustmann |first=Gerrit |url=http://www.nrhz.de/flyer/beitrag.php?id=13269 |title=Interview mit Guns N' Roses-Keyborder und Songwriter Chris Pitman "Die Stimme als ausdrucksstärkstes Instrument" |language=de |trans-title=Interview with Guns N 'Roses keyboarder and songwriter Chris Pitman "The voice as the most expressive instrument" |work=Neue Rheinische Zeitung |date=December 17, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025140302/http://www.nrhz.de/flyer/beitrag.php?id=13269 |archive-date=October 25, 2012 |access-date=July 10, 2020}}</ref> Rose described the writing of the song as a combination of [[James Bond]] and '70s [[Blaxploitation]] films, with an "intentionally cheesy sounding chorus" to parody [[James Bond music]].<ref>{{cite AV media | people =[[Axl Rose|Rose, W. Axl]] | date =December 16, 2009 | title =Transcript of Axl Rose's speech about the song "If The World" during the [[Chinese Democracy Tour]] stop at the Kyocera Dome. | medium =Radio broadcast | language =en| location =Osaka, Japan | quote =They heard it earlier, and they thought, 'it might work for a Bond movie or something', and that's kinda how the song happened. Basically, trying to kinda write a combination between James Bond and black exploitation films of the '70s, and then people noticed 'you know the chorus, it's stupid'. Well, I agree, it was done on purpose, because what we were doing is we were making fun of really bad Bond songs, so we decided to make our own bad Bond song, so it was kinda fun. So this was from our Bond movie "If The World Would End Today".}}</ref> "[[There Was a Time (Guns N' Roses song)|There Was a Time]]" is a heavily layered melody-driven orchestral song with a [[Mellotron]], violins, choirs, and multiple synthesizers.<ref name="Metalinj">{{cite web|url=http://www.metalinjection.net/latest-news/chinese-democracy-track-by-track-analysis-from-a-first-listen-in-a-really-loud-club|title="Chinese Democracy" track by track analysis from a first listen in a really loud club|date=November 18, 2008|work=Metal Injection|access-date=July 29, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108203521/http://www.metalinjection.net/latest-news/chinese-democracy-track-by-track-analysis-from-a-first-listen-in-a-really-loud-club|archive-date=January 8, 2016}}</ref><ref name="COS"/> ''Spin'' noted, "Bluesy piano and slyly cinematic passage set up the highest notes Axl's full-health throat has ever belted."<ref name="spin.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2016/02/every-guns-n-roses-song-ranked-axl-rose-slash-appetite-for-destruction-list/|title=Every Guns N' Roses Song, Ranked|date=February 19, 2016|work=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]|access-date=August 7, 2018|url-status=live|archive-date=February 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160224082226/https://www.spin.com/2016/02/every-guns-n-roses-song-ranked-axl-rose-slash-appetite-for-destruction-list/}}</ref> ''Apple Music'' described the song as featuring "[[progressive rock|prog rock]] mellotron and strings".<ref name="AppleMusic"/> ''Ultimate Classic Rock'' said the song was "a mesmerizing cocktail of minimalist hip-hop beats, lush string arrangements, transcendent guitar solos and some of Rose's most ear-piercing, tortured screams—sometimes happening all at once."<ref name="UCR21"/> ''Kerrang'' noted influences from [[Danny Elfman]], [[The Eagles]], and [[Carlos Santana]] on the track.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kerrang.com/the-20-greatest-guns-n-roses-songs-ranked|title=The 20 greatest Guns N' Roses songs – ranked|date=October 8, 2020|website=Kerrang!}}</ref> "Catcher in the Rye" was written after Rose watched a documentary on [[Mark David Chapman]] and wanted to write a song in dedication to [[John Lennon]]; the song is meant to criticize the book ''[[The Catcher in the Rye]]''.<ref name="chat">{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/axl-rose-takes-part-in-another-online-chat-says-there-are-no-plans-for-gn-r-tour-right-now/|title=Axl Rose Takes Part in Another Online Chat, Says There Are 'No Plans' For Gn'r Tour Right Now|date=December 14, 2008|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|first=Borivoj |last=Krgin|access-date=July 25, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725225749/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/axl-rose-takes-part-in-another-online-chat-says-there-are-no-plans-for-gn-r-tour-right-now/|archive-date=July 25, 2015}}</ref> The song, a [[power ballad]],<ref name="LOUD"/> drew comparisons to [[Oasis (band)|Oasis]]<ref name="spin.com"/> as well as Elton John, Queen, and the Guns N' Roses song "[[Yesterdays (Guns N' Roses song)|Yesterdays]]".<ref name="Klosterman"/> "Scraped" takes the album back to an industrial rock style with Rose singing "Don't you try to stop us now" and "All things are possible, I am unstoppable."<ref name="Fricke"/><ref name="COS"/> The intro has been described as "highly processed and strange".<ref name="Metalinj"/> A vocal bridge on the song was noted as similar to "[[Get the Funk Out]]" by [[Extreme (band)|Extreme]].<ref name="Klosterman"/> It also drew comparisons to [[Soundgarden]].<ref name="spin.com"/> ''Loudwire'' described the song as a "musical Frankenstein", referencing the effects on Rose's voice.<ref name="LOUD"/> [[File:Martin Luther King - March on Washington.jpg|alt=In a black-and-white photograph, a middle-aged African-American man stands in front of multiple microphones. In the foreground is a middle-aged white man wearing a US police uniform.|thumb|left|[[Martin Luther King Jr.]]'s speeches are sampled on "Madagascar".]] Discussing the origins of "Riad N' The Bedouins", Rose said: "Riad is the name my one-time momentary brother-in-law of Erin Everly went by when I knew him. Of part Lebanese descent and a former student of [[Pepperdine University]], he claims to be an international arms dealer."<ref name="ART EDITION">{{cite AV media notes |title=Chinese Democracy (alternate "Art edition" booklet) |others=[[Guns N' Roses]] |year=2008 |publisher=[[Geffen Records]] }}</ref> Rose's vocals on the song have been compared to [[Robert Plant]].<ref name="Metalinj"/><ref name="AppleMusic"/> The song starts with ambient samples of the songs "Wherever You Are" and "A Strangely Isolated Place" by [[Ulrich Schnauss]] (see [[#Copyright infringement|§ Copyright infringement]] for information on the lawsuit regarding the samples).<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/oct/06/guns-n-roses-copyright-infringement|title=Guns N' Roses sued for copyright infringement|first=Sean|last=Michaels|author-link=Sean Michaels (writer)|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=October 6, 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161201212930/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/oct/06/guns-n-roses-copyright-infringement|archive-date=December 1, 2016}}</ref> Several critics have theorized the song's lyrical content is about the [[Iraq War]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wmmr.com/galleries/guns-n-roses-all-87-songs-ranked/|title=Guns N' Roses: All 87 Songs Ranked|date=July 8, 2020|website=93.3 WMMR}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/the-10-worst-guns-n-roses-songs|title=The 10 Worst Guns N' Roses Songs|first=Howard Johnson 14|last=August 2016|website=loudersound|date=August 14, 2016}}</ref> Rose said "Sorry" was about "anyone talking nonsense at mine and the public's expense".<ref name="chat"/> The song is a power ballad that features a chorus "I'm sorry for you/Not sorry for me", described as a shot at Rose's former bandmates.<ref name="Metalinj"/> The song drew comparisons to [[Pink Floyd]] and [[Metallica]],<ref name="Metalinj"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/cdreviews/chinese-democracy/|title=CD Reviews: Chinese Democracy – GUNS N' ROSES|first=Don|last=Kaye|date=November 24, 2008|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=August 7, 2018}}</ref> and Rose's vocals were compared to [[Layne Staley]].<ref name="spin.com"/> ''The A.V. Club'' noted Rose's "bizarre, quasi-Transylvanian accent" on the line "But I don't want to do it".<ref name="Klosterman"/> "I.R.S." has Rose singing "Gonna call the president / Gonna call myself a private eye / Gonna need the IRS / Gonna get the FBI" over a guitar-heavy track.<ref name="Fricke"/><ref name="COS"/> The song was also noted for trip-hop influences.<ref name="spin.com"/> ''Spin'' mentioned the main riff's similarities to that of Nirvana's "[[In Bloom]]".<ref name="spin.com"/> "[[Madagascar (song)|Madagascar]]" has been described as having a "trip-hop pulse"; its bridge features interwoven samples of quotations from the movies ''[[Mississippi Burning]]'', ''[[Casualties of War]]'', ''[[Cool Hand Luke]]'', ''[[Braveheart]]'', and ''[[Seven (1995 film)|Seven]]'',<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.laweekly.com/music/guns-n-roses-why-chinese-democracys-fine-print-is-way-more-fun-than-the-record-2157155 |title=Guns N' Roses: Why Chinese Democracy's Fine Print Is Way More Fun Than the Record |last=Harvilla |first=Rob |date=November 26, 2008 |website=[[LA Weekly]]|url-status=live|archive-date=August 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815131625/https://www.laweekly.com/music/guns-n-roses-why-chinese-democracys-fine-print-is-way-more-fun-than-the-record-2157155}}</ref> and also contains several excerpts from Dr. [[Martin Luther King Jr.]]'s speeches "[[I Have a Dream]]" and "Why Jesus Called a Man a Fool".<ref name="Erlewine"/> ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' described it as "Axl's attempt to do [[Led Zeppelin]]'s [[Kashmir (song)|Kashmir]]".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://content.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1818247,00.html|title=Chinese Democracy Review|first=Joel|last=Stein|author-link=Joel Stein|date=June 26, 2008|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|access-date=August 7, 2018|url-status=live|archive-date=July 24, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140724050704/http://content.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1818247,00.html}}</ref> Rose said of the quotes "Dr. King's words have been edited together from multiple speeches as to bring the sentiments of his messages into the context of this particular song and to present their importance as strongly as possible."<ref name="ART EDITION"/> "This I Love" is a song written in 1992 that Rose called "the heaviest thing I've written".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.a-4-d.com/t158-this-i-love|title=This I Love|date=August 17, 2010|work=www.a-4-d.com|access-date=July 25, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150726000453/http://www.a-4-d.com/t158-this-i-love|archive-date=July 26, 2015}}</ref> The song is a piano ballad with Rose singing to a former lover.<ref name="COS"/><ref name="Klosterman"/> Rose described the song stating "It's a lot more intricate than I think most realize yet as the guitar and vocals are placed as they should be so dominant. The main string melody in that section I had originally written to a hip-hop loop as well."<ref name="Chattrans"/> ''Spin'' compared the song to the works of Andrew Lloyd Webber.<ref name="spin.com"/> "[[Prostitute (song)|Prostitute]]" is another orchestral-lined power ballad that features the lyrics "Ask yourself / Why I would choose / To prostitute myself / To live with fortune and shame".<ref name="Fricke"/><ref name="COS"/> According to producer [[Martin Glover|Youth]], Rose "labored" over the song because past successes weighed heavily on him.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gnrevolution.com/viewtopic.php?id=3397|title=Chinese Whispers – The Secret History of the New Studio Album: 1998|date=August 1999|work=gnrevolution.com; [[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]|access-date=July 29, 2015}}</ref> The song was described by ''Loudwire'' as "blending classical orchestrations and electro-beats with blistering guitar solos and some of [Rose's] highest pitched shrieking."<ref name="LOUD"/> ''Consequence of Sound'' compared Rose's vocals to "[[Bruce Hornsby]] with distortion."<ref name="COS"/> ==Artwork== [[File:Chinese democracy logo.jpg|thumb|Guns N' Roses' logo featured on the ''Chinese Democracy'' cover|alt=]] The cover art features a [[Sepia tone|sepia]] photograph of a bicycle with a large wicker basket resting against a wall on which the band's name is [[graffiti]]ed;<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.spin.com/2008/10/chinese-democracy-songlist-and-album-art-unveiled/ |title='Chinese Democracy' Songlist and Album Art Unveiled! |last=Fitzmaurice |first=Larry |date=October 16, 2008 |website=Spin |access-date=May 17, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170629090247/http://www.spin.com/2008/10/chinese-democracy-songlist-and-album-art-unveiled/ |archive-date=June 29, 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ew.com/article/2008/10/17/chinese-democ-1/ |title=Guns N' Roses' 'Chinese Democracy': Is that really an old-school bicycle on the CD cover? |last=Vozick-Levinson |first=Simon |date=October 17, 2008 |website=EW.com |access-date=May 17, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180517221919/http://ew.com/article/2008/10/17/chinese-democ-1/ |archive-date=May 17, 2018 }}</ref> it was photographed in [[Kowloon Walled City]] by Terry Hardin.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://findery.com/Chung123/notes/walled-city-of-most-expensive-album |title=Walled City of Most Expensive Album |last=Wong |first=Chung |date=November 23, 2017 |website=Findery.com |access-date=May 17, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180517221919/https://findery.com/Chung123/notes/walled-city-of-most-expensive-album |archive-date=May 17, 2018 }}</ref> Three red [[Red star|communist stars]] are above the letters "GNR" on the side with the band name and album title, which are written vertically.<ref name="cover">{{Cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/3511767/Guns-N-Roses-Chinese-Democracy-banned-in-China.html |title=Guns N' Roses' Chinese Democracy 'banned' in China |last=Moore |first=Malcolm |date=November 24, 2008 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|access-date=May 17, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808093821/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/3511767/Guns-N-Roses-Chinese-Democracy-banned-in-China.html |archive-date=August 8, 2017 }}</ref> According to artistic director Ryan Corey, Rose conceived the bike cover at the album's inception.<ref name="artwork2">{{Cite web |url=http://www.axlrosefaclube.com/2016/06/entrevista-com-ryan-corey-diretor-artistico-do-chinese-democracy/ |title=Entrevista com Ryan Corey, diretor artístico do Chinese Democracy |trans-title=Interview with Ryan Corey, artistic director of Chinese Democracy |work=Axl Rose Fã Clube|date=June 3, 2016 |access-date=May 17, 2018 |language=es |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180517221919/http://www.axlrosefaclube.com/2016/06/entrevista-com-ryan-corey-diretor-artistico-do-chinese-democracy/ |archive-date=May 17, 2018 }}</ref> Rose approached Chinese artist Chen Zhuo for permission to use a painting of [[Tiananmen Square]] as an amusement park for the album cover, but Chen declined due to China's [[Censorship in China|strict censorship laws]] and risks collaborating with a potentially controversial project.<ref name="cover"/><ref name="ART3">{{Cite web|url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/guns-n-roses-album-art/|title=Guns N' Roses Album Art: The Wild Stories Behind All Six Covers|first=Corey|last=Irwin|website=Ultimate Classic Rock|date=August 29, 2020 }}</ref> Shi Lifeng's painting "Controlling No. 3" was chosen by Rose and used as an alternate cover for an "art edition".<ref name="artwork2"/><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.soemo-fine-arts.com/exhibition?id=45 |title=Shi Lifeng's "Utopia" at Green T. House |date=January 10, 2011 |access-date=May 17, 2018 |work=Soemo Fine Arts|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160609024509/http://soemo-fine-arts.com/exhibition?id=45 |archive-date=June 9, 2016 }}</ref> It was used for the ''Rock Band 2'' download and released on CD in small quantities.<ref name="artwork2"/><ref name="ART3" /> The alternate booklet opens with a short essay written by Rose titled "Fear N' Freedom: The Future of China and Western Society".<ref name="ART EDITION"/> The album booklet features several artworks by Shi, including a bloodied fist holding a star covered by flailing human figures.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/2008/11/24/guns-roses-china-face-markets-cx_twdd_1124autofacescan01.html#6c3c916c389d |title=Guns N' Roses Puts Chinese Communists In Its Sights |last=Wang |first=Tina |date=November 24, 2008 |website=[[Forbes]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150717122121/http://www.forbes.com/2008/11/24/guns-roses-china-face-markets-cx_twdd_1124autofacescan01.html#6c3c916c389d |archive-date=July 17, 2015 }}</ref> Photographs of the Hong Kong skyline and the [[People's Liberation Army|Chinese military]] also appear in the booklet.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-guns-china-sb/guns-n-roses-not-bringing-democracy-to-china-idUSTRE4AL13L20081122 |title=Guns N' Roses not bringing 'Democracy' to China |last=Goodman |first=Dean |date=November 22, 2008 |work=[[Reuters]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180517221919/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-guns-china-sb/guns-n-roses-not-bringing-democracy-to-china-idUSTRE4AL13L20081122 |archive-date=May 17, 2018 }}</ref> The booklet also includes pictures of Rose, Buckethead, Stinson, Pitman, Finck, Fortus, Bumblefoot, Reed, Brain, and Ferrer alongside lyrics to the songs.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://beatsperminute.com/news/full-chinese-democracy-artwork-leaked/ |title=Full Chinese Democracy artwork leaked |last=Highkin |first=Sean |date=November 2, 2008 |website=[[Beats Per Minute (website)|Beats Per Minute]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180814085032/https://beatsperminute.com/news/full-chinese-democracy-artwork-leaked/ |archive-date=August 14, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Rose said in December 2008 that two alternate booklets were pending release, adding "The artwork has always been something I've been passionate about, and to release the album with unapproved and unseen final artwork with a 1st work only error-filled draft when others more recent were readily available still has not been explained."<ref name="Fan"/> However, plans fell through and only the "art edition" was released in limited quantities.<ref name="artwork2"/> Stinson said executives "ripped away" from Rose the artwork "right at the last second, when he wasn't ready".<ref name="CD2018">{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/8490842/guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy-album-legacy |title=The Divisive Legacy & Surprising Future of Guns N' Roses' 'Chinese Democracy' |last=Tavana |first=Art |date=December 22, 2018 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|publisher=Prometheus Global Media |archive-date=December 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181223032141/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/8490842/guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy-album-legacy|url-status=live}}</ref> ==Critical reception== {{Music ratings | ADM = 5.8/10<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/199/Guns-N-Roses-Chinese-Democracy.aspx|title=Chinese Democracy by Guns N' Roses: Any Decent Music?|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180103072442/http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/199/Guns-N-Roses-Chinese-Democracy.aspx |archive-date=January 3, 2018 }}</ref> | MC = 64/100<ref name="MC"/> | rev1 = [[AllMusic]] | rev1score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="Erlewine">[[Stephen Thomas Erlewine|Erlewine, Stephen Thomas]]. [{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r1453256|pure_url=yes}} Review: ''Chinese Democracy'']. [[AllMusic]]. Retrieved on November 28, 2009.</ref> | rev2 = ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' | rev2score = A−<ref name="Klosterman"/> | rev3 = ''[[Blender (magazine)|Blender]]'' | rev3score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="Blender">{{cite magazine|last=Dolan|first=Jon|date=December 2008|url=http://www.blender.com/guide/reviews.aspx?id=5399|title=Guns N' Roses : Chinese Democracy Review|magazine=[[Blender (magazine)|Blender]]|access-date=July 28, 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205141739/http://www.blender.com/guide/reviews.aspx?id=5399|archive-date=December 5, 2008}}</ref> | rev4 = ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' | rev4score = B−<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Greenwald|first=Andy|author-link=Andy Greenwald|date=November 19, 2008|url=https://ew.com/article/2008/11/19/chinese-democracy/|title=Chinese Democracy|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150326162420/https://ew.com/article/2008/11/19/chinese-democracy/|archive-date=March 26, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> | rev5 = ''[[The Guardian]]'' | rev5score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="Petridis"/> | rev6 = ''[[MSN Music]]'' ([[Robert Christgau#Consumer Guide|Consumer Guide]]) | rev6score = B+<ref name="MSN"/> | rev7 = ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'' | rev7score = 5.8/10<ref name="Cohen">{{cite news |last=Cohen |first=Ian |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/12469-chinese-democracy/ |title=Guns N' Roses: Chinese Democracy review |work=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |date=December 1, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907123949/http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/12469-chinese-democracy/ |archive-date=September 7, 2015}}</ref> | rev8 = ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]'' | rev8score = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref name="Qmag">{{cite journal|title=Review: Chinese Democracy|journal=[[Q (magazine)|Q]]|location=London|page=110|issue=270|date=January 2009}}</ref> | rev9 = ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' | rev9score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="Fricke">{{cite magazine|last=Fricke|first=David|author-link=David Fricke|date=November 27, 2008|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/chinese-democracy-20081127 |title=Review: ''Chinese Democracy'' |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821095303/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/chinese-democracy-20081127 |archive-date=August 21, 2017 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] }}</ref> | rev10 = ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'' | rev10score = 7/10<ref name="Wood">{{cite journal|last=Wood|first=Mikael|date=November 8, 2008|url=http://www.spin.com/reviews/guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy-geffen|title=Guns N' Roses, 'Chinese Democracy' (Geffen)|journal=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]|location=New York|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130308215901/http://www.spin.com/reviews/guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy-geffen|archive-date=March 8, 2013}}</ref> }} {{MCalbum|Chinese Democracy|generally favorable|64|28}}<ref name="MC">[http://www.metacritic.com/music/chinese-democracy ''Chinese Democracy'' (2008): Reviews] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120420234542/http://www.metacritic.com/music/chinese-democracy |date=April 20, 2012 }}. [[Metacritic]]. Retrieved on November 28, 2009.</ref> ''Los Angeles Times'' writer [[Ann Powers]] called it "a test for contemporary ears" and "a cyborgian blend of pop expressiveness, traditional rock bravado and [[Brian Wilson]]-style beautiful weirdness".<ref name="LAt">{{Cite web |url=https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2008/11/album-review-gu.html |title=Album review: Guns N' Roses' 'Chinese Democracy' |last=Powers |first=Ann|author-link=Ann Powers |date=November 20, 2008 |work=Los Angeles Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207154410/https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2008/11/album-review-gu.html |archive-date=December 7, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Chuck Klosterman]], writing for ''[[The A.V. Club]]'', praised the vocals and guitar parts but criticized some production elements, saying "Three of the songs are astonishing. Four or five others are very good. The vocals are brilliantly recorded, and the guitar playing is (generally) more interesting than the guitar playing on the ''Use Your Illusion'' albums."<ref name="Klosterman">{{cite news |last=Klosterman |first=Chuck |author-link=Chuck Klosterman|url=https://www.avclub.com/review/chuck-klosterman-reviews-chinese-democracy-2539 |title=Chuck Klosterman reviews Chinese Democracy |newspaper=[[The A.V. Club]] |date=November 18, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715103011/http://www.avclub.com/review/chuck-klosterman-reviews-chinese-democracy-2539 |archive-date=July 15, 2014}}</ref> Klosterman also commented that the album is "the last [[Old media]] album... the last album that will be marketed as a collection of autonomous-but-connected songs... the last album that will matter more as a physical object than as an Internet sound file."<ref name="Klosterman"/> ''Rolling Stone'' writer [[David Fricke]] commended Rose's unrestrained approach and called it "a great, audacious, unhinged and uncompromising hard-rock record".<ref name="Fricke"/> ''Rolling Stone'' later ranked the album number 12 on its year-end list of 2008's best albums.<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/24958695/albums_of_the_yea |title=Albums of the Year: 2008 |date=December 25, 2008 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090126145742/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/24958695/albums_of_the_yea |archive-date=January 26, 2009 |url-status=dead |access-date=December 29, 2018 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> [[Jon Dolan]] from ''[[Blender (magazine)|Blender]]'' found some of the music "ludicrous" and other parts "brilliant", writing that "these aren't songs, they're suites, energetic and skittering and unpredictable hard rock hydras cut with miasmic industrial grind, stadium rattling metal solos, electronic drift and hip-hop churn."<ref name="Blender"/> Writing for ''[[MSN Music]]'', [[Robert Christgau]] said Rose succeeds on "his own totally irrelevant terms" and added, "Since he's no longer capable of leading young white males astray, this effort isn't just pleasurable artistically. It's touching on a human level. Noble, even. I didn't think he had it in him."<ref name="MSN">{{cite web|last=Christgau |first=Robert |author-link=Robert Christgau |date=February 2009 |url=http://music.msn.com/music/consumerguide/2009/2/ |title=Inside Music: Consumer Guide |publisher=[[MSN Music]] |access-date=March 25, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090308060357/http://music.msn.com/music/consumerguide/2009/2/ |archive-date=March 8, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[CTV News]] compared the production to the [[Wall of Sound]] style of [[Phil Spector]].<ref name="CTV">{{Cite web |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/pigs-do-fly-chinese-democracy-hits-store-shelves-1.345020 |title=Pigs do fly, 'Chinese Democracy' hits store shelves |date=November 22, 2008 |website=[[CTV News]]|archive-date=September 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909185555/https://www.ctvnews.ca/pigs-do-fly-chinese-democracy-hits-store-shelves-1.345020|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[People (magazine)|People]]''{{'}}s David Caplan said that "everyone loves it" and "It is really great for Guns N' Roses fans because it's pure Guns N' Roses."<ref name="CTV"/> In a mixed review, ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' writer [[Greg Kot]] found Rose's production over-embellished, saying "[the songs] sound like the work of a fading rock star with far too much money and time on his hands".<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/turn_it_up/2008/11/guns-n-roses-ch.html |title=Guns N' Roses' 'Chinese Democracy': Appetite for excess |last=Greg |first=Kot |date=November 20, 2008 |website=[[Chicago Tribune]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081220085333/http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/turn_it_up/2008/11/guns-n-roses-ch.html |archive-date=December 20, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> ''[[The Guardian]]'' criticized the album as incohesive and "exhausting", but praised Rose's melodies.<ref name="Petridis"/> ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'' complimented the vocals but criticized the "dated" sound.<ref name="Cohen"/> ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]'' considered the album overproduced, stating "by throwing everything at the wall and nailing up the stuff that didn't stick, [Rose has] done himself a grand disservice".<ref name="Qmag"/> [[Kitty Empire]], writing for ''[[The Observer]]'', accused Rose of "cribbing" from the industrial rock of Nine Inch Nails, calling the album "a mish-mash of portentous digitals in search of a purpose."<ref name="Empire">{{cite news|last=Empire|first=Kitty|author-link=Kitty Empire|date=November 22, 2008|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/nov/23/guns-roses-chinese-democracy|title=CD of the week: Guns N' Roses: Chinese Democracy|newspaper=[[The Observer]]|location=London|at=Observer Review section, p. 19|access-date=March 25, 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140428111046/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/nov/23/guns-roses-chinese-democracy|archive-date=April 28, 2014}}</ref> ''The New York Times'' writer [[Jon Pareles]] described ''Chinese Democracy'' as "a transitional album", saying "By holding it back and tinkering with it for so long, Mr. Rose has pressured himself to make it [[wikt:epochal|epochal]]... Sometime during the years of work, theatricality and razzle-dazzle replaced heart."<ref name="Pareles">{{cite news|last=Pareles|first=Jon|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/23/arts/music/23pare.html|title=Review: Chinese Democracy|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161201170308/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/23/arts/music/23pare.html |archive-date=December 1, 2016|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=November 20, 2008 |access-date=November 28, 2009}}</ref> Rock biographer [[Stephen Davis (music journalist)|Stephen Davis]] was more vitriolic and named ''Chinese Democracy'' "the worst album ever", saying "It sounds like a Rob Zombie album from 1995".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.enterprisenews.com/x1049856672/Author-Stephen-Davis-has-chronicled-rock-royalty|title=Author Stephen Davis has chronicled rock royalty|last=Berndtson|first=Chad|date=December 13, 2008|website=[[The Enterprise (Brockton)|The Enterprise]]|publisher=[[GateHouse Media]]|access-date=June 27, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714195534/http://www.enterprisenews.com/x1049856672/Author-Stephen-Davis-has-chronicled-rock-royalty|archive-date=July 14, 2014}}</ref> The album was nominated for the [[Juno Award for International Album of the Year]] in [[Juno Awards of 2009|2009]], losing to [[Coldplay]]'s ''[[Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.idiomag.com/peek/62998/metallica |title=Cancer Bats, Guns N'Roses, and Metallica for Canadian awards |date=February 4, 2009 |access-date=February 5, 2009 |publisher=Idiomag.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090208234505/http://www.idiomag.com/peek/62998/metallica |archive-date=February 8, 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sootoday.com/content/news/full_story.asp?StoryNumber=38488|title=Complete list of 2009 Juno Award winners|date=March 29, 2009|last=Hopper|first=Donna|work=Sootoday.com|publisher=[[Village Media]]|access-date=August 12, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924103910/http://www.sootoday.com/content/news/full_story.asp?StoryNumber=38488|archive-date=September 24, 2015}}</ref> The song "If the World" was nominated for Best Original Song at the [[13th Satellite Awards]], losing to "[[Another Way to Die]]" by [[Jack White]] and [[Alicia Keys]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pressacademy.com/recipient/guns-n-roses/|title=Guns N' Roses – Recipients – International Press Academy|work=[[International Press Academy]]|access-date=August 12, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924081602/http://www.pressacademy.com/recipient/guns-n-roses/|archive-date=September 24, 2015}}</ref> The album was included on several publications' lists of the best and worst albums of the year.{{efn|'''Best-of lists''': ''ABC News'',<ref name="ABCNEWSYE"/> ''The Guardian'',<ref name="GUARDBEST"/> ''Rolling Stone'',<ref name="RSENDOF"/> ''Ultimate Classic Rock'',<ref name="UCRBEST"/> and ''Spin''<ref name="SPINBEST"/><br>'''Worst-of lists''': ''Time Out New York'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timeout.com/newyork/music/music-the-best-and-worst-of-2008|title=The best (and worst) of 2008|date=16 December 2008|website=Time Out New York|access-date=11 June 2016|archive-date=August 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811052855/https://www.timeout.com/newyork/music/music-the-best-and-worst-of-2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Asbury Park Press'',<ref>{{cite news |last=Donnelly |first=Tim |title=The Year in Rock |work=Asbury Park Press |date=4 January 2009}}</ref> ''IGN'',<ref>{{cite web |last=Vaziri |first=Aidin |title=The 10 Worst Albums of 2008 |url=https://uk.ign.com/articles/2009/01/01/the-10-worst-albums-of-2008 |website=IGN |access-date=30 March 2019 |date=1 January 2009}}</ref> and ''Chicago Tribune''<ref>{{cite news |last=Caro |first=Mark |title=Something stinks: A look back at the year's worst in arts and entertainment |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2008-12-28-0812260048-story.html |work=Chicago Tribune |date=28 December 2008}}</ref>}} [[Buckethead]]'s guitar solo on "[[There Was a Time (Guns N' Roses song)|There Was a Time]]" received acclaim. ''Consequence'' wrote it was one of the best solos of the decade,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2008/11/album-review-chinese-democracy/|title=Guns N' Roses' Chinese Democracy Ends a Complicated Era | Review|date=November 19, 2008}}</ref> and ''[[Total Guitar]]'' editors ranked it as the 32nd best of the 21st century,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.guitarworld.com/features/the-greatest-guitar-solos-of-the-21st-century-so-far|title=The greatest guitar solos of the 21st century... so far|first1=Jenna ScaramangaContributions from Amit|last1=Sharma|first2=Ellie Rogers|last2=published|date=July 17, 2023|website=guitarworld}}</ref> while readers of that magazine ranked it 6th.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=June 2023 |title=The People's Choice! Revealed! The top 50 guitar solos of the 1st century as voted by TG readers |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/news/best-guitar-solo-21st-century-readers-poll |magazine=Total Guitar}}</ref> ===Former band members' opinions=== [[Slash (musician)|Slash]] reacted positively to the title track: "That sounds cool. It's good to hear Axl's voice again, y'know?"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2008/10/24/slash_endorses_chinese_democracy_ |title=Slash Endorses 'Chinese Democracy' |date=October 24, 2008 |publisher=Starpulse |access-date=March 31, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090210084904/http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2008/10/24/slash_endorses_chinese_democracy_ |archive-date=February 10, 2009 }}</ref> Of the album, he said, "It's a really good record. It's very different from what the original Guns N' Roses sounded like, but it's a great statement by Axl ... It's a record that the original Guns N' Roses could never possibly make. And at the same time it just shows you how brilliant Axl is."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/slash-calls-guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy-a-great-statement-172820|title=Slash calls Guns N' Roses' Chinese Democracy "a great statement"|first=Joe|last=Bosso|work=[[MusicRadar]]|date=September 8, 2008|access-date=June 4, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150914190559/http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/slash-calls-guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy-a-great-statement-172820|archive-date=September 14, 2015}}</ref> He later said the album was "exactly what I thought it would sound like", with synthesizers and digital augmentations.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.torontosun.com/entertainment/music/2010/03/12/13212971.html|title=Banned Slash gear may be rumour: ex-GNR guitarist|newspaper=[[Toronto Sun]]|date=March 12, 2010|access-date=March 31, 2010|url-status=dead|last=Stevenson|first=Jane|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100314011652/http://www.torontosun.com/entertainment/music/2010/03/12/13212971.html|archive-date=March 14, 2010}}</ref> After rejoining the band for the [[Not in This Lifetime... Tour]] in 2016, Slash complimented Buckethead's guitar parts and spoke of the album in a 2018 interview: "It is very different. It's really cool stuff, but it was played by guitar players that are very different from me, style-wise... I also want to give credit where credit's due—the guitar players that played on ''Chinese Democracy''... are fucking amazing."<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/slash_on_gnrs_chinese_democracy_buckethead_is_a_fucking_amazing_player.html |title=Slash on GN'R's 'Chinese Democracy': Buckethead Is a Fucking Amazing Player |last=jomatami |date=October 8, 2018 |website=[[Ultimate Guitar]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181113075511/https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/slash_on_gnrs_chinese_democracy_buckethead_is_a_fucking_amazing_player.html |archive-date=November 13, 2018 |url-status=live |access-date=November 13, 2018}}</ref> [[Izzy Stradlin]] said, "I have listened to some tracks off the record and I enjoyed them," and "I like what I've heard."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/ex-guns-n-roses-guitarist-izzy-stradlin-is-a-fan-of-chinese-democracy/|title=Ex Guns N' Roses Guitarist Izzy Stradlin Is A Fan Of 'Chinese Democracy'|date=November 14, 2008|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|first=Borivoj |last=Krgin|access-date=June 4, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924140748/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/ex-guns-n-roses-guitarist-izzy-stradlin-is-a-fan-of-chinese-democracy/|archive-date=September 24, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/steven-adler-and-izzy-stradlin-weigh-in-on-chinese-democracy-20081117|title=Steven Adler and Izzy Stradlin Weigh in on "Chinese Democracy"|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=June 4, 2015|date=November 17, 2008|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924210605/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/steven-adler-and-izzy-stradlin-weigh-in-on-chinese-democracy-20081117|archive-date=September 24, 2015}}</ref> [[Duff McKagan]] said: "I was glad to hear Axl's voice, I've always been a fan of his voice. I'm not listening to it for it to sound like anything I was part of, because I know it's not that. I think Axl sang his ass off. He made the record he wanted to make and I'm happy for him. I thought he did a great job."<ref>{{cite journal|first= Jon |last= Hotten |title= Q&A: Duff McKagan |journal= [[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]] |date= June 2009 |page= 40}}</ref> [[Matt Sorum]] said he was "pleasantly surprised" by the title track, and called the album a "toe-tapper".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.tmz.com/2008/11/27/sorum-has-an-axl-to-grind/ |title=Former G'N'R Drummer Has Axl to Grind |date=November 27, 2008 |website=[[TMZ]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160621223403/http://www.tmz.com/2008/11/27/sorum-has-an-axl-to-grind/ |archive-date=June 21, 2016 |url-status=live |access-date=June 7, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/matt-sorum-says-he-was-pleasantly-surprised-by-chinese-democracy-single/|title=MATT SORUM Says He Was 'Pleasantly Surprised' By 'Chinese Democracy' Single|date=November 24, 2008|website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET}}</ref> [[Gilby Clarke]] said: "I think it's a really good record—I honestly do... Knowing [the] direction [in which] he wanted to take the band, I think he hit the nail on the head; I think he did a great job".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.gnrfrance.net/actualites-news-guns-n-roses/interview-de-gilby-clarke-ancien-guitariste-de-guns-n-roses-par-gnr-france-et-slash-france-a-savigny-le-temple-1816.htm |title=Interview de Gilby Clarke, ancien guitariste de Guns N' Roses, par GN'R France et Slash France, à Savigny le Temple |date=February 15, 2012 |trans-title=Interview of Gilby Clarke, former guitarist of Guns N 'Roses, by GN'R France and Slash France, at Savigny le Temple|language=fr|website=GNRFrance.net |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180607094959/https://www.gnrfrance.net/actualites-news-guns-n-roses/interview-de-gilby-clarke-ancien-guitariste-de-guns-n-roses-par-gnr-france-et-slash-france-a-savigny-le-temple-1816.htm |archive-date=June 7, 2018 |url-status=live |access-date=June 7, 2018}}</ref> [[Steven Adler]], asked if he liked the album, said, "Not one bit. I didn't recognize Axl's voice on it. There's occasional parts where he does his loud scream but I didn't even know it was him."<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.beat.com.au/article.php?id=1978 |title=Beat Interview: Steven Adler |last=Linardos |first=Kosta |date=May 20, 2009 |website=Beat.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090608025926/http://www.beat.com.au/article.php?id=1978 |archive-date=June 8, 2009 |url-status=dead |access-date=June 7, 2018}}</ref> He also criticized labeling the album as Guns N' Roses, stating it should have been released as an Axl Rose solo album.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wrif.com/episodes/radio-chatter-steven-adler/|title=Radio Chatter with Steven Adler|website=WRIF Rocks Detroit|date=June 7, 2018 }}</ref> Founding Guns N' Roses guitarist [[Tracii Guns]] found it "over-indulgent, sterile and not that exciting".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://noisecreep.com/tracii-guns-chinese-democracy-not-a-brilliant-guns-n-roses-r/|title=Tracii Guns: 'Chinese Democracy' Not a Brilliant Guns n' Roses Release|work=Noisecreep|date=April 14, 2009 |access-date=June 4, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108203521/http://noisecreep.com/tracii-guns-chinese-democracy-not-a-brilliant-guns-n-roses-r/|archive-date=January 8, 2016}}</ref> ===Accolades=== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |+Accolades for ''Chinese Democracy'' ! scope="col"| Publication ! scope="col"| Accolade ! scope="col"| Year ! scope="col"| Rank ! scope="col" class="unsortable"| {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- !scope="row"| [[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |50 Best Albums of 2008 | 2008 | {{center|50}} | {{center|<ref name="ABCNEWSYE">{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/Music/story?id=6550512&page=1|title=The 50 Best Albums of 2008: Nos. 50 to 26|website=ABC News}}</ref>}} |- !scope="row"|''[[The Guardian]]'' |50 Albums of the Year |2008 |{{center|50}} |{{center|<ref name="GUARDBEST">{{Cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/dec/07/bon-iver-coldplay-best-albums|title=2008 review: 50 albums of the year|author=Guardian Staff|date=December 7, 2008|website=the Guardian}}</ref>}} |- !scope="row"| ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' |Top 50 Albums of 2008 | 2008 | {{center|12}} | {{center|<ref name="RSENDOF">{{Cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/40652/rolling_stones_top_50_albums_of_2008/news/|title=Rolling Stone's Top 50 Albums Of 2008|date=December 10, 2008}}</ref>}} |- !scope="row"|''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'' |The 40 Best albums of 2008 | 2008 |{{center|unranked}} |{{center|<ref name="SPINBEST">{{Cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2008/12/40-best-albums-2008/|title=The 40 Best Albums of 2008|date=December 31, 2008|website=Spin}}</ref>}} |- !scope="row"|''[[Ultimate Classic Rock]]'' | Top 10 Albums of 2008 |2008 |{{center|4}} |{{center|<ref name="UCRBEST">{{Cite web|url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/2008-albums/|title=Top 10 Albums of 2008|website=Ultimate Classic Rock|date=November 7, 2013 }}</ref>}} |} === Legacy === {{Music ratings | title = Retrospective reviews |rev1=[[ARTISTdirect]] |rev1score=very positive<ref name="ARTDIR"/> | rev2 = ''[[Martin Popoff|Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal]]'' | rev2score = 3/10<ref>{{cite book |last1=Popoff |first1=Martin |last2=Perri|first2=David|author-link1=Martin Popoff |title=The Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal: Volume 4: The '00s |publisher=[[Collector's Guide Publishing]] |year=2011 |location=[[Burlington, Ontario]], [[Canada]] |isbn=9781-926592-20-6 |page=196}}</ref> |rev3=''[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]]'' |rev3score={{rating|2.5|5}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Guns N' Roses: Chinese Democracy – Album Of The Week Club review |author= |work=loudersound |date=June 10, 2019 |access-date=September 22, 2021 |url= https://www.loudersound.com/reviews/guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy-album-of-the-week-club-review }}</ref> |rev4=''[[Decibel (magazine)|Decibel]]'' |rev4score=positive<ref>{{Cite web |title=Justify Your Shitty Taste: Guns N' Roses' "Chinese Democracy" – Decibel Magazine |first=Shawn |last=Macomber |work=Decibel Magazine |date=February 23, 2011 |access-date=September 22, 2021 |url= https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2011/02/23/justify-your-shitty-taste-guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy/ |quote=}}</ref> }} ''Chinese Democracy''{{'}}s protracted recording process attracted extensive media coverage.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|url=http://grantland.com/features/justin-timberlake-daft-punk-chinese-democracy-effect/|title=Building a Better Democracy|last=Hyden|first=Steven|date=July 23, 2013|work=Grantland|access-date=June 26, 2018|language=en-US|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150616055730/http://grantland.com/features/justin-timberlake-daft-punk-chinese-democracy-effect/|archive-date=June 16, 2015}}</ref> According to ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'', a cottage industry grew around covering its development; "the only way the record could have lived up to its legend would have been to never come out at all".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.spin.com/2008/11/last-chinese-democracy-blog-post-ever-probably/|title=The Last 'Chinese Democracy' Blog Post Ever, Probably|date=November 24, 2008|work=Spin|access-date=June 26, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626192505/https://www.spin.com/2008/11/last-chinese-democracy-blog-post-ever-probably/|archive-date=June 26, 2018}}</ref> Five years after its release, ''[[Grantland]]'' journalist Steven Hyden wrote: "For years, it was widely assumed ''Chinese Democracy'' would never come out; in retrospect, the delay is all anybody cares about ... As music, ''Chinese Democracy'' is merely the second-worst GNR record; as a figure of speech, it is shorthand for the grandest of boondoggles."<ref name=":3" /> Hyden wrote that the album had served as a lesson for acts who took years to release "comeback" albums, demonstrating the perils of allowing backstory to overshadow the work and failing to provide a familiar product. He compared ''Chinese Democracy'' to subsequent, successful comeback albums by acts including [[Daft Punk]], [[David Bowie]], [[Justin Timberlake]], and [[My Bloody Valentine (band)|My Bloody Valentine]], which were "more modest" and offered "well-trod musical territory associated with each artist".<ref name=":3" /> ''Ultimate Classic Rock'' noted the album's reception, stating "The fact that it was, by all standards, a fairly good album, was completely eclipsed by its backstory" and stating that artists such as Bowie, [[Steve Perry]], and [[Tool (band)|Tool]] used the album as an example "by keeping a low profile during production and staying relatively faithful to what fans expected" for long-awaited albums.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy-long-wait/|title=The Long Wait for Guns N' Roses' 'Chinese Democracy'|website=Ultimate Classic Rock|date=November 23, 2018 }}</ref> Multiple publications have used ''Chinese Democracy'' as a noun when describing other long-delayed albums.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/is-limp-bizkits-still-sucks-album-worth-the-10-year-wait|title=Is Limp Bizkit's Still Sucks album worth the 10-year wait?|first=Stephen|last=Hill|date=November 1, 2021|website=louder}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/chinese-democracy-peter-gabriel-albums-finally-coming-out-1234656806/|title=The 'Chinese Democracy' of Peter Gabriel Albums Is Finally Coming Out|first=Andy|last=Greene|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=January 6, 2023}}</ref> ''The New York Times'' saw the album as a "loud last gasp from the reign of the indulged pop star"; where Rose had once commanded "loyal audiences, bountiful royalties, escalating ambitions and dangerously open-ended deadlines", the music business in the early 21st century had become "leaner" and "leakier".<ref name="Pareles"/> [[Jim DeRogatis]] compared the album to the movie ''[[The Godfather Part III]]'', claiming it was a "late-career installment in a beloved franchise that we never thought we'd see," but lamenting that it was "nowhere near enough to stand as an equal artistic accomplishment."<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.jimdero.com/News2008/Chinese%20Democracy.htm |title=Guns N' Roses, "Chinese Democracy |last=Jim |first=DeRogatis |date=November 18, 2008}}</ref> In 2012, ''[[Complex Networks|Complex]]'' named ''Chinese Democracy'' among the "50 Albums That Were Unfairly Hated On", praising Roses's vocals and the musicianship of the band and stating that the album's biggest flaw was the delays in release.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/daniel-margolis/50-albums-that-were-unfairly-hated-on|title=50 Albums That Were Unfairly Hated On|first=Daniel|last=Margolis|website=Complex}}</ref> In a 2015 review inducting the album into their "New Classic Albums" category, [[Artistdirect]] praised the album, calling it "a timeless work of art".<ref name="ARTDIR">{{cite web|url=https://www.artistdirect.com/guns-n-roses/news/new-classic-album-guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy/87080|title=New Classic Album: Guns N' Roses – 'Chinese Democracy'|date=April 29, 2015|work=[[Artistdirect]]|access-date=June 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150503032349/http://www.artistdirect.com/entertainment-news/article/new-classic-album-guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy/11696634|archive-date=May 3, 2015 |last1=Direct |first1=Artist }}</ref> In a 2018 look back, ''Billboard'' called the album a "sonic anomaly" of the time due to the mixing and lack of compression making it sound "vintage or alien to rock music fans".<ref name="CD2018"/> A 2018 retrospective review by ''No Recess'' magazine compared the album to "their own version of [[Danzig (band)|Danzig]]'s [[Blackacidevil]]", stating "[After the '90s] the only thing left was to repeat or radically reinvent themselves. Chinese Democracy tries to do both, to varying degrees of 'okay, sure'."<ref name="NOREC">{{Cite web |title=Convolution Is Everything: A Meditation on Chinese Democracy |author=James Greene Jr. |work=norecessmagazine |date=November 23, 2018 |access-date=September 22, 2021 |url= https://www.norecessmagazine.com/single-post/2018/11/23/convolution-is-everything-a-meditation-on-chinese-democracy }}</ref> ''Loudwire'', although ranking the album second to last out of Guns N' Roses studio albums, wrote that there "was a lot of expectation and backlash built up before release" and highlighted "[[Better (Guns N' Roses song)|Better]]", "[[Madagascar (song)|Madagascar]]", "[[Street of Dreams (Guns N' Roses song)|Street of Dreams]]", "[[Shackler's Revenge]]" and "Catcher in the Rye" as standouts.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/guns-n-roses-albums-ranked/|title=Guns N' Roses Albums Ranked|author=Loudwire Staff|date=August 25, 2016|website=Loudwire}}</ref> ''[[NME]]'' ranked the album last, stating "if you make your fans wait nearly two decades for a record, it's probably going to have to be the best record ever made to impress anyone. ''Chinese Democracy'' wasn't that, but nor was it the worst thing ever either. Instead, it was what you might have expected—epic, overblown and full of noodling guitar solos."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/guns-n-roses-rank-albums-1898913|title=Guns N' Roses – Rank The Albums|first=Rhian|last=Daly|website=[[NME]] |date=December 7, 2016}}</ref> In 2021, ''Ultimate Guitar'' called the album "unfairly maligned" while highlighting "There Was a Time" as the standout track.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/underrated-guns-n-roses/|title=Underrated Guns N' Roses: Most Overlooked Song From Each Album|first=Bryan|last=Rolli|website=Ultimate Classic Rock|date=April 28, 2021 }}</ref> ''Ultimate Classic Rock'' also highlighted "There Was a Time", and wrote: "At its best, Chinese Democracy recaptures the metallic thunder and epic grandeur of GN'R's heyday."<ref name="UCR21">{{Cite web|url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/underrated-guns-n-roses/|title=Underrated Guns N' Roses: Most Overlooked Song From Each Album|first=Bryan|last=Rolli|date=April 28, 2021|website=Ultimate Classic Rock}}</ref> Journalist [[Gary Graff]] wrote "its sprawling, indulgent insanity is maybe even more fun to hear now than it was at the time" after re-listening to the album in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy-45-minutes/|title=Slashing 'Chinese Democracy' to 45 Minutes: Roundtable|first=Ultimate Classic Rock StaffUltimate Classic Rock|last=Staff|website=Ultimate Classic Rock|date=November 23, 2021 }}</ref> In 2022, ''Loudwire'' placed the album on a list of "10 Hated Rock + Metal Albums That Are Better Than You Remember", stating "it may be a mess, but there are still some great jams here."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/avenged-sevenfold-m-shadows-guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy-album-deserves-more-credit/|title=Avenged Sevenfold's M. Shadows Believes One Guns N' Roses Album Deserves More Credit|first=Chad|last=Childers|website=Loudwire|date=June 28, 2022 }}</ref> ''Rolling Stone''{{'}}s Joseph Hudak referred to the album as "criminally under-appreciated" and listed "Catcher in the Rye" as the standout track in 2023.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/guns-n-roses-perhaps-axl-rose-1234808408/|title=Axl Rose Empathizes, Apologizes in New Guns N' Roses Song 'Perhaps'|first=Joseph|last=Hudak|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=August 18, 2023}}</ref> When listing "The 50 Worst Decisions in Music History" in a 2022 article, ''Rolling Stone''{{'}}s Andy Greene listed "Guns N' Roses begin work on ''Chinese Democracy''" as 29th, saying "Axl and a rotating crew of new gunners spent nearly 15 years laboring away at ''Chinese Democracy'', burning untold millions of dollars and an incalculable amount of fan goodwill in the process... When it finally came out in 2008, few fans were still paying attention. A little patience is one thing. Nearly 20 years is something else."<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Greene |first=Andy |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/worst-decisions-in-music-history-1234626744/chinese-democracy-2007-1234629451/ |title=The 50 Worst Decisions in Music History |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |publisher=Brian Szejka |date=November 28, 2022 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129010337/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/worst-decisions-in-music-history-1234626744/chinese-democracy-2007-1234629451/ |archivedate=November 29, 2022 }}</ref> In 2024, Greene ranked the album 4th in ''Rolling Stone''{{'}}s list of "The 50 Most Disappointing Albums" saying "Despite a handful of strong songs [...] the album is ludicrously overcooked".<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/most-disappointing-albums-ever-1235111528/guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy-1235112336/|title=The 50 Most Disappointing Albums of All Time|first=Andy|last=Greene|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=October 11, 2024}}</ref> In 2025, former Guns N' Roses band manager [[Alan Niven]] dismissed the album as an "Axl solo record masquerading under a GN'R logo" and said "The biggest sin of the record was that it was boring".<ref>[https://metalinjection.net/news/guns-n-roses-most-controversial-album-wasnt-bad-it-was-boring-says-former-manager GUNS N' ROSES' Most Controversial Album Wasn't Bad — It Was Boring, Says Former Manager]</ref> ==Sales== [[file:Chinese Democracy Promo Box.jpg|thumb|The contents of the deluxe edition of ''Chinese Democracy'']] Best Buy purchased 1.3 million copies of ''Chinese Democracy'' from [[UMG]] for $14 million<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy-can-now-be-yours-for-just/|title=GUNS N' ROSES' 'Chinese Democracy' Can Now Be Yours For Just $1.99|date=March 25, 2011|website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET}}</ref> (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|14000000|2008}}}} in current dollar terms) before release and pledged not to return unsold copies.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/why-black-ice-beat-chinese-democracy-the-tale-of-wal-mart-vs-best-buy-20081218|title=Why "Black Ice" Beat "Chinese Democracy": The Tale of Wal-Mart Vs. Best Buy|date=December 18, 2008|last=Kreps|first=Daniel|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|access-date=September 10, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151125012827/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/why-black-ice-beat-chinese-democracy-the-tale-of-wal-mart-vs-best-buy-20081218|archive-date=November 25, 2015}}</ref> The album was released on November 22, 2008, in Germany,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.digijunkies.de/guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy-schon-ab-dem-2211-4633 |title=Guns N' Roses: Chinese Democracy schon ab dem 22.11. |trans-title=Guns N 'Roses : Chinese Democracy already from 22:11 |author=Kiki|language=de |publisher=DigiJunkies |date=October 31, 2008 |access-date=August 5, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725120236/http://www.digijunkies.de/guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy-schon-ab-dem-2211-4633 |archive-date=July 25, 2015 }}</ref> Switzerland,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cede.ch/de/music-cd/frames/right.cfm?aobj=577685 |title=Chinese Democracy|language=de |publisher=Cede.ch |access-date=November 11, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726180922/http://www.cede.ch/de/music-cd/frames/right.cfm?aobj=577685 |archive-date=July 26, 2011 }}</ref> and Austria.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://diepresse.com/home/kultur/popco/430377/Guns-n-Roses-toppen-iTunesCharts |title="Chinese Democracy": Guns n' Roses toppen iTunes-Charts |language=de |trans-title="Chinese Democracy": Guns n' Roses topped iTunes charts |date=November 14, 2008 |work=[[Die Presse]] |access-date=November 11, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121009174923/http://diepresse.com/home/kultur/popco/430377/Guns-n-Roses-toppen-iTunesCharts |archive-date=October 9, 2012 }}</ref> It was released the following day worldwide, except for the United Kingdom, where it was released on November 24.<ref name="rs 22 october">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2008/10/22/guns-n-roses-management-officially-announce-chinese-democracy-release/ |title=Guns N' Roses Management Officially Announces "Chinese Democracy" Release, Formats |access-date=October 22, 2008 |date=October 22, 2008 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081025005730/http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2008/10/22/guns-n-roses-management-officially-announce-chinese-democracy-release/ |archive-date=October 25, 2008 }}</ref> ''Chinese Democracy'' debuted at number three on the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] chart, selling 261,000 copies in its first week, well below expectations.<ref name="Yawn">{{cite news |last=Steffen |first=Chris |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/chinese-democracy-hits-best-buys-in-new-york-with-a-yawn-20081124 |title=Chinese Democracy hits Best Buy in New York with a yawn |work=[[Rolling Stone (magazine)|Rolling Stone]] |date=November 24, 2008 |access-date=August 7, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150801194628/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/chinese-democracy-hits-best-buys-in-new-york-with-a-yawn-20081124 |archive-date=August 1, 2015 }}</ref><ref name="261,000">{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/266178/kanye-guns-n-roses-post-slow-debut-week-sales |title=Kanye, Guns N' Roses Post Slow Debut-Week Sales |last=Christman |first=Ed |date=December 1, 2008 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160813192147/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/266178/kanye-guns-n-roses-post-slow-debut-week-sales |archive-date=August 13, 2016 |url-status=live |access-date=June 7, 2018}}</ref><ref name="billboard">{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/266167/kanye-edges-gnr-ludacris-for-no-1-debut |title=Kanye Edges GNR, Ludacris For No. 1 Debut |last=Hasty |first=Katie |date=December 3, 2018 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170704234743/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/266167/kanye-edges-gnr-ludacris-for-no-1-debut |archive-date=July 4, 2017 |url-status=live |access-date=June 7, 2018 }}</ref><ref name="The Sun">{{cite news |url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/gunning-for-a-missing-axl/news-story/0636330402d04fa081e1ae10aa1572c2?sv=255d88086535a0da44590f301cf088f1 |title=Gunning for a missing Axl |work=[[Herald Sun]] |publisher=[[The Herald and Weekly Times]] |date=December 3, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181230030323/https://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/gunning-for-a-missing-axl/news-story/0636330402d04fa081e1ae10aa1572c2?sv=255d88086535a0da44590f301cf088f1 |archive-date=December 30, 2018 |access-date=January 28, 2020 }}</ref> It debuted at number two on the [[UK Albums Chart]].<ref name="UK albums">{{cite news|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-pop-charts-idUKTRE4AT2BH20081130|title=Take That top singles chart for 11th time|last=Prenesti|first=Frank|date=November 30, 2008|access-date=December 1, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016174543/http://uk.reuters.com/article/2008/11/30/uk-britain-pop-charts-idUKTRE4AT2BH20081130|archive-date=October 16, 2012|url-status=dead|work=[[Reuters]]}}</ref> Second-week US sales dropped significantly and it fell from #3 to #18 on the ''Billboard'' chart: a 78% drop.<ref name="long wait">{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-dec-13-et-chinese13-story.html|title=A long wait, a fast fall|first=Randy|last=Lewis|date=December 13, 2008|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=July 25, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20120315224253/http://articles.latimes.com/2008/dec/13/entertainment/et-chinese13|archive-date=March 15, 2012}}</ref> The programming director at [[KLOS-FM]] said the low sales were due to the holiday season release and lackluster lead single,<ref name="long wait" /> while [[Reuters]] blamed the Best Buy exclusive deal for lower-than-expected sales in the US.<ref>{{Cite web |title="Chinese Democracy" shows limits of retail exclusives |last=Christman |first=Ed |work=U.S. |date=December 12, 2008 |access-date=September 22, 2021 |url= https://www.reuters.com/article/us-retail/chinese-democracy-shows-limits-of-retail-exclusives-idUSTRE4BC06C20081213 |quote=}}</ref> Critics also cited Rose's lack of promotional appearances as a factor.<ref name="long wait" /><ref>{{cite news | last = Bingham | first = John | title = Axl Rose absence blamed for failure of Chinese Democracy to hit top spot | newspaper =[[The Daily Telegraph]] | date = December 2, 2008 | access-date = June 10, 2011 | url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/3541076/Axl-Rose-absence-blamed-for-failure-of-Chinese-Democracy-to-hit-top-spot.html | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140707105332/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/3541076/Axl-Rose-absence-blamed-for-failure-of-Chinese-Democracy-to-hit-top-spot.html | archive-date = July 7, 2014 }}</ref> After selling 21,000 copies in its sixth week and charting at #30, ''Chinese Democracy'' was certified Gold, passing the 500,000-shipped mark on January 7, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy-officially-passes-500-000-sales-mark-in-u-s/|title=Guns N' Roses: 'Chinese Democracy' Officially Passes 500,000 Sales Mark In U.S.|date=January 7, 2009|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=July 25, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725015655/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy-officially-passes-500-000-sales-mark-in-u-s/|archive-date=July 25, 2015|first=Borivoj|last=Krgin}}</ref> It was certified [[Music recording sales certification|Platinum]] by the RIAA on February 3, 2009, having shipped one million copies in the United States.<ref name="Certification">{{cite web| url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=chinese+democracy#search_section| title=Gold & Platinum |work=[[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]]| access-date=January 7, 2016| url-status=live| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108203521/http://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=chinese+democracy#search_section| archive-date=January 8, 2016}}</ref><ref name="Rose Speaks">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/269462/the-billboard-qa-axl-rose |title=The Billboard Q&A: Axl Rose |last1=Cohen |first1=Jonathan|author-link=Jonathan Cohen (television executive)|date=February 6, 2009 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|publisher=Prometheus Global Media |access-date=April 30, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150407074907/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/269462/the-billboard-qa-axl-rose |archive-date=April 7, 2015 }}</ref> It placed 55th on the 2009 Billboard 200 Year End charts.<ref name="2009 ye">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2009/top-billboard-200-albums|title=Year-End Charts Billboard 200 Albums|date=2010|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|publisher=Prometheus Global Media |access-date=July 25, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150228075838/http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2009/top-billboard-200-albums|archive-date=February 28, 2015}}</ref> ''Chinese Democracy'' won an IFPI European Platinum Award, having sold more than one million copies in Europe,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ifpi.org/content/section_news/plat_month_20090129.html |title=IFPI Platinum Europe Awards – Q4 2008 |work=[[International Federation of the Phonographic Industry|IFPI]]|date=September 1, 2005 |access-date=November 11, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100724113249/http://www.ifpi.org/content/section_news/plat_month_20090129.html |archive-date=July 24, 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ifpi.org/content/section_news/ifpi_awards.html |title=IFPI Awards |work=[[International Federation of the Phonographic Industry|IFPI]]|date=September 1, 2005 |access-date=November 11, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100729114236/http://www.ifpi.org/content/section_news/ifpi_awards.html |archive-date=July 29, 2010 }}</ref> and had sold 2.6 million units worldwide by February 2009, according to Universal Music.<ref name="Rose Speaks"/> It reached triple platinum certification in Canada and was awarded platinum certifications in many countries including Finland, the Czech Republic, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Poland, Romania, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.<ref name="net"/> It was certified gold in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Greece, Hungary, the Netherlands, Sweden, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Brazil, and Colombia.<ref name="net">{{cite news |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/guns-n-roses-to-tour-south-america-in-march-april/ |title=GUNS N' ROSES To Tour South America in March/April |work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|first=Borivoj |last=Krgin |date=November 26, 2009 |access-date=August 7, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725111931/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/guns-n-roses-to-tour-south-america-in-march-april/ |archive-date=July 25, 2015}}</ref> After Best Buy put the album on [[Closeout (sale)|clearance]] for $2 in April 2011, it re-entered the US ''Billboard'' 200 chart in the week ending April 3, 2011, at #198, selling 3,200 copies. By then, the album had sold 614,000 copies in the US, according to [[Nielsen Soundscan]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.hennemusic.com/2011/04/guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy-re.html |title=Guns N' Roses: "Chinese Democracy" re-enters US charts |last=Henne |first=Bruce |date=April 8, 2011 |website=Henne Music |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110905040312/http://www.hennemusic.com/2011/04/guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy-re.html |archive-date=September 5, 2011 |url-status=live |access-date=December 29, 2018}}</ref> In the UK, it had sold 365,899 copies by July 2014.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2014/jul/09/robin-thicke-five-blockbuster-albums-that-bombed-jagger-carey-duffy-guns-n-roses-glasvegas |title=From Robin Thicke to Mariah and Mick: five blockbuster albums that bombed |first=Eamonn|last=Forde |date=July 9, 2014 |work=[[The Guardian]]|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150823013346/http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2014/jul/09/robin-thicke-five-blockbuster-albums-that-bombed-jagger-carey-duffy-guns-n-roses-glasvegas |archive-date=August 23, 2015 }}</ref> After the 2016 [[Not in This Lifetime... Tour]] (during which most songs from the album were played), ''Billboard'' reported the album's digital streams jumped from 8 million streams to 24 million, as well as 7,900 additional copies sold.<ref name="CD2018"/> ==Track listing== Songwriting credits via [[American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers|ASCAP]]. {{Track listing | headline = ''Chinese Democracy'' track listing | all_lyrics = [[Axl Rose|W. Axl Rose]]. "Madagascar" contains samples of speeches written by [[Martin Luther King Jr.]] | total_length = 71:18 | title1 = [[Chinese Democracy (song)|Chinese Democracy]] | music1 = {{hlist|Rose|[[Josh Freese|Joshua Freese]]|[[Paul Tobias]]|[[Tommy Stinson|Thomas Stinson]]|[[Dizzy Reed|Darren Reed]]|[[Robin Finck|Robert Finck]]|Caram Costanzo|[[Eric Caudieux]]}} | length1 = 4:43 | title2 = [[Shackler's Revenge]] | music2 = {{hlist|Rose|Finck|[[Buckethead|Brian Carroll]]|Costanzo|[[Brain (musician)|Bryan Mantia]]|Peter Scaturro}} | length2 = 3:37 | title3 = [[Better (Guns N' Roses song)|Better]] | music3 = {{hlist|Rose|Finck}} | length3 = 4:58 | title4 = [[Street of Dreams (Guns N' Roses song)|Street of Dreams]] | music4 = {{hlist|Rose|Finck|Reed|Stinson|Tobias}} | length4 = 4:46 | title5 = If the World | music5 = {{hlist|Rose|[[Chris Pitman]]}} | length5 = 4:54 | title6 = [[There Was a Time (Guns N' Roses song)|There Was a Time]] | music6 = {{hlist|Rose|Tobias|Reed|Stinson}} | length6 = 6:41 | title7 = Catcher in the Rye | music7 = {{hlist|Rose|Stinson|Reed|Finck|Tobias}} | length7 = 5:53 | title8 = Scraped | music8 = {{hlist|Rose|Carroll|Costanzo}} | length8 = 3:30 | title9 = Riad N' the Bedouins | music9 = {{hlist|Rose|Finck|Reed|Stinson|Tobias}} | length9 = 4:10 | title10 = Sorry | music10 = {{hlist|Rose|Carroll|Mantia|Scaturro}} | length10 = 6:14 | title11 = I.R.S. | music11 = {{hlist|Rose|Tobias|Reed}} | length11 = 4:28 | title12 = [[Madagascar (song)|Madagascar]] | music12 = {{hlist|Rose|Pitman}} | length12 = 5:38 | title13 = This I Love | music13 = Rose | length13 = 5:34 | title14 = [[Prostitute (song)|Prostitute]] | music14 = {{hlist|Rose|Finck|Tobias}} | length14 = 6:15 }} ==Personnel== Credits adapted from the album's liner notes.<ref name="CDCredits">{{cite AV media notes |title=Chinese Democracy |others=[[Guns N' Roses]] |year=2008 |author=[[Geffen Records]] |publisher=Geffen Records }}</ref> {{col-begin}} {{col-2}} '''Guns N' Roses''' *[[Axl Rose]] – lead vocals (all tracks), keyboards (tracks 1, 6 and 13), synthesizers (tracks 6, 12 and 13), piano (tracks 7, 13 and 14), rhythm guitar (tracks 6 and 12), [[Sampling (music)|samples]] (track 12), [[arrangement]]s and [[Audio editing software|digital editing]] (all tracks), production, [[Logic Pro]] engineering, [[Audio mixing (recorded music)|mixing]], art direction (Alternative booklets) *[[Robin Finck]] – lead and rhythm guitar (all tracks), guitar solos (all tracks except 2), keyboards (tracks 3 and 5), acoustic guitar (track 10), arrangements, editing and initial production (track 3) *[[Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal|Bumblefoot]] – lead and rhythm guitar (all tracks), guitar solos (track 2) *[[Buckethead]] – lead and rhythm guitar (all tracks except 7 and 13), guitar solos (all tracks except 2), acoustic guitar (track 5), arrangements (tracks 2, 8 and 10) *[[Paul Tobias]] – rhythm guitar (tracks 1, 3–7, 9, 11, 12 and 14), piano (track 6), arrangements (tracks 1 and 11) *[[Richard Fortus]] – rhythm guitar (tracks 1, 3–4, 6 and 14) *[[Tommy Stinson]] – bass guitar (all tracks except 5), backing vocals (tracks 1, 3, 4, 6 and 9), arrangements (track 9) *[[Brain (musician)|Brain]] – drums (all tracks except 1), arrangements (tracks 2–4, 6, 10, 12 and 14), initial production (tracks 2 and 10), engineering (track 10), drum machine and drum programming (track 11), Logic Pro engineering *[[Frank Ferrer]] – drums (tracks 1, 3, 5, 6 and 11) *[[Dizzy Reed]] – keyboards (tracks 1–4, 6–9, 11 and 14), backing vocals (tracks 1, 3, 4, 6 and 9), synthesizers (tracks 4, 6, 13 and 14), piano (tracks 4 and 5), arrangements (tracks 4, 6, 12 and 14), Logic Pro engineering *[[Chris Pitman]] – keyboards (tracks 1–8, 10, 12 and 13), [[sub-bass]] (all tracks), synthesizers (tracks 4, 6, 13 and 14), bass and drum [[Programming (music)|programming]] (tracks 5, 6 and 12), backing vocals (tracks 1, 3 and 6), twelve-string guitar (track 11), drum machine and string machine (track 5), [[Mellotron]] (track 6), arrangements (tracks 5, 6, 12, 13), digital editing (tracks 5, 12 and 13), engineering (track 1), additional production, Logic Pro engineering *[[Josh Freese]] – arrangements (tracks 4, 6, 9 and 14) {{col-2}} '''Additional musicians''' *[[Marco Beltrami]] – orchestra and arrangements (tracks 4, 6 and 12–14) *[[Paul Buckmaster]] – orchestra and arrangements (tracks 4, 6, 12 and 14) *Suzy Katayama – arrangements (tracks 6, 12 and 13), [[French horn]] (track 12) *[[Sebastian Bach]] – backing vocals (track 10) *Patti Hood – harp (track 13) '''Design''' *Ryan Corey – [[Art director|art direction]], design *Somyot Hananuntasuk – illustrations *Sasha Volkova – illustration *Terry Hardin – cover photography *George Chin – photography *Shi Lifeng – artwork (Red Star; 'Controlling' alternate Red Hand cover) *Illustrations (alternate booklets): Lie Yuan, He An, Jiang Congi, Kevin Zuckerman, Lian Xue Ming, Anton S. Kandinsky, Marat Bekeev, Xiao Ping, Lou Jie, Sandra Yagi, Socar Myles, Rankin, Johnie Hurtig, Gloria Gaddis {{col-end}} '''Production''' {{div col}} *Caram Costanzo – engineering and digital editing <small>(all tracks)</small>, arrangements <small>(tracks 2, 3, 6, 8 and 14)</small>, initial production <small>(track 8)</small>, sub drums <small>(track 13)</small>, production, mixing *[[Roy Thomas Baker]] – additional production and preproduction *Engineering: Jeff "Critter" Newell, [[Dan Monti]], Jeremy Blair *[[Eric Caudieux]] – digital editing <small>(all tracks)</small>, drum machine and drum programming <small>(track 5)</small>, arrangements <small>(tracks 6)</small>, sub drums <small>(track 13)</small>, additional production, Pro Tools engineering *[[Sean Beavan]] – recording and digital editing <small>(tracks 1, 4–6, 9, 11, 12 and 14)</small>, arrangements <small>(tracks 1, 4, 6, 9 and 11)</small>, initial production <small>(tracks 4–6, 11 and 12)</small>, additional production *[[Youth (musician)|Youth]] – initial arrangement suggestions, Additional Demo Pre-production <small>(track 12)</small> *Pete Scaturro – arrangements and initial production <small>(tracks 2 and 10)</small>, keyboards, digital editing and engineering <small>(track 10)</small> *[[Billy Howerdel]] – recording and editing <small>(track 6)</small>, Logic Pro engineering *Stuart White – Logic Pro engineering *John O'Mahony – Pro Tools mixing *Engineering Assistance: Okhee Kim, Andy Gwynn, Brian Monteath, Dave Dominguez, Jose Borges, Joe Peluso, Christian Baker, James Musshorn, Jan Petrov, Jeff Robinette, Bob Koszela, Paul Payne, Mark Gray, Xavier Albira, Dror Mohar, Eric Tabala, Shawn Berman, Donald Clark, Shinnosuke Miyazawa, Vanessa Parr, John Beene, Al Perrotta *Additional Pro Tools: Greg Morgenstein, Paul DeCarli, Billy Bowers, Justin Walden, Rail Jon Rogut, Isaac Abolin *[[Andy Wallace (producer)|Andy Wallace]] – mixing *Mixing Assistance: Mike Scielzi, Paul Suarez *[[Bob Ludwig]] – [[Audio mastering|mastering]] {{div col end}} ==Charts== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}} ===Weekly charts=== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |+Weekly chart performance for ''Chinese Democracy'' !scope="col"|Chart (2008) !scope="col"|Peak<br />position |- ! scope="row"| Argentine Albums ([[Argentine Chamber of Phonograms and Videograms Producers|CAPIF]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.capif.org.ar/default.asp?CodOp=ESCS&CO=6 |publisher=CAPIF |access-date=December 5, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20081221025455/http://www.capif.org.ar/default.asp?CodOp=ESCS&CO=6 |archive-date=December 21, 2008|title=Representando a la Industria Argentina De La Musica: Ranking Semenal desde 07/12/2008 hasta 13/12/2008|language=es-AR|trans-title=Representing Argentina's Music Industry: Semenal Ranking from December 7, 2008 to December 13, 2008}}</ref> | style="text-align:center;"|1 |- {{album chart|Australia|3|artist=Guns N' Roses|album=Chinese Democracy|rowheader=true}} |- {{album chart|Austria|3|artist=Guns N' Roses|album=Chinese Democracy|rowheader=true}} |- {{album chart|Flanders|4|artist=Guns N' Roses|album=Chinese Democracy|rowheader=true}} |- {{album chart|Wallonia|19|artist=Guns N' Roses|album=Chinese Democracy|rowheader=true}} |- {{album chart|BillboardCanada|1|artist=Guns N Roses|rowheader=true}} |- {{album chart|Denmark|6|artist=Guns N' Roses|album=Chinese Democracy|rowheader=true}} |- {{album chart|Netherlands|4|artist=Guns N' Roses|album=Chinese Democracy|rowheader=true}} |- ! scope="row"| [[European Top 100 Albums|European Top 100]]<ref name="Euro">{{cite magazine |last=Sexton |first=Paul |url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/industry/e3ie5e8a23067b19667be19be70de2f5650 |title='Chinese Democracy' Fires GNR To Euro Albums Summit |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |location=London |date=December 4, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206235839/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/industry/e3ie5e8a23067b19667be19be70de2f5650 |archive-date=December 6, 2008 |access-date=January 28, 2020|url-status=dead }}</ref> | style="text-align:center;"|1 |- {{album chart|Finland|1|artist=Guns N' Roses|album=Chinese Democracy|rowheader=true}} |- {{album chart|France|10|artist=Guns N' Roses|album=Chinese Democracy|rowheader=true}} |- {{album chart|Germany4|id=101041|2|artist=Guns N' Roses|album=Chinese Democracy|rowheader=true|access-date=November 16, 2021}} |- ! scope="row"| Greek Albums<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ifpi.gr/chart04.htm |title=Top 50 Ελληνικών και Ξένων Αλμπουμ: Εβδομάδα 49/2008 |publisher=ifpi.gr |access-date=December 16, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216004412/http://www.ifpi.gr/chart04.htm |archive-date=December 16, 2008 |trans-title=Top 50 Greek and Foreign Albums: Week 49/2008|language=el}}</ref> | style="text-align:center;"|10 |- ! scope="row"| Hungarian Albums Chart<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://zene.slagerlistak.hu/top-40-album-dvd-es-valogataslemez-lista/2008/48 |title=Top 40 album-, DVD- és válogatáslemez-lista |website=Zene.slagerlistak.hu |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180517192343/http://zene.slagerlistak.hu/top-40-album-dvd-es-valogataslemez-lista/2008/48 |archive-date=May 17, 2018 |url-status=live |access-date=May 17, 2018|language=hu|trans-title=Top 40 Album, DVD and Selection Lists: November 24, 2008 – November 30, 2008}}</ref> | style="text-align:center;"|4 |- {{album chart|Ireland2|3|artist=Guns N' Roses|rowheader=true|access-date=October 5, 2023}} |- ! scope="row"| Israeli Albums Chart<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicaneto.com/best_sellings.asp?counter=1 |title= מצעד המכירות|publisher=Musicaneto.com|access-date=December 1, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216043228/http://www.musicaneto.com/best_sellings.asp?counter=1 |archive-date=December 16, 2008 |trans-title=Sales March|language=he }}</ref> | style="text-align:center;"|3 |- {{album chart|Italy|3|artist=Guns N' Roses|album=Chinese Democracy|rowheader=true}} |- ! scope="row"| Japanese [[Oricon]] Albums Chart<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/music/release/d/795433/1/ |title=チャイニーズ・デモクラシー/ガンズ・アンド・ローゼズ|trans-title=Chinese Democracy / Guns N 'Roses |publisher=Oricon |access-date=October 7, 2009 |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081217151410/http://www.oricon.co.jp/music/release/d/795433/1/ |archive-date=December 17, 2008 }}</ref> | style="text-align:center;"|3 |- {{album chart|Mexico|4|artist=Guns N' Roses|album=Chinese Democracy|rowheader=true}} |- {{album chart|New Zealand|1|artist=Guns N' Roses|album=Chinese Democracy|rowheader=true}} |- {{album chart|Norway|2|artist=Guns N' Roses|album=Chinese Democracy|rowheader=true}} |- ! scope="row"| Polish Albums Chart<ref>{{cite web|url=http://olis.onyx.pl/listy/index.asp?idlisty=487&lang=en|title=Oficjalna lista sprzedaży: sales for the period 24.11.2008 – 30.11.2008|publisher=[[OLiS]]|trans-title=Official sales list: sales for the period November 24, 2008 – November 30, 2008|date=December 8, 2008|access-date=May 17, 2018|language=pl|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304214530/http://olis.onyx.pl/listy/index.asp?idlisty=487&lang=en|archive-date=March 4, 2016}}</ref> | style="text-align:center;"|1 |- {{album chart|Portugal|9|artist=Guns N' Roses|album=Chinese Democracy|rowheader=true}} |- ! scope="row"| Russian Albums Chart<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.2m-online.ru/news/detail.php?ID=5109|title=Россия Top 25: Centr – Эфир в норме |trans-title=Russia Top 25: Centr – The ether is normal |publisher=2m-online.ru |access-date=December 13, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724034031/http://www.2m-online.ru/news/detail.php?ID=5109 |language=ru|archive-date=July 24, 2011 }}</ref> | style="text-align:center;"|4 |- {{album chart|Scotland|2|date=20081130|rowheader=true|access-date=November 16, 2021}} |- ! scope="row"| Slovene Albums Chart<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vikend.si/top.htm |title=vikend št. 837 – slo/top/30|trans-title=weekend nr. 837 – slo / top / 30 |publisher=vikend.sl |access-date=December 5, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081215115047/http://www.vikend.si/top.htm|language=sl |archive-date=December 15, 2008 }}</ref> | style="text-align:center;"|1 |- {{album chart|Spain|8|artist=Guns N' Roses|album=Chinese Democracy|rowheader=true}} |- {{album chart|Sweden|4|artist=Guns N' Roses|album=Chinese Democracy|rowheader=true}} |- {{album chart|Switzerland|1|artist=Guns N' Roses|album=Chinese Democracy|rowheader=true}} |- ! scope="row"|Taiwanese Albums ([[G-Music|Five Music]])<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.5music.com.tw/billboard.asp|title=Western Weekly Top 20, Week 47, 2008 |language=Chinese |publisher=Five-Music |accessdate=August 5, 2024 }}</ref> |align="center" |1 |- {{album chart|UK2|2|date=20081130|rowheader=true|access-date=August 3, 2018}} |- {{album chart|UKRock|1|date=20081130|rowheader=true|access-date=November 19, 2022}} |- {{album chart|Billboard200|3|artist=Guns N Roses|rowheader=true}} |- {{album chart|BillboardHardRock|1|artist=Guns N Roses|rowheader=true}} |- {{album chart|BillboardRock|1|artist=Guns N Roses|rowheader=true}} |} {{col-2}} ===Year-end charts=== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |+2008 year-end chart performance for ''Chinese Democracy'' !scope="col"|Chart (2008) !scope="col"|Position |- !scope="row"|Australian Albums (ARIA)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/2008/albums-chart|title=2008 ARIA Albums Chart|publisher=ARIA|access-date=May 17, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605024047/http://www.ariacharts.com.au/annual-charts/2008/albums-chart|archive-date=June 5, 2016}}</ref> | style="text-align:center;"|35 |- !scope="row"|Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=2008&cat=a|title=Jaaroversichten – Album 2008|publisher=Hung Medien|access-date=May 17, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906073707/http://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=2008&cat=a|archive-date=September 6, 2017}}</ref> | style="text-align:center;"|85 |- !scope="row"|New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/annual-albums/2008-12-31|title=Top Selling Albums of 2008|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|access-date=May 17, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110114633/https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/albums?chart=2089|archive-date=January 10, 2018}}</ref> | style="text-align:center;"|25 |- !scope="row"|UK Albums (OCC)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/end-of-year-artist-albums-chart/20080106/37502/|title=End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2008|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=May 17, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20150712183635/http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/end-of-year-artist-albums-chart/20080106/37502/|archive-date=July 12, 2015}}</ref> | style="text-align:center;"|41 |} {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |+2009 year-end chart performance for ''Chinese Democracy'' !scope="col"|Chart (2009) !scope="col"|Position |- !scope="row"|Canadian Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2009/top-canadian-albums|title=Canadian Albums: 2009 Year-End Charts – Billboard|magazine=Billboard|date=January 2, 2013|access-date=July 28, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140708111935/http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2009/top-canadian-albums|archive-date=July 8, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> | style="text-align:center;"|15 |- !scope="row"|Italian Albums (FIMI)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fimi.it/dett_ddmercato.php?id=47|title=Classifiche annuali dei cd, dvd, compilation più venduti e digital download più scaricati online nel 2009|language=it|publisher=[[Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana]]|date=January 19, 2010|access-date=March 7, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100123194509/http://www.fimi.it/dett_ddmercato.php?id=47|archive-date=January 23, 2010}}</ref> | style="text-align:center;"|95 |- !scope="row"|Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hitparade.ch/charts/jahreshitparade/2009/alben|title=Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2009|website=hitparade.ch|access-date=September 30, 2021}}</ref> | style="text-align:center;"|89 |- !scope="row"|US ''Billboard'' 200<ref name="2009 ye"/> | style="text-align:center;"|55 |- !scope="row"|US Top Rock Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2009/top-rock-albums|title=Top Rock Albums – Year-End 2009|magazine=Billboard|date=January 2, 2013|access-date=September 30, 2021}}</ref> | style="text-align:center;"|16 |} {{col-end}} ==Certifications and sales== {{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for ''Chinese Democracy''}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Argentina|type=album|title=Chinese Democracy|artist=Guns N' Roses|award=Platinum|relyear=2008|certref=<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.capif.org.ar/Default.asp?PerDesde_MM=0&PerDesde_AA=0&PerHasta_MM=0&PerHasta_AA=0&interprete=&album=&LanDesde_MM=1&LanDesde_AA=1980&LanHasta_MM=12&LanHasta_AA=2010&Galardon=O&Tipo=1&ACCION2=+Buscar+&ACCION=Buscar&CO=5&CODOP=ESOP |title=Gold & Platinum Certifications |work=[[Argentine Chamber of Phonograms and Videograms Producers|CAPIF]] |language=es |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706084844/http://www.capif.org.ar/Default.asp?PerDesde_MM=0&PerDesde_AA=0&PerHasta_MM=0&PerHasta_AA=0&interprete=&album=&LanDesde_MM=1&LanDesde_AA=1980&LanHasta_MM=12&LanHasta_AA=2010&Galardon=O&Tipo=1&ACCION2=+Buscar+&ACCION=Buscar&CO=5&CODOP=ESOP |archive-date=July 6, 2011 |access-date=July 13, 2022}}</ref>}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=album|title=Chinese Democracy|artist=Guns N' Roses|award=Platinum|relyear=2008|certyear=2008|access-date=May 17, 2018}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Belgium|type=album|title=Chinese Democracy|artist=Guns N' Roses|award=Gold|relyear=2008|relmonth=11|certyear=2008}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|title=Chinese Democracy|artist=Guns N' Roses|certyear=2024|type=album|award=Platinum|relyear=2008|access-date=August 19, 2024}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|type=album|title=Chinese Democracy|artist=Guns N' Roses|award=Gold|relyear=2008|certyear=2008}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Finland|type=album|title=Chinese Democracy|artist=Guns N'Roses|award=Platinum|relyear=2008|certyear=2008|salesamount=32,610}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|type=album|title=Chinese Democracy|artist=Guns N' Roses|award=Gold|relyear=2008|certyear=2008}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Greece|type=album|title=Chinese Democracy|artist=Guns N' Roses|award=Gold|relyear=2008|certyear=2009|id=20090307121031|access-date=November 20, 2020}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Hungary|type=album|artist=Guns N' Roses|title=Chinese Democracy|award=Gold|relyear=2008|certyear=2008|access-date=July 13, 2022}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Ireland|type=album|title=Chinese Democracy|artist=Guns N' Roses|award=Platinum|relyear=2008|certyear=2008|access-date=November 20, 2020}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|nocert=true|note=sales in 2008|salesamount=105,000|access-date=July 13, 2022|salesref=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicaedischi.it/mdonline/7267.pdf |title=Music in Italy |publisher=[[Federation of the Italian Music Industry]] |access-date=October 11, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125084131/http://www.musicaedischi.it/mdonline/7267.pdf |archive-date=January 25, 2016 }}</ref>}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|type=album|title=Chinese Democracy|artist=Guns N' Roses|id=654|award=Gold|certyear=2014|relyear=2008|note=sales since 2009|access-date=July 13, 2022}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|type=album|title=Chinese Democracy|artist=Guns N' Roses|award=Gold|relyear=2008|certyear=2008|certmonth=11|access-date=10 September 2019}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=album|title=Chinese Democracy|artist=Guns N' Roses|award=Platinum|id=2008-11-21|source=newchart|access-date=2024-11-20|relyear=2008}} {{Certification Table Entry|type=album|artist=Guns n roses|title=Chinese democracy|relyear=2008|salesamount=33,000|region=Norway|nocert=true|salesref=<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.seher.no/799111/sissel-er-verdensrekord-holder |title=Sissel er verdensrekord-holder |access-date=July 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091224180359/http://www.seher.no/799111/sissel-er-verdensrekord-holder|archive-date=December 24, 2009|url-status=dead }}</ref>}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Poland|type=album|artist=Guns N' Roses|title=Chinese Democracy|award=Platinum|relyear=2008|certyear=2009|access-date=July 13, 2022}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Russia|type=album|artist=Guns N' Roses|title=Chinese Democracy|award=Gold|relyear=2008|certyear=2008|access-date=August 28, 2020}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|type=album|artist=Guns N' Roses|title=Chinese Democracy|award=Gold|relyear=2008|certyear=2009|access-date=July 13, 2022}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=album|title=Chinese Democracy|artist=Guns N' Roses|award=Platinum|relyear=2008|certyear=2013|id=11580-145-2}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=album|title=Chinese Democracy|artist=Guns N' Roses|award=Platinum|relyear=2008|certyear=2009}} {{Certification Table Summary}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Europe|title=Chinese Democracy|artist=Guns N' Roses|award=Platinum|certyear=2008|access-date=July 13, 2022}} {{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}} ==See also== *[[List of longest gaps between studio albums]] *[[List of media notable for being in development hell]] ==References== {{reflist}} ===Footnotes=== {{notelist}} ==Further reading== *[http://www.gnrevolution.com/viewtopic.php?id=5059 Chinese Whispers – The Secret History of the New Studio Album] *[https://www.loudersound.com/features/guns-n-roses-the-making-of-chinese-democracy Classic Rock Magazine: The Making of Chinese Democracy] *[https://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/06/arts/music/the-most-expensive-album-never-made.html New York Times: The Most Expensive Album Never Made] ==External links== <!-- This is a licensed stream for the album, which is allowed under Wikipedia polices --> *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfIZr38DLSg&list=OLAK5uy_m4kdQWD-a3CaWYnALXjCGlcH30s0oIEgw ''Chinese Democracy''] at [[YouTube]] (streamed copy where licensed) *{{Discogs master|9681|Chinese Democracy|type=album}} *{{Metacritic album|title=Chinese Democracy}} {{Guns N' Roses|cat=none}} {{Tommy Stinson}} {{Buckethead}} {{Ron Thal}} {{Authority control}} [[Category:2008 albums]] [[Category:Geffen Records albums]] [[Category:Guns N' Roses albums]] [[Category:Industrial rock albums]] [[Category:Industrial albums by American artists]] [[Category:Hard rock albums by American artists]] [[Category:Electronic rock albums by American artists]] [[Category:Nu metal albums by American artists]] [[Category:Albums recorded at Electric Lady Studios]] [[Category:Albums recorded at Capitol Studios]] [[Category:Albums recorded at Sunset Sound Recorders]] [[Category:Albums produced by Mike Clink]] [[Category:Albums produced by Youth (musician)]] [[Category:Albums produced by Roy Thomas Baker]] [[Category:Albums produced by Sean Beavan]] [[Category:Sampling controversies]] [[Category:Albums involved in plagiarism controversies]] [[Category:Albums recorded at the Village (studio)]]
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