I guess if Merk and the bands intention really IS to release the album without a press release or announced release date - then they still need to let stores etc know what date that is (hence the rumour on MTV and RollingStone about Nov 21st - must have come from somewhere) and that would also explain why the record label said that Nov 21st ISN'T the date (so they could get it out without anyone thinking/knowing it was coming out). I guess we'll see in 20 days!
I think with everyone rumoring Nov. 21st, i'd lay odds it's most likely the 21st will not be the release date.
That's just logic in the world that is Guns N' Roses...