We won't see the CD till September

[estranged.1098]

This is only speculation on my part but here are the reasons why.

1-Nothing has been announced of yet, if they hope to get the album out by early June they have to announce it by atleast mid-April and it doesn't seem likely right now. And they definetly won't release the album during late June, July, or August because all big albums are released in either spring or fall.

Why exactly is an announcement unlikely by mid-April? I wouldn't be surprised if the album is announced next monday.

2-They will be touring Europe from May to the end of the summer. They can't release a album and then just leave the US with out promoting it or touring.

I don't see why not.

3-It isn't clear if the CD is even complete.

That I agree with, but with the band going out to tour I think the chances of it being complete are not bad. Otherwise Axl is just delaying CD by a few months, as the tour will keep him from working on the album.

[Poof!]

But how can they release a album in the US while touring Europe? It don't make sense.

Why doesn't it make sense? They don't need to be in the US when it is released. All they need to do is get a good single/video out there and do some press before they head to Europe.

Now that you mention it, you could be right. If they can release a couple of singles, music videos, and maybe do some interviews from Europe it could work. A few successful shows in Europe would show the promoters in the US that GNR can be trusted to do a American tour. Plus only shitty albums are released in the middle of summer, GNR wont have any competition.

Bands do it all the time. It's the norm. There really is no problem here. Bands release an album and then they either tour the US or Europe. That's what bands and artists do.

[DoubleTalkingJive]

Yah but we all know Axl plays by different rules...one thing is for sure he always keeps us guessing.   I wouldn't be surprised if CD is released after he does the festivals.

[kyrie]

So far, the European tour is only a few weeks. Single in June, Album in July, back to the US works just fine.

Although  I prefer single in May, album in June...

[Mandy.]

Won't we? o.O

[Megaguns]

This is only speculation on my part but here are the reasons why.

 And they definetly won't release the album during late June, July, or August because all big albums are released in either spring or fall.

.

I thought that would be a reason they WOULD release it then..... It doesnt come much bigger than GnR.

[St_Jimmyuk]

they could release teh album whenever, just send it to shops there doesn't have to be a build up it would take the whole of one hour before the news is out and everyone would be buying it

[Meanmachine22]

i think that it is really written in stone that GNR will not make the same mistake twice.
They hit the road in may? Well at least we will see a single in early may and for sure an album announcement for (latest) late june..... Since there is so much "myths" about CD i wouldn't be surprised if they announce a release like 1 week befor it hits the stores. A simultanius (spelling?) release of a single and CD maybe? Would that make sense? I don't know but i would nearly go as far as saying : no release = GNR will be dead.
No third chance . No way in hell!!!

Bottom line is: this shit is about business and money (at least for the label and Merck). Guess they know what they are doing

Axl and the boys will deliver this summer!! I am convinced about that

[whiny]

my biggest fear - except the idea of a cancelation of the shows in europe - is the following scenario:

(1) greatest hits 2 in april/may or june,
(2) same settlist as in the 2002 tour and
(3) therefore only half-full arenas (ireland, france, etc.) followed by
(4) bad reviews/press;
(5) finally another worst case scenario that is NOT so unlikley to come true - especially considering the festival gigs: even if they play some new songs (as says rock in rio homepage) the crowd won`t be singing along, not getting into new material too much for they don`t really know most of it (if they are not hardcore fans or insiders).

so: if axl does not put out cd/single and video until june... ship might sink before it even reaches open sea (to paraphrase a finck-metaphor)... which means 2002 happening again... and thus: nietzsche-scenario: "ewige wiederkehr des gleichen" and axl missing a great chance...

[Sagolik]

touring without cd is a stupid thing to do...

[Siliconmessiah]

Yeah, I can say that I would be much more loaded to go and watch GnR with new tunes to sing along to...

[estranged.1098]

Yeah, I can say that I would be much more loaded to go and watch GnR with new tunes to sing along to...

We're the minority. Most people going there expect to hear the "Greatest Hits".

[Minneapolisnewsman]

But how can they release a album in the US while touring Europe? It don't make sense.

Pig Vomit, first of all I live in the United States, but the U.S. is not the center of the freakin Universe! ?Europe, has a far better rock scene than the U.S. right now! ? Moreover, releasing the album, playing huge world acclaimed European festivals to huge audiences, will not only guarantee the band get's a massive buzz about them, but also will prime the U.S. for a fall tour. ?Moreover, don't count out some surprise shows in NY, L.A., Chicago, or Miami sometime in the next six months. ?Many bands release albums, while touring overseas. ?Album sales, and where a band is touring, for a band the size and as recognizable as GNR, does not matter. ? Album will sell over a million units in U.S., but the key is selling this thing overseas. ?Right now, big rock bands can only count on about 2 million units at most in the U.S., so they need to sell at least 1 million units in Europe, a million in S. America, and a million in Asia. ?If they do that, then they will have moved 6 million units worldwide in 2006, and that is a success. ?If the album sells 4 million in the U.S. by the end of 2007, and 6 million worldwide, then it was a smash!!

Touring Europe is brilliant, and releasing an album in May/June, seems like perfect timing. ?

BTW, the marketing for this album started in January. ?The leaks were the best marketing I have seen for an album in years!! ?GNR are getting totally hip again--hell, their shirts are worn by celebs, and all the hipsters in every N. American big city right now!!!

[Siliconmessiah]

We're the minority. Most people going there expect to hear the "Greatest Hits".

If they release the shiznit, and start promotion (now?!) it will be good!

[Minneapolisnewsman]

If GNR can tap into the growing markets in India and China, they could sell 5 million units in 2006, in those rapidly expanding markets alone!!!  I think GNR should play Bombay!!

[Axlative]

I think GNR should play Bombay!!

I'd prefer Mumbai... 

[Ericnor]

I remember back in 1991, they started playing concerts from May 91 (with exeption of Rio of course), and the Illusions weren't released until Sept. So I think its a fair assumption to say that the album wont see the light of day until after the summer. Sept? Maybe..... I still wish for an earlier release, but I won't get my hopes up.

-Eirik

[Eternal Flaming Sword of Death...]

what's strange is that they would tour without it being done.

this means that Axl takes time away from it to tour?  I know, he did it before,

it just seems illogical, but it seems that word is becoming synonomous with "Guns n' roses"

[Chief]

great idea. mainland China probably will never allow GNR to play there though unfortunately and India is kind of strict as well, but is getting better.  The stones have played Bombay so it would be huge if Guns played there!!!

If GNR can tap into the growing markets in India and China, they could sell 5 million units in 2006, in those rapidly expanding markets alone!!!  I think GNR should play Bombay!!