Irs logic guys. They dont want to do any promotion before the album is released because they dont want it to be leaked and downloaded before its released. Theyll lose more $$$. I can totally see Axl being VERY anti illegal downloading. He would hate to see his money go to the internet losers.
If they want people to buy the album, people have to know that the album is out. And after the know about it they have to be convinced to buy it. I don't think the first part is hard so they don't have to spend huge amounts of money on it, but the second is tricky.
The people that don't want to buy the album can still download it anyway, even if they have to wait like everyone else. Also keep in mind that unlike record companies would have you believe, the internet actually helps getting people into music.
The concern in people's minds (even the most optimistic ones) is that we don't have a date yet not because they're keeping it secret, but because they still couldn't figure it out. It's not normal to do things like these on extremely short notice, but I still believe anything can happen. This year has been very exciting and it's still far from over as far as GNR is concerned.