"Next Album" rumor / speculation thread *UPDATE AUG 22/2023*

[TheBaconman]

Well I would definitely think that the label would be more than supportive about the band doing literally anything in the studio with Axl, Slash & Duff, be it recording on existing material or the less likely entirely new compositions.  I...don't think Geffen/Interscope were chomping at the bit to get Bumblefoot & DJ in the studio.  I would say that's the big difference this time around.

I think this is very likely.

Look, the stuff in the vault, it can't all be gold.  I don't know I see the argument that any new album has to be exclusively from those 2001-02 sessions with guys long out of the fold that want nothing to do with Guns N' Roses in any capacity.

But there are likely a few tunes Axl feels very strongly about.  OK.  So bring those to the current band and have them re-record them.  A couple of those tunes, a couple new tunes this band comes up, there's your 10-12 song album.  You have to give the long gone guys some writing credits, but that's just the cost of doing business.

Will ANY of this happen?  I am as highly skeptical as I am about anything that does not involve time travel or world peace. 

What if they were songs written by past members?   

So say Robin brought in 3 songs, the band dug the melodies and wrote a song....

You are saying take that song and rerecord that?   haha, isn't that pretty much just like writing a new song completely?

If what you are saying is...  Axl brought in some great lyrics that he feels strongly about that he layed down on some songs written by past band members, he should take those lyrics and put them on some tracks written by this new gang.  Yea sure why not.....

[Voodoochild]

Remember all the rumours about the re-recorded Appetite? Was there ever any truth in that?

Yes, it's true. But it was from the 1998 line-up and not sure if it was intended for a release. Likely we will never hear this one.

But there are likely a few tunes Axl feels very strongly about.  OK.  So bring those to the current band and have them re-record them.  A couple of those tunes, a couple new tunes this band comes up, there's your 10-12 song album.  You have to give the long gone guys some writing credits, but that's just the cost of doing business.

Will ANY of this happen?  I am as highly skeptical as I am about anything that does not involve time travel or world peace. 

You're saying you believe in time travel?
JK.

I think there is tons of scenarios besides the one you mentioned. They could release a live album with a couple of new studio tracks too - the ones from CD era, let's say. Of course, if it includes Slash and Duff at least with overdubs it would encrease the reach. It all depends on what Axl thinks its the best approach. If he wants those new songs to be just like bonus tracks, then he really don't need Slash and Duff there - as long as the marketing campaign focus on the live tracks WITH Slash and Duff. It's not the best scenario IMO, but I consider it as possible, albeit unlikely.

The one problem with bringing Slash and Duff to rerecord CD-era songs to me is how much input they would have. I think it wouldnt be just a solo, like in Riad with Bumblefoot replacing Robin and Buckethead's solo (and adding a rhythm guitar layer). It would most likely be a rearrangement like Bumble himself did with Catcher or Shacklers. Maybe even more, because Slash would bring a lot more riffs. And Duff's bass is more proeminent and with a lot more riff approaching than Tommy's.

What if they were songs written by past members?  

So say Robin brought in 3 songs, the band dug the melodies and wrote a song....

You are saying take that song and rerecord that?   haha, isn't that pretty much just like writing a new song completely?

No. The basic structure would still be from Robin in this case. Much like what they did with Better with Slash - it's the same song, but now reworked.

If what you are saying is...  Axl brought in some great lyrics that he feels strongly about that he layed down on some songs written by past band members, he should take those lyrics and put them on some tracks written by this new gang.  Yea sure why not.....

Not sure if that would work. The melody would have to fit and it would take a lot more work than to write from scratch.

[D-GenerationX]

You are saying take that song and rerecord that?   haha, isn't that pretty much just like writing a new song completely?

Ultimately, I am saying that no song written and recorded by the 2001-02 line-up should ever come out under the GNR banner at this point.

It was already silly by the time of the last batch of replacements (DJ/Ron/Frank).  Now given the current line-up, it's compltely ridiculous to do that.

But, if there are a few songs that the 2001-02 folks came up that Axl thinks are just straight up amazing, don't release them in that form.  Have the NITL line-up re-do it.  And if you have to give Finck or Freese a writing credit on that song, so be it.

[GeorgeSteele]

I think the early 2000s vault is still very salvageable with Slash and Duff input.  As much as Axl recorded that music with the lineup that existed at that time, it's primarily Axl as far as lyrics and melodies are concerned, so I don't look at it as being the music of that lineup.  It's Axl's music.  From that foundation, work out and re-record final songs with Slash and Duff and there's your Guns N' Roses album. 

That wouldn't be much different than how songs were done with AFD, Lies and UYI, only back then it was Axl/Izzy being the main lyric/melody contributors; in this case, it would be just Axl. 

Also, keep in mind that This I Love dated back to the classic era.  If Axl could make a great song with Robin with an old recording, I'm sure he could do so now with Slash with the unreleased CD recordings. 

[Reinaldo]

Remember all the rumours about the re-recorded Appetite? Was there ever any truth in that?

Yes, it's true. But it was from the 1998 line-up and not sure if it was intended for a release. Likely we will never hear this one.

In the 2008 chats, Axl answered that:

"Q: - Will the rerecorded appetite ever see the light of day?

A: It?s really just adat and maybe but it was just for learning purposes, more like rehearsal?s."

[sofine11]

Well I would definitely think that the label would be more than supportive about the band doing literally anything in the studio with Axl, Slash & Duff, be it recording on existing material or the less likely entirely new compositions.  I...don't think Geffen/Interscope were chomping at the bit to get Bumblefoot & DJ in the studio.  I would say that's the big difference this time around.

I think this is very likely.

Look, the stuff in the vault, it can't all be gold.  I don't know I see the argument that any new album has to be exclusively from those 2001-02 sessions with guys long out of the fold that want nothing to do with Guns N' Roses in any capacity.

But there are likely a few tunes Axl feels very strongly about.  OK.  So bring those to the current band and have them re-record them.  A couple of those tunes, a couple new tunes this band comes up, there's your 10-12 song album.  You have to give the long gone guys some writing credits, but that's just the cost of doing business.

Will ANY of this happen?  I am as highly skeptical as I am about anything that does not involve time travel or world peace. 

Problem is, doing anything from scratch just seems so very unlikely for Axl.  I mean...he had a more or less finished album that he couldn't/wouldn't put out for how many years post Chinese Democracy before the reunion materialized?  Starting from scratch with Slash & Duff, though certainly a pretty fantasy, just seems so outside the realm of possibilities for the way he operates.  I don't want to sound jaded, but I just don't want to wait until Axl's 68 to hear it.  Because that's what we might be in for if they go that route, even if they keep and rework a handful of Chi Dem era tracks.

If having Slash & Duff record parts for what's already done gets us an album sooner, then fine, I'm all for it. As always, whether this happens hinges on the decisions of Axl, with a dash of the label. Again, considering the current lineup I just don't see them being a roadblock anymore.

...But then again, who knows? Perhaps having Slash & Duff back in the fold Axl will be fueled by all the success they have been enjoying and just maybe they can ride that positive wave into the studio and hammer out an album nice and easy.  Stranger things have happened I suppose. 

[D-GenerationX]

I still think GNR's future lies in touring, and nothing more.

Fine by me.  I'd go see the next go round in 2019 or whenever.

[sofine11]

I still think GNR's future lies in touring, and nothing more.

Fine by me.  I'd go see the next go round in 2019 or whenever.

We'll see, could very well be the case.  Metallica releasing an album is a good omen for a new GNR album. Reason being, there was a time not long ago where alternative stations would play the hell out of Metallica's singles, as recently as their last album.  Now they'll be lucky to get spins on Classic Rock stations in between Rush & Van Halen.  They're still a big touring band who rakes it in that way, and they've still been motivated/visited by the muse etc etc and are putting out what appears to be a rather thrashy metal album in late 2016.  I hope that same muse has Axl's Malibu address. 

[westcoast_junkie]

I believe we'll get an album. Sooner or later. Personally I hope for a double. One with already recorded material with the old line-up, and another one with new material from the current line-up. We've been curious for a long time on how all the title's we heard of really sounds. All we need is just a little......

But first: European leg of the NITL-tour 

[TheBaconman]

I still think GNR's future lies in touring, and nothing more.

Fine by me.  I'd go see the next go round in 2019 or whenever.

A song on a sound track will be ok

[sofine11]

It all depends on what Axl and co. are comfortable with.  We're living in a time where a proper album isn't necessarily needed in order to put out music.  So, let's say Slash & Duff rework The General, Atlas Shrugged & Soul Monster.  They can just drop those three all at once digitally and people will eat them up.  Anything's possible.

[allwaystired]

I still think GNR's future lies in touring, and nothing more.

Fine by me.  I'd go see the next go round in 2019 or whenever.

I 100 per cent agree with this- but I don't like it. I've fallen out with people on here before regarding this topic, but touring is what it's all about now for bands. Personally, I don't like it, and I'd give 1000 tour dates for one new song, but that's not the way the industry rolls anymore, or what the public wants. The public wants nostalgia, sing along tunes, and selfies with their back to the stage, pulling poses. People can try and deny that, but the figures in the industry back that up. Talk to industry professionals and they'll tell you the same thing. Just take a look at the deals being signed by big artists now- the 360 deals- they're all about labels taking money from tours. It;s the way things are. I hate it, massively. I hate nostalgia, I think it's a virus, and I don't want it in my life. I want to live in the now, I want my bands to be good NOW- not good 30 years ago, and I want new material to support that. Otherwise I'll move on to bands that are- I don't want to live in the past, looking backwards and saying 'it was better when...'.

With all that in mind- GNR are doing, at the moment, in my view, the thing they need to do. They're out there, playing great shows, and they're including Chinese stuff to avoid being a total nostalgia act. But I also recognize new material may well not ever happen- and I'm OK with that, as much as I would fucking love it.

We want to ask why? Look to people. Look to their refusal to buy new music, the infantilisation of culture that sees grown men increasingly want to be act like teenagers (comic book films, etc etc) and the backwards looking trends that pervade culture in general at the moment. Remakes of classic films. Reissues of albums. Bands touring playing old albums in full. It all adds up. And it makes me sad, but it is how it is.

There is absolutely no demand for new material from GNR, outside from our exclusive world of very dedicated long term fans. See a guy in a high-street fashion bought GNR shirt in the street and ask him if he's got his fingers crossed for a new album- he'll say no. He's hoping the band come to his city and play SCOM. It is what it is. It's where we're at in terms of culture at the moment. To deny it is pretty futile.

[D-GenerationX]

There is absolutely no demand for new material from GNR, outside from our exclusive world of very dedicated long term fans. See a guy in a high-street fashion bought GNR shirt in the street and ask him if he's got his fingers crossed for a new album- he'll say no. He's hoping the band come to his city and play SCOM. It is what it is. It's where we're at in terms of culture at the moment. To deny it is pretty futile.

Have to agree.

Talked to as amny people at my NITL show as I could.  Around me, in lines at concesssions, bathroom...everywhere.  Everyone was pretty much all about hearing the old hits.

Even when I tried to talk up the fact that maybe, jsut maybe, Axl and Slash patching it up might bode well for the future...I got little response in terms of excitement.  It was all about them being able to hear GNR songs live for the first time in forever, or hearing them played "the right way".

[sofine11]

So should every big name band who's majority of ticket buyers come for the hits pack it in and never return to the studio, because of said fans? Jesus, that's a depressing outlook.  Sure, most of the money's in touring nowadays.  But I'm keen to believe that there's a marriage of art and inspiration somewhere in there too...

[GeorgeSteele]

I still think GNR's future lies in touring, and nothing more.

Fine by me.  I'd go see the next go round in 2019 or whenever.

I 100 per cent agree with this- but I don't like it. I've fallen out with people on here before regarding this topic, but touring is what it's all about now for bands. Personally, I don't like it, and I'd give 1000 tour dates for one new song, but that's not the way the industry rolls anymore, or what the public wants. The public wants nostalgia, sing along tunes, and selfies with their back to the stage, pulling poses. People can try and deny that, but the figures in the industry back that up. Talk to industry professionals and they'll tell you the same thing. Just take a look at the deals being signed by big artists now- the 360 deals- they're all about labels taking money from tours. It;s the way things are. I hate it, massively. I hate nostalgia, I think it's a virus, and I don't want it in my life. I want to live in the now, I want my bands to be good NOW- not good 30 years ago, and I want new material to support that. Otherwise I'll move on to bands that are- I don't want to live in the past, looking backwards and saying 'it was better when...'.

With all that in mind- GNR are doing, at the moment, in my view, the thing they need to do. They're out there, playing great shows, and they're including Chinese stuff to avoid being a total nostalgia act. But I also recognize new material may well not ever happen- and I'm OK with that, as much as I would fucking love it.

We want to ask why? Look to people. Look to their refusal to buy new music, the infantilisation of culture that sees grown men increasingly want to be act like teenagers (comic book films, etc etc) and the backwards looking trends that pervade culture in general at the moment. Remakes of classic films. Reissues of albums. Bands touring playing old albums in full. It all adds up. And it makes me sad, but it is how it is.

There is absolutely no demand for new material from GNR, outside from our exclusive world of very dedicated long term fans. See a guy in a high-street fashion bought GNR shirt in the street and ask him if he's got his fingers crossed for a new album- he'll say no. He's hoping the band come to his city and play SCOM. It is what it is. It's where we're at in terms of culture at the moment. To deny it is pretty futile.

Man, that hurt to read, probably because you're right, but I hope you're not.  

Maybe the novelty of the reunion will wear off and the guys will need a few new songs to rake $ in future tours like they did in this one?  That is, even if they can't sell new music, maybe to maintain interest they'll need new music to keep selling concert tickets at the rate they did this year.  

[sofine11]

I dunno, I still think the reunion novelty will wear off eventually upping the demand for a new album. That make make me naive, but it's something to hope for.

[TheBaconman]

I still think GNR's future lies in touring, and nothing more.

Fine by me.  I'd go see the next go round in 2019 or whenever.

I 100 per cent agree with this- but I don't like it. I've fallen out with people on here before regarding this topic, but touring is what it's all about now for bands. Personally, I don't like it, and I'd give 1000 tour dates for one new song, but that's not the way the industry rolls anymore, or what the public wants. The public wants nostalgia, sing along tunes, and selfies with their back to the stage, pulling poses. People can try and deny that, but the figures in the industry back that up. Talk to industry professionals and they'll tell you the same thing. Just take a look at the deals being signed by big artists now- the 360 deals- they're all about labels taking money from tours. It;s the way things are. I hate it, massively. I hate nostalgia, I think it's a virus, and I don't want it in my life. I want to live in the now, I want my bands to be good NOW- not good 30 years ago, and I want new material to support that. Otherwise I'll move on to bands that are- I don't want to live in the past, looking backwards and saying 'it was better when...'.

With all that in mind- GNR are doing, at the moment, in my view, the thing they need to do. They're out there, playing great shows, and they're including Chinese stuff to avoid being a total nostalgia act. But I also recognize new material may well not ever happen- and I'm OK with that, as much as I would fucking love it.

We want to ask why? Look to people. Look to their refusal to buy new music, the infantilisation of culture that sees grown men increasingly want to be act like teenagers (comic book films, etc etc) and the backwards looking trends that pervade culture in general at the moment. Remakes of classic films. Reissues of albums. Bands touring playing old albums in full. It all adds up. And it makes me sad, but it is how it is.

There is absolutely no demand for new material from GNR, outside from our exclusive world of very dedicated long term fans. See a guy in a high-street fashion bought GNR shirt in the street and ask him if he's got his fingers crossed for a new album- he'll say no. He's hoping the band come to his city and play SCOM. It is what it is. It's where we're at in terms of culture at the moment. To deny it is pretty futile.

Man, that hurt to read, probably because you're right, but I hope you're not.  

Maybe the novelty of the reunion will wear off and the guys will need a few new songs to rake $ in future tours like they did in this one?  That is, even if they can't sell new music, maybe to maintain interest they'll need new music to keep selling concert tickets at the rate they did this year.  

So you guys are saying muscians like Duff and Slash how have been continuously putting out new music for many many years, will just stop?   Or will be happy with having side projects where they put out music?  Or have time for a side project if they are committed to guns.....

You guys are saying the unwashed masses would be happy going to concerts where just the hits are played?  Forever?  Really?

I don't know what is stopping Axl from releasing past CD era songs.   I would love for a CD box set to come out, in limit quanaties with all the music by the artists that wrote it originally.    It would sell and would really only cost what packaging and shipping costs.  Hell only make it available online and then just ship to who buys it.  

if they don't care about money, just dump all the songs on iTunes for a buck.   Perhaps one of the songs will stick with the fan base and you have a hit.  You now have a new song played on the radio.   You now have a new song played live.

[Johnnyblood]

I still think GNR's future lies in touring, and nothing more.

Fine by me.  I'd go see the next go round in 2019 or whenever.

I 100 per cent agree with this- but I don't like it. I've fallen out with people on here before regarding this topic, but touring is what it's all about now for bands. Personally, I don't like it, and I'd give 1000 tour dates for one new song, but that's not the way the industry rolls anymore, or what the public wants. The public wants nostalgia, sing along tunes, and selfies with their back to the stage, pulling poses. People can try and deny that, but the figures in the industry back that up. Talk to industry professionals and they'll tell you the same thing. Just take a look at the deals being signed by big artists now- the 360 deals- they're all about labels taking money from tours. It;s the way things are. I hate it, massively. I hate nostalgia, I think it's a virus, and I don't want it in my life. I want to live in the now, I want my bands to be good NOW- not good 30 years ago, and I want new material to support that. Otherwise I'll move on to bands that are- I don't want to live in the past, looking backwards and saying 'it was better when...'.

With all that in mind- GNR are doing, at the moment, in my view, the thing they need to do. They're out there, playing great shows, and they're including Chinese stuff to avoid being a total nostalgia act. But I also recognize new material may well not ever happen- and I'm OK with that, as much as I would fucking love it.

We want to ask why? Look to people. Look to their refusal to buy new music, the infantilisation of culture that sees grown men increasingly want to be act like teenagers (comic book films, etc etc) and the backwards looking trends that pervade culture in general at the moment. Remakes of classic films. Reissues of albums. Bands touring playing old albums in full. It all adds up. And it makes me sad, but it is how it is.

There is absolutely no demand for new material from GNR, outside from our exclusive world of very dedicated long term fans. See a guy in a high-street fashion bought GNR shirt in the street and ask him if he's got his fingers crossed for a new album- he'll say no. He's hoping the band come to his city and play SCOM. It is what it is. It's where we're at in terms of culture at the moment. To deny it is pretty futile.

Man, that hurt to read, probably because you're right, but I hope you're not.  

Maybe the novelty of the reunion will wear off and the guys will need a few new songs to rake $ in future tours like they did in this one?  That is, even if they can't sell new music, maybe to maintain interest they'll need new music to keep selling concert tickets at the rate they did this year.  

There are few if any examples of an "old" act doing much business with new recording. The Stones, The Who, Pink Floyd, Clapton, on down to your lesser acts like, say, Cheap Trick, Alice Cooper, etc, basically they will work really hard to put out an album, and nobody buys it and nobody wants to hear the songs at concerts. So there isn't much incentive there. Plus it probably crushes your ego a little bit.

[TheBaconman]

I still think GNR's future lies in touring, and nothing more.

Fine by me.  I'd go see the next go round in 2019 or whenever.

I 100 per cent agree with this- but I don't like it. I've fallen out with people on here before regarding this topic, but touring is what it's all about now for bands. Personally, I don't like it, and I'd give 1000 tour dates for one new song, but that's not the way the industry rolls anymore, or what the public wants. The public wants nostalgia, sing along tunes, and selfies with their back to the stage, pulling poses. People can try and deny that, but the figures in the industry back that up. Talk to industry professionals and they'll tell you the same thing. Just take a look at the deals being signed by big artists now- the 360 deals- they're all about labels taking money from tours. It;s the way things are. I hate it, massively. I hate nostalgia, I think it's a virus, and I don't want it in my life. I want to live in the now, I want my bands to be good NOW- not good 30 years ago, and I want new material to support that. Otherwise I'll move on to bands that are- I don't want to live in the past, looking backwards and saying 'it was better when...'.

With all that in mind- GNR are doing, at the moment, in my view, the thing they need to do. They're out there, playing great shows, and they're including Chinese stuff to avoid being a total nostalgia act. But I also recognize new material may well not ever happen- and I'm OK with that, as much as I would fucking love it.

We want to ask why? Look to people. Look to their refusal to buy new music, the infantilisation of culture that sees grown men increasingly want to be act like teenagers (comic book films, etc etc) and the backwards looking trends that pervade culture in general at the moment. Remakes of classic films. Reissues of albums. Bands touring playing old albums in full. It all adds up. And it makes me sad, but it is how it is.

There is absolutely no demand for new material from GNR, outside from our exclusive world of very dedicated long term fans. See a guy in a high-street fashion bought GNR shirt in the street and ask him if he's got his fingers crossed for a new album- he'll say no. He's hoping the band come to his city and play SCOM. It is what it is. It's where we're at in terms of culture at the moment. To deny it is pretty futile.

Man, that hurt to read, probably because you're right, but I hope you're not.  

Maybe the novelty of the reunion will wear off and the guys will need a few new songs to rake $ in future tours like they did in this one?  That is, even if they can't sell new music, maybe to maintain interest they'll need new music to keep selling concert tickets at the rate they did this year.  

There are few if any examples of an "old" act doing much business with new recording. The Stones, The Who, Pink Floyd, Clapton, on down to your lesser acts like, say, Cheap Trick, Alice Cooper, etc, basically they will work really hard to put out an album, and nobody buys it and nobody wants to hear the songs at concerts. So there isn't much incentive there. Plus it probably crushes your ego a little bit.

All those bands and artist you have mentioned all have a way larger backlog of music compared to Guns.  How many albums do the Stones have?  crap.   

A newly reunited band usually always puts out a song or a album or movie or something...

They do this because it strengthens the brand

Having more music/songs is giving the brand of GnR more volume more value.

 

[AXL DEMOCRACY]

A 10 year anniversary of Chinese Democracy will be here soon. A re-release of it with the proper artwork and with a second disc of new material from that era and those players would seem to make sense.