| After stirring up the music world by announcing two upcoming high-profile gigs, Guns N' Roses have dropped another bomb: The band plans to release its new album in June.
The summer release date for the long-awaited Chinese Democracy, announced by the band's management company, corresponds with a headlining tour the band announced in October.
The album will be the group's first studio effort since the 1993 covers collection The Spaghetti Incident? and the band's first album of original material since 1991's two Use Your Illusion albums.
News of the release comes on the heels of last week's announcement that the band will play its first U.S. show in seven years at the House of Blues in Las Vegas on New Year's Eve.
Singer Axl Rose is the band's only remaining original member. Along with veteran GN'R keyboardist Dizzy Reed, the band's current lineup includes former Replacements bassist Tommy Stinson, lead guitarists Robin Finck and Buckethead, rhythm guitarist Paul Tobias, and former Primus drummer Bryan "Brain" Mantia.
They'll use their New Year's live debut to warm up for a January 14 appearance at the Rock in Rio for a Better World benefit in Brazil. According to the band's management, Guns N' Roses' Vegas setlist will closely mirror their set for the Brazilian festival and could last up to two hours. The Rock in Rio date is expected to be GN'R's last live appearance before the launch of their world tour.
-- Tina Johnson |
