Guns n' Roses Release 'Hard Skool'

Another song from the Chinese Democracy sessions has dropped from Guns n' Roses. The song is called "Hard Skool" and the official audio is below.

You can tell the time period of the vocal recording is from back in the Chinese Democracy days. Axl's voice was very distinctive then. It had a different quality and tone versus the Appetite for Destruction time period. His voice is also different now.

For me, "Hard Skool" is just okay. It's a fine rock track but ultimately not too memorable. Thoughts?

The Chinese Are About to Go Democratic, But Does Anyone Care?

So, as 2006 winds to a close and 2007 just around the corner, Guns N' Roses fans anxiously await the release of Chinese Democracy. The disc is 10 years in the making, with a tentative release date of March 6, 2007.

But does anyone care?

Apparently, the answer is yes considering how many websites and fan forums are dedicated to the GnR album. Some fans even think former Guns guitarist Izzy Stradlin may rejoin the band (he does not perform on the album). Too bad Axl Rose went bonkers and fired the entire band.

To me, no Slash = no Guns N' Roses.

Apparently, Axl (we're on a first name basis) invited Skid Row singer Sebastian Bach over to his home for a listen. Bach (see, we're NOT on a first name basis!) told Rolling Stone magazine that the album is both "mindblowing" and "grand."

Axl is touring right now, which is a good indication that the album is near completion.

I remember reading the 2005 New York Times article about the forthcoming disc. GnR remains on the Geffen label, and executives estimate the production costs to be around 13 million, the most expensive album never released. I was reading that article in the car for whatever reason, and it annoyed me. To this day I'm baffled that Geffen retained GnR but dropped so many of its other (selling) rock acts.

By the way, a quick trip to amazon.com finds that Guns N' Roses greatest hits remains in the top 5o0 sellers in music. That disc was released in March 2004, proving there is still a demand for Axl and his backup singers.

There's also a dedicated search for "Chinese Democracy" but no album information, not a good sign considering the disc is due in just over 2 months.

We shall see.