Chinese Democracy
Template:Short description Template:About Template:Good article Template:Pp-move Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox album Chinese Democracy is the sixth studio album by American hard rock band Guns N' Roses, released on November 23, 2008, through Geffen Records and Black Frog. It was their first album of original material since Use Your Illusion I and II (1991), it was also the first to feature none of the classic lineup members aside from vocalist Axl Rose. The album's development spanned over a decade, becoming one of the most protracted and expensive recording processes in rock history, with reported costs exceeding $13 million.
Recorded amid lineup upheavals, legal disputes, and leaks, Chinese Democracy saw Rose collaborate with a rotating cast of musicians and producers, including band members Dizzy Reed, Paul Tobias, Robin Finck, Josh Freese, Tommy Stinson, Chris Pitman, Buckethead, Richard Fortus, Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal, Brain and Frank Ferrer, and producers Youth, Sean Beavan and Roy Thomas Baker. It is the first Guns N' Roses album not produced by Mike Clink; instead, Rose and Caram Costanzo handled production.
The album blends hard rock with industrial and electronic influences, a shift from the band's previous blues and punk-based music. Upon release, it debuted at number three on the Billboard 200, and was certified platinum, receiving generally favorable reviews for its ambition and vocal performances, though its production and lengthy recording process drew mixed reactions. Retrospective assessments have acknowledged its complex legacy, often overshadowed by the mythology surrounding its creation.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Background
In September 1991, Guns N' Roses released the albums Use Your Illusion I and II, selling a combined 35 million copies.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> That November, rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin left the band, citing exhaustion with the current tour and conflicts with bandmates.<ref name="UYI">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> He was replaced by Gilby Clarke.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 1993, they released "The Spaghetti Incident?", an album of glam and punk rock cover songs.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Though certified platinum in 1994,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> it sold far less than their previous releases,<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> and the band didn't tour to support it.<ref name="LOUDSPAG">Template:Cite web</ref>
In 1994, the band began writing new material,<ref name="Sorum96">Template:Cite magazine</ref> but McKagan said "nothing got finished" due to drug use.<ref name="time off">Template:Cite web</ref> Slash accused Rose of running the band "like a dictatorship",<ref name="NY Times">Template:Cite news</ref> while Rose claimed collaboration was impossible, leading to the material being scrapped.<ref name="GNRpress">Template:Cite web</ref>
In 1994, Rose replaced Clarke with his childhood friend Paul "Huge" Tobias, without consulting the band.<ref name="symph">Template:Cite web</ref> He became "obsessed" with electronica and industrial rock, particularly Nine Inch Nails, and pushed for a more modern sound.<ref name="WAR2">Template:Cite book</ref> Other members opposed Tobias and the stylistic shift, deepening tensions.<ref name="WAR2"/>
In early 1995, Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Zakk Wylde auditioned as second guitarist.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Spin 1999">Template:Cite magazine</ref> That August, Rose legally left the band and formed a new partnership under its name<ref name="PRTN">Template:Cite web</ref> (reportedly purchasing the full rights to the Guns N' Roses name in 1997.)<ref name="gnrname">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Slash departed in 1996, citing creative differences with Rose and issues with Tobias.<ref name="slash autobiography">Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> McKagan described the sessions as indulgent and chaotic: "Axl brought [Tobias] in and said, 'This is our new guitar player' ... There was no democracy... Slash started going, 'Fuck this. What, this is his band now?'. I'd show up at 10, and Axl would arrive at four or five in the morning."<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
In January 1997, Slash was replaced by ex-Nine Inch Nails guitarist Robin Finck.<ref name="GOCLINK">Template:Cite web</ref> The following month, electronic musician Moby briefly worked with the band,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> praising their use of loops but conflicting with Rose over recording vocals.<ref name="fiveyears">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="moby">Template:Cite news</ref> He pulled out to focus on his solo work, later admitting he was not suited to produce a rock band.<ref name="moby"/><ref name="TAKESTIME">Template:Cite magazine</ref> Other producers considered included Mike Clink,<ref name="Clink">Template:Cite web</ref> Scott Litt, Steve Lillywhite, and Mark Bell.<ref name="GOCLINK" /><ref name="TAKESTIME" />
In April 1997, drummer Matt Sorum was fired after arguing with Rose over Tobias.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> That same month, Shaquille O'Neal briefly jammed with Reed, Tobias and studio drummer Sidd Riggs, Rose dismissed it as a casual encounter.<ref>1997: Chinese Whispers / 1997 / GNR Evolution: Wazzup?</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Nine Inch Nails drummer Chris Vrenna auditioned, joining a tentative lineup of Rose, McKagan, Tobias, Finck, Vrenna and keyboardist Dizzy Reed.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> Vrenna recalled "When I was there, Moby was going to produce. Axl didn't come in very often".<ref name="vrenna">Template:Cite news</ref> Vrenna left and multiple drummers auditioned, including Riggs,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Dave Abbruzzese (Pearl Jam),<ref name="GOCLINK"/> Michael Bland (Prince),<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Joey Castillo (Danzig),<ref name="vrenna"/> and Kellii Scott (Failure),<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Cbignore</ref> before Josh Freese (The Vandals, Devo) was hired mid-1997.<ref name="99his">Template:Cite web</ref> Freese joined after Rose invited him to help write songs, rare for a drummer in his experience.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
McKagan left in August 1997, frustrated by the band's lack of progress and erratic studio habits.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Tool collaborator Chris Pitman joined as a second keyboardist in early 1998.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On Freese's recommendation, bassist Tommy Stinson (The Replacements) was hired.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> By early 1998, the lineup included Rose, Stinson, Freese, Finck, Tobias, Reed and Pitman.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Recording and production
Early sessions with producer Youth
In February 1998, manager Doug Goldstein said the band was "three to five months away from actually recording," but a release shouldn't be expected until 1999.<ref name="TAKESTIME"/>
That year, Guns N' Roses began recording at Rumbo Recorders, where parts of Appetite for Destruction (1987) had been tracked.<ref name="NY Times" /> Geffen paid Rose $1 million to finish the album, with another $1 million promised if he delivered by March 1, 1999.<ref name="NY Times" /> A&R executive James Barber was brought in to assist: "No expense was spared; they were the biggest band in the history of the label... We desperately wanted the new album for Christmas 1998 and I had a year to get it finished."<ref name="barber">Template:Cite web</ref> Barber described the music as "pretty incredible... like GNR, but with Led Zeppelin, Nine Inch Nails and Pink Floyd mixed in. If Axl had recorded vocals, it would have been an absolutely contemporary record in 1999."<ref name="barber"/>
In mid-1998, producer Youth (U2, the Verve) joined to help Rose focus.<ref name="fiveyears"/> He later said Rose was withdrawn and not ready to record: "He kind of pulled out... There weren't very many people I think he could trust."<ref name="NY Times" /> Frustrated, Youth left.<ref name="fiveyears" /> Rose later said he had stopped writing in the mid-1990s because of criticism from bandmates and his ex-fiancée Stephanie Seymour.<ref name="USA Today">Template:Cite web</ref>
Rose didn't attend sessions regularly. Engineer Dave Dominguez said, "He'd be 'on' for a couple of weeks and then 'off' for a couple weeks. He called in pretty much every day, though."<ref name="daveENG"/> Rose rarely sang, occasionally played instruments, and often spent nights discussing non-musical topics.<ref name="daveENG"/> He instructed engineers to keep recording ideas in his absence and was sent multiple CDs and DATs weekly.<ref name="NY Times" /> Over time, he accumulated more than 1000 discs.<ref name="NY Times" />
Goldstein said the band had "more than 300 hours" of material: “They each take a CD home, listen for cool parts, pick them out, and that's how they build songs."<ref name="TAKESTIME"/> Dominguez explained:
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Work with producer Sean Beavan
The band worked with producer Sean Beavan from late 1998 to early 2000.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Beav">Template:Cite podcast</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> Stinson said "most of the songs on the album started and ended with what [Beavan] did".<ref name="stins">Template:Cite web</ref> Beavan recorded Rose's vocals in under a week, most of which are the takes appearing on the final release.<ref name="Beav" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He claimed to have worked on 35 songs.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Billy Howerdel, hired as a Pro Tools engineer, said "I came in making sounds for Robin Finck, and that turned into this two-and-a-half-year gig."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At one point, Rose paused work to have the new lineup rerecord Appetite for Destruction (1987) using modern recording techniques. He said this helped members reach the needed quality and improved the writing process.<ref name="Loder99" />Template:Efn In 1999, Queen guitarist Brian May recorded guitar for several tracks.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>Template:Efn By mid-1999, over 30 songs had been recorded, and the album was tentatively titled 2000 Intentions.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In 1999, Rose said they had enough material for at least two albums,<ref name="Loder99" /> including one more industrial and electronic than Chinese Democracy.<ref name="Axlspeaks">Template:Cite magazine</ref> Sources said the plan was to release Chinese Democracy, tour for a year or two, then release the second album without returning to the studio.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Album title revealed and release of "Oh My God"
In a November 1999 interview, Rose announced the title Chinese Democracy, saying: "There's a lot of Chinese democracy movements... It could also just be like an ironic statement. I don't know, I just like the sound of it."<ref name="Loder99">Template:Cite web</ref> He described the album as a "melting pot" of varied sounds, including heavy and aggressive tracks.<ref name="Loder99" /> Later that month, he previewed songs for Rolling Stone, who likened the sound to "Physical Graffiti remixed by Beck and Trent Reznor".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 1997–98, sources described the album as electronic influenced.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Chris Vrenna said that Rose aimed for a sound like U2 and Brian Eno's Original Soundtracks 1.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Though often labeled industrial rock, Rose clarified in 2001: "It is not industrial ... There will be all kinds of styles, many influences as blues, mixed in the songs."<ref name="HTGTH">Template:Cite web</ref>
That same month, Guns N' Roses released "Oh My God", their first new track in five years and first original in eight, featured in End of Days.<ref name="Saidman-1999">Template:Cite magazine</ref> The lineup included Rose, Tobias, Stinson, Reed, Pitman, Finck, and Freese, plus guest guitarists Dave Navarro (Jane's Addiction) and Gary Sunshine (Circus of Power).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Navarro, briefly recruited in 1991 to replace Stradlin,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> recalled: "Axl called… I showed up with my gear … there were 10 people in the studio, and I was like, ‘Where's Axl?’ And they were like, ‘He's coming. But let's get started anyway’... I recorded a couple of passes... and then I hear, ‘Yeah, that sounds really good. Why don't you keep that one?’ What it was was Axl on speakerphone from his home. Very strange – but I love that it was strange."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
"Oh My God" received mixed reviews; AllMusic called it "a less than satisfying comeback",<ref name="NY Times" /><ref name="AMG-EoD">Template:Cite web</ref> while Rolling Stone saw it as a stopgap to appease fans and offset costs.<ref name="Saidman-1999" /> Beavan said Jimmy Iovine chose the track for the film after hearing several demos.<ref name="Beav"/> Rose, Iovine, and technicians stayed up all night finalizing the mix.<ref name="NY Times" /> Rose later called it an unfinished demo due to its rushed release.<ref name="Fan"/>
Lineup changes and work with Roy Thomas Baker
While finishing "Oh My God", Finck left to rejoin Nine Inch Nails.<ref name="Saidman-1999" /><ref name="Lost years" /> In January 2000, manager Doug Goldstein said Chinese Democracy was "99% done" and expected mid-year<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In a February Rolling Stone interview, Rose said delays were partly due to learning new recording tech: "It's like from scratch... not wanting it just to be something you did on a computer."<ref name="Axlspeaks" /> Around this time, the band moved to Village Recorders.<ref name="lostmast"/>
In March 2000, Rose hired Buckethead to replace Finck.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> His eccentric stage persona – a white mask and a KFC bucket on his head – led to rumors he was Slash in disguise.<ref name="Zutaut-2008">Template:Cite journal</ref> Josh Freese left after his contract ended to join A Perfect Circle, formed by Billy Howerdel, who had exited the project months earlier.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Freese, frustrated by the lack of touring, likened the band to "a giant jumbo jet sat on the tarmac".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On Buckethead's recommendation, Brain was hired as drummer.<ref name="Bosso-2008">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Ido" />
Producer Sean Beavan left in early 2000.<ref name="Beav" /> Though the album was nearly complete, Rose brought in Queen producer Roy Thomas Baker, who convinced him to rerecord the entire album.<ref name="babd">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="CDmk2">Template:Cite web</ref>Template:Efn Baker felt Freese's drums sounded too "industrial"; Brain said they sounded digital and lacked "air movement".<ref name="Bosso-2008" /> Rose wanted the final album to reflect the energy of those involved, prompting the change. Geffen's Tom Zutaut called Freese's drumming "spectacular" and said: "I would not have wanted to be in Brain's shoes. 'We have got a brilliant performance of this and now we need you to recreate it'."<ref name="Zutaut-2008" />
Rose had Brain learn Freese's parts note-for-note, using transcriptions and a teleprompter before reinterpreting them.<ref name="Bosso-2008" /> Brain said he recorded over eight months,<ref name="rec">Template:Cite web</ref> and the final album blended both drummers' styles.<ref name="Bosso-2008" /> Bassist Tommy Stinson rerecorded his parts with each drummer change: "I probably ended up completely re-recording each part five or six times."<ref name="STINSBASS"/> He later criticized Baker for "wast[ing] many years and many millions of dollars" chasing sounds that could have been fixed in mixing.<ref name="STINSBASS"/>
After Nine Inch Nails' Fragility Tour ended in July 2000, Finck rejoined.<ref name="Lost years">Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Rose had previously threatened to remove his parts after seeing him perform at the 1999 MTV Video Music Awards.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Composers Marco Beltrami and Paul Buckmaster contributed orchestral arrangements.<ref name="belt" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2003, Beltrami said: "Axl played me these songs, asked me my ideas... I wrote some melodies and stuff. The music was eclectic, and there were no lyrics on the songs that I was working on."<ref name="belt">Template:Cite web</ref>
Rose said the album was partly inspired by his conflicts with former bandmates and ex-fiancé Seymour. He hoped that her son Dylan, whom Rose was close to, would one day hear it: "if he ever wants to know the story, to hear the truth".<ref name="Axlspeaks"/>
A&R executive Tom Zutaut's role
In February 2001, Geffen head Jimmy Iovine asked former A&R executive Tom Zutaut, who had discovered Guns N' Roses, to help finish Chinese Democracy.<ref name="Zutaut-2008" /> After Zutaut and Rose resolved their personal issues, Rose shared his frustrations with recreating the drum sound of Nirvana's Nevermind. Zutaut helped achieve the sound to Rose's satisfaction.<ref name="Zutaut-2008" /> Rose had Zutaut vetted by his psychic, then arranged for Geffen to pay him "whatever it takes", though the album missed its deadline.<ref name="Zutaut-2008" />
Zutaut said the band had 50-60 songs in development.<ref name="Zutaut-2008" /> Buckethead had quit over conflicts with Baker and slow progress, but Zutaut coaxed him back by building a chicken coop studio filled with straw, wire, and rubber chickens.<ref name="Zutaut-2008" /> Only assistant engineers could enter to adjust mics.<ref name="Zutaut-2008" /> Rose's assistant Beta Lebeis called it a cheap joke: "Its just wire ... It's something you do in three or four hours. Just for fun."<ref name="Zutaut-2008" /> Zutaut said Buckethead used the coop to watch hardcore pornography, upsetting Rose. After one of Rose's dogs defecated in, Buckethead refused cleanup, saying he liked the smell. Staff removed it after three days, angering him.<ref name="Zutaut-2008" />Template:Efn
At Interscope's request, Zutaut reviewed the budget and found thousands wasted monthly on unused gear. His changes saved an estimated $75,000 per month.<ref name="Zutaut-2008" /> Rose's erratic schedule left paid staff idle. Zutaut said: "These fucking people are getting paid shitloads.. sitting on their arse doing nothing because Axl's not coming to the studio."<ref name="Zutaut-2008" />
Zutaut urged Rose to release the album as a solo project, believing it would sell better.<ref name="CD2018" /> Rose disagreed, saying in 2008: "I didn't make a solo record... It would be completely different and probably much more instrumental."<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> Lebeis said 48 songs were completed by March 2001, and Geffen began selecting tracks.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Zutaut reviewed all 50-60 songs with Rose to decide which were worth finishing, and said they had completed versions of "The Blues", "Madagascar", "Chinese Democracy" and "Atlas Shrugged".<ref name="Zutaut-2008" />
Departure of Zutaut and Baker
For Black Hawk Down (2001), director Ridley Scott requested the use of Guns N' Roses' 1987 track "Welcome to the Jungle" from Appetite for Destruction. According to Tom Zutaut, Axl Rose had already rerecorded the full album with new band members, and one of these versions was mixed for the film.<ref name="Zutaut-2008" /> Rose later attended a screening arranged by Zutaut, but upon discovering it was not private, he fired him - Zutaut claimed he was "set up", a claim Rose denied.<ref name="Zutaut-2008" /> By then, Zutaut estimated 11 or 12 tracks were nearly finished, and the album could have been ready by September 2002.<ref name="Zutaut-2008" /> Producer Roy Thomas Baker left the project a few months later.<ref name="Zutaut-2008" />
Live performances and touring
Template:See also On January 1, 2001, Guns N' Roses played their first concert in over seven years at the House of Blues in Las Vegas.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> They headlined Rock in Rio IIITemplate:Sp on January 14 to an audience of 190,000 people.<ref name="Rio review">Template:Cite web</ref> On August 29, 2002, they made a surprise appearance at the MTV Video Music Awards performing the new song "Madagascar".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The 2002 Chinese Democracy Tour received mixed reviews,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> show cancellations in Vancouver<ref name="vancriot">Template:Cite web</ref> and Philadelphia<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> led to riots and the tour's cancellation.<ref name="GnRCanceledMTV">Template:Cite web</ref>
Template:Quote box Rhythm guitarist Paul Tobias left in 2002. Rose called him vital to the writing process but said touring was not his preference.<ref name="GNRpress"/> He was replaced by Richard Fortus, who said most of the material was already written, with some riffs dating back to Slash.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The band had considered Marc Ford of The Black Crowes, but he declined.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Fortus called recording "challenging" since every guitar part had to be structured with three guitar players.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In August 2002, Rose wrote that the album was nearly complete, with a finalized tracklist and artwork.<ref name="GNRpress"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Weeks later he told MTV: "You'll see [the album], but I don't know if 'soon' is the word".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In November, Reed said the album would be out by June 2003, with only minor work left.<ref name="June">Template:Cite web</ref> Rose confirmed plans for multiple albums and blamed delays on lack of label support, saying he had taken on roles beyond his scope.<ref name="June" /> He also cited pressure during the Illusion sessions as a reason for the prolonged process.<ref name="GNRpress"/>
In 2003, Eddie Trunk described the song "I.R.S." as Illusion-era hard rock with modern touches.<ref name="MTV Trunk" /> Later that year, the Offspring joked their next album would be called Chinese Democracy (You Snooze, You Lose).<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Rose responded with a cease-and-desist order, which Dexter Holland said was blown out of proportion.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In mid-2003, the band reportedly began rerecording the album again.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> A journalist said Rose wanted it "as perfect as possible".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2004, Stinson said it was "almost done", but delays stemmed from legal issues and Rose's desire for full band input: "You have to get eight people to basically write a song together that everyone likes."<ref name="MTV-Stinson" /> An engineer said Rose aimed to make "the best record ever," which lead to endless revisions.<ref name="NY Times" /><ref name="MTV-Stinson" /> Stinson later said Geffen left Rose to self-produce, which he hadn't wanted. After the label merged with Interscope, Rose was told Jimmy Iovine would be more involved than he was.<ref name="STINSBASS">Template:Cite magazine</ref>
Label disputes and funding issues
By 2004, Geffen removed Chinese Democracy from its release schedule and cut funding, citing overspending: "It is Mr. Rose's obligation to fund and complete the album."<ref name="NY Times" /> Manager Merck Mercuriadis claimed the album was nearly finished.<ref name="NY Times" /> A 2005 New York Times article estimated production costs at $13 million ($Template:Inflation today), dubbing it "the most expensive recording 'never' made".<ref name="NY Times" />Template:Efn Mercuriadis dismissed the report, saying most sources hadn't been involved in years and hadn't heard the album.<ref name="merck article">Template:Cite web</ref> At one point, the band's monthly budget reached $250,000.<ref name="babd" /> Rose said the cost would be offset by material for multiple albums.<ref name="Axlspeaks" />
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The making of this album has been an unbearably long and incomprehensible journey.. a bad dream in which one wakes up only to find they are still in the nightmare.{{#if:|
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Buckethead's departure and Greatest Hits
On March 17, 2004, Buckethead quit Guns N' Roses, prompting cancellation of their planned tour, including a headlining slot at Template:Ill.<ref name="BUKEX">Template:Cite web</ref> His management cited frustration with the band's inability to finish an album or tour.<ref name="BUKEX"/> The band responded, calling Buckethead "inconsistent and erratic," with a "transient lifestyle" that made communication difficult.<ref name="Zutaut-2008" /> Rose stated they hoped to announce a release date "within the next few months".<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>Template:Efn In September, Stinson said it would reach mastering by November.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Later that week, Geffen released Guns N' Roses' Greatest Hits, citing Rose's failure to deliver the new album.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>Template:Efn
Tour resumption and lineup changes
Buckethead was replaced by Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal, and touring resumed in May 2006. Bumblefoot said the album was "pretty far along", with most material written and recorded, though more guitar work was needed.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He added parts between tour legs,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> writing for every song, experimenting with fretless guitar and hundreds of ideas.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He described the dense arrangements as challenging: "You go high - there's a synth. You go low- it's buried in bass."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He spent long days crafting original parts: "[I] would experiment with different ideas and directions – fretless, fretted, wah, clean, heavy, bluesy, melody, rhythmic, technical. 100 tracks for a song, with two people yelling opposite directions in my ear at the same time. In the end, Caram [Costanzo] and Axl chose what worked."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Drummer Brain left in July 2006 to help take care of his newborn daughter.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> Frank Ferrer replaced him and added new drum tracks.<ref name="moderndrum" /><ref name="moderndrum2">Template:Cite journal</ref> Ferrer said Brain encouraged him to make the songs his own, focusing on feel over precision.<ref name="moderndrum">Template:Cite web</ref> He plays on five tracks, including the title song, while the rest feature drums by Brain and Ferrer using Freese's arrangements.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In October 2006, Rolling Stone reported a "firm" release date of November 21.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> Engineer Andy Wallace, known for his work with Nirvana and Slayer, was mixing the album.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> Stinson said that most of it had been recorded collaboratively in 2001, and had been "pretty much done" since then.<ref name="rec" /> Reed attributed the delays to a lack of deadlines or pressure.<ref name="DizzyInt" />
On December 14, Rose announced four show cancellations to focus on finishing the album. He also ended the band's relationship with manager Mercuriadis and gave a tentative release date of March 6, 2007 - the first time the band had publicly given a date.<ref name="Axl's open letter">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Merck's letter">Template:Cite web</ref> At a Korn tour launch party, Rose called the album "complex", with Queen-like arrangements, and expected mixed reactions from fans.<ref name="RS2006-01-13">Template:Cite magazine</ref> Sebastian Bach described it as "epic," "badass" and "grand,"<ref name="DiS-Bach">Template:Cite web</ref> combining the rawness of Appetite for Destruction with the grandiosity of "November Rain".<ref name="RS-2007-09-26">Template:Cite magazine</ref>
Rose said in 2006 that 32 songs were in development,<ref name="RS2006-01-13" /> and Bach later confirmed Chinese Democracy was intended as the first in a trilogy.<ref name="Bach">Template:Cite web</ref> In 2008, Rose revealed working titles for 10 songs from the planned follow-up albums.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> (see § Unused tracks and follow-up album)
Final sessions
Axl Rose recorded his final vocal tracks in January 2007.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On February 22, road manager Del James confirmed that recording was complete and mixing had begun, though no release date was set.<ref name="DelJames">Template:Cite web</ref> Sebastian Bach said Rose had hoped for a Christmas 2007 release, but delays may have stemmed from business issues.<ref name="Bach interview – RMM">Template:Cite web</ref> Bach also recorded backing vocals for "Sorry" at Electric Lady Studios,<ref name="blabbermouth">Template:Cite web</ref> describing it as "almost like doom metal with Axl singing really clean over this grinding, slow beat"<ref name="DiS-Bach" /> Harpist Patti Hood and conductor Suzy Katayama contributed additional parts.<ref name="patti hood">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In January 2008, rumors suggested that the album had been delivered to Geffen but was delayed due to marketing disagreements.<ref name="antimusic">Template:Cite web</ref> Eddie Trunk claimed financial issues were to blame,<ref name="Eddie Trunk blog">Template:Cite web</ref> but Roses's manager Beta Lebeis denied this, stating negotiations were ongoing.<ref name="Classic Rock article 2008">Template:Cite web</ref> Rose retained full control over track selection and sequencing.<ref name="TMP">Talking Metal Podcast: Chris Pitman hosted by Mark Strigl. November 16, 2008</ref> Tommy Stinson later said Jimmy Iovine "pulled the record out of Axl's hand at the fucking 11:30th hour," just before Rose was ready to sign off.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Bumblefoot said he and producer Caram Costanzo (who joined in 2003) worked 14-hour days on the album.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Other producers who worked on the album included Bob Ezrin, Eric Caudieux, Sean Beavan,<ref name="MTV-Stinson">Template:Cite web</ref> and Tim Palmer.<ref name="HowDidIGetHere">Template:Cite web</ref> The final credits list Rose and Costanzo as producers, with Baker, Caudieux, Beavan, and Pitman providing additional production.<ref name="fiveyears" /><ref name="CDCredits"/> Recording spanned 15 studios, including Capitol, Cherokee, Electric Lady, Sunset Sound, and The Village.<ref name="CDCredits"/>
Mastering engineer Bob Ludwig submitted three versions of the album. Rose and Costanzo chose the one without dynamic range compression, rejecting the loudness war trend.<ref name="Ludwig 2008">Template:Cite web</ref> Ludwig praised the decision: "I was floored... The fan and press backlash against the recent heavily compressed recordings finally set the context for someone to take a stand".<ref name="Ludwig 2008" />
Release and promotion
In October 2006, Rose held listening parties in New York bars, previewing ten songs.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On September 14, 2008, "Shackler's Revenge" debuted in Rock Band 2, marking the first official release of new Guns N' Roses material since 1999's "Oh My God".<ref name="shackler's">Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>Template:Efn It was followed by "If the World", featured in the closing credits of Body of Lies.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
On October 9, Billboard confirmed a November 23, 2008 release date for Chinese Democracy,<ref name="Billboard">Template:Cite magazine</ref> sold exclusively through Best Buy in the U.S.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The title track premiered on October 22 via the Opie and Anthony show on KROQ-FM.<ref name="single release">Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Promotional ads referencing the 2008 United States presidential election aired in early November.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> "Better" was released as a promo single on November 17,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> followed by "Street of Dreams" in March 2009.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
<templatestyles src="Template:Blockquote/styles.css" />
It's the right record and I couldn't ask for more. Could have been a more enjoyable journey, but it's there now. The art comes first.{{#if:|
|}}{{#if:|
— {{#if:|, in }}Template:Comma separated entries
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Days before release, the album was streamed on Myspace,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> surpassing 3 million plays and setting a platform record.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Managers Irving Azoff and Andy Gould called the launch "a historic moment in rock 'n' roll" backed by a "monumental campaign".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The title track was also used as the theme song for WWE's Armageddon in December 2008.<ref>Guns N Roses Contributes Song For WWE Event</ref> A music video for "Better", directed by Dale "Rage" Resteghini,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> was announced in December, however, it never released.
In March 2009, the band announced a new leg of the Chinese Democracy Tour, which ran from December 2009 to December 2012.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Robin Finck departed to rejoin Nine Inch Nails before the tour, he was replaced by DJ Ashba.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> A guitar tab book was released in December 2009.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The album was banned in China due to perceived criticism of the Chinese government and references to Falun Gong.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> State media claimed it "turns its spear point on China".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Disputes with label and management
After the album's release, Rose remained out of public view for several months and ignored Geffen's requests to promote it.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On December 12, he posted statements on fan forums addressing the album, former bandmates, and tour plans.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref name="chat"/> In a February 9, 2009 interview, Rose said he saw "no real involvement or effort from Interscope".<ref name=nosympy>Template:Cite web</ref> In a 2018 retrospective, Billboard criticized the marketing, calling it "a colossal blunder" that undermined the "most anticipated rock album in history".<ref name="CD2018"/>
In May 2010, Front Line Management sued Rose over unpaid concert fees.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref name="azoff">Template:Cite web</ref> Rose countersued for $5 million, alleging sabotoge of the album's release - including "purposefully spoiling" the artwork, "botching" a deal with Best Buy Deal and leaking tracks.<ref name="EWsuit">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In a 2024 interview, drummer Dave Abbruzzese claimed executives wanted the album to fail to pressure Rose into reuniting with Slash.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>Template:Efn The lawsuit was settled in 2011.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Leaked tracks and legal fallout
In 2003, DJ Eddie Trunk played a leaked demo of "I.R.S.", from New York Mets catcher Mike Piazza.<ref name="MTV Trunk">Template:Cite web</ref>
Between 2006 and 2008, numerous tracks from Chinese Democracy leaked online. Early leaks include "I.R.S.", "The Blues", "There Was a Time", "Better" and "Catcher in the Rye".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> "I.R.S." received enough radio play to chart at #49 on the Active Rock National Airplay Chart before management intervened.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Later leaks came from unexpected sources: Harley-Davidson accidentally released "Better" in an ad,<ref name="hdad">Template:Cite web</ref> while professional wrestler Mister Saint Laurent leaked updated versions of several tracks in 2007.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> By the album's release, only three of its 14 songs had not been leaked or performed live.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
In June 2008, blogger Kevin Cogill streamed nine tracks on Antiquiet, crashing the site due to traffic.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He was arrested in August under the Family Entertainment and Copyright Act.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Slash said: "I hope he rots in jail. It's going to affect the sales of the record."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Techdirt reported that the arrest spiked illegal downloads,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and that UMG showed search engine traffic results to Best Buy to support a distribution deal.<ref name="waste">Template:Cite news</ref>
Cogill pleaded guilty in November to one count of copyright infringement, later reduced to a misdemeanor.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> He claimed the government could not prove the album was commercially imminent: "No one at the RIAA or the label had informed the government that these songs had been lying around for 14 years. Only that they had cost $12 million."<ref name="waste" /> He was sentenced to two months' house arrest and was ordered to produce an anti-piracy video, which was never made due to RIAA budget concerns.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In 2019, roughly 120 demos leaked online after Tom Zutaut's abandoned storage unit was auctioned off.<ref name="lostmast"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The "Locker Leaks" contained 19 discs of mostly instrumental recordings from around 2001–2002.<ref name="lostmast">Template:Cite magazine</ref>
Dr Pepper promotion
On March 26, 2008, media reported that Dr Pepper would offer a free can to every American — excluding Buckethead and Slash — if Chinese Democracy was released that year.<ref name="Dr Pepper – Billboard">Template:Cite magazine</ref> Rose responded on the band's website, expressing surprise and saying he'd share his Dr Pepper with Buckethead.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
After the release was confirmed, Dr Pepper upheld its pledge, but its website crashed under demand for coupons.<ref name="bbc dr pepper">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Paine-2008">Template:Cite magazine</ref> Two days later, Rose's lawyer Alan Gutman said threatened legal action, calling the promotion "an unmitigated disaster" that "defrauded consumers" and "ruined" the album's release.<ref name="Paine-2008" /> He demanded full-page apologies in major newspapers.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Rose later said he considered the issue minor and was surprised by the legal response, believing focus should have remained on the album.<ref name="Axl explains his stance on Dr. Pepper litigation">Template:Cite web</ref>
Copyright infringement
In October 2009, Ulrich Schnauss's labels Independiente and Domino sued Guns N' Roses, alleging unauthorized sampling of Schnauss's tracks "Wherever You Are" (2001) and "A Strangely Isolated Place" (2003) in "Riad N' the Bedouins".<ref>Kearney, Christine. "Guns N' Roses Sued for Copying Songs" Template:Webarchive. billboard.com. October 6, 2009.</ref><ref>Domino Records v. Interscope Geffen A & M Records [Schnauss v. “Guns N’ Roses”] Docket No. 1:09-cv-08400 (S.D.N.Y. 2009)</ref> Attorney Brian Caplan said they first contacted Geffen in February, but the label "attempted to explain [the samples] away".<ref name="Michaels-2009" />
Guns N' Roses denied wrongdoing.<ref>Guns N’ Roses 'vigorously contest' claims they've copied songs</ref> Manager Irving Azoff stated the ambient snippets were supplied by a producer who claimed they were legally obtained. He added the band resented the implication of misuse and was considering counterclaims, but expected a resolution.<ref>Guns n' Roses sued for plagiarism by Ulrich Schnauss on 'Chinese Democracy'</ref> The labels sought $1 million in damages from Geffen.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Unused tracks and follow-up album
Template:See also Tommy Stinson said the album was originally intended as a multi-disc release, but after years of work, they had to wrap it up. He added that material from the previous lineup remained unreleased.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> According to Bumblefoot, "Atlas Shrugged" was cut due to CD length limits.<ref name="atlas">GNR Evolution: Song facts: Atlas Shrugged GNR Evolution, 2009.</ref> Other unreleased tracks include "Oklahoma", "Thyme", "The General", "Elvis Presley and the Monster of Soul", "Leave Me Alone", "Ides of March", "Silkworms", "Down by the Ocean", "Zodiac", "Quick Song" and "We Were Lying".<ref name="Axlspeaks" /><ref name="belt" /><ref name="atlas" /><ref name="Fan">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="DizzyInt">Template:Cite web</ref>
In August 2013, "Going Down", featuring Stinson on vocals, leaked online, along with remixes by Brain and future Guns N' Roses keyboardist Melissa Reese.<ref name="Goingdown">Template:Cite news</ref> In 2014, Rose said a second part of Chinese Democracy and a remix album were complete and awaiting release.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> Billboard reported in 2018 that a follow-up had been planned for 2016, but was shelved when Slash and Duff McKagan rejoined.<ref name="CD2018"/> Richard Fortus confirmed work on a new album that year,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and in 2021, Slash said the band was reworking Chinese Democracy-era songs.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> That year, starting with "Absurd", the band began releasing reworked singles.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Musical style and composition
Template:Listen Chinese Democracy marked Guns N' Roses' expansion into industrial rock,<ref name="rockhall"/><ref name="numetal"/><ref name="Empire"/><ref name="Wood"/><ref name="sput">Template:Cite web</ref> electronic rock<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> nu metal,<ref name="Ido">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=numetal>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and trip-hop while retaining their hard rock roots.<ref name="Fricke"/> Critics noted similarities to Queen, Paul McCartney and Wings, and Andrew Lloyd Webber.<ref name="Ido"/><ref name="quiet">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="LAt"/>
Tracks 1-7
Rose cited Dave Grohl's drumming on "Smells Like Teen Spirit" as an influence on the title track,<ref name="Zutaut-2008"/> which was inspired by the film Kundun,<ref name="ban"/> and Rose's three months living in China.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Lyrics referencing Falun Gong led to the album being banned in China.<ref name="ban">Template:Cite web</ref> The track opens with a delayed intro of ambient noise and guitar lines,<ref name="Metalinj"/> with Spin comparing the guitars to Tom Morello.<ref name="spin.com"/> Josh Freese wrote the main riff, calling it "really dumb, simple, dirty."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
"Shackler's Revenge" was inspired by school shootings and media sensationalism,<ref name="Chattrans">Template:Cite web</ref>Template:Efn Rose likened the lyrics to a horror film.<ref name="Chattrans"/> Critics compared it to Nine Inch Nails, The Prodigy, Marilyn Manson, Korn, and Rob Zombie.<ref name="IGN">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="CS"/><ref name="Petridis">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Metalinj"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It blends industrial,<ref name="IGN"/><ref name="CS">Template:Cite web</ref> electronic,<ref name="Petridis"/> nu metal,<ref name="IGN"/><ref name="CS"/><ref name="MR">Template:Cite web</ref> sludge,<ref name="paste">Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref name="COS"/> and alternative rock.<ref name="metalsucks.net">Template:Cite web</ref> Rolling Stone called its layered vocals "a demented choir".<ref name="shackler's"/>
"Better" is an electronic rock track with falsetto vocals and a "whining guitar line".<ref name="rockhall">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Fricke"/><ref name="COS"/> Rose praised the guitar parts in the bridge as among his favorite.<ref name="Chattrans"/> Loudwire noted an Acid house-style beat,<ref name="LOUD">Template:Cite web</ref> while Rolling Stone described the intro as a "hip-hop voicemail".<ref name="Fricke"/> Apple Music compared Rose's vocals to Bruce Dickinson.<ref name="AppleMusic">Template:Cite web</ref>
"Street of Dreams" is a piano ballad reminiscent of "November Rain" and "The Garden", with Elton John,<ref name="Fricke"/><ref name="COS">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="AppleMusic"/> and Queen influences.<ref name="Metalinj"/><ref name="LOUD"/>
On "If The World", Buckethead plays a flamenco guitar; described as having "an electronic funk slither", with neo-soul, nu-metal, and trip-hop elements.<ref name="Petridis"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Pitman said the song was "about environmental decay in its futurist context",<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> he wrote the song on a 12-string guitar, then layered dub beats, strings and synths.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Rose said it parodies James Bond music.<ref>Template:Cite AV media</ref>
"There Was a Time" is an orchestral and synth-heavy track, with Mellotron, choirs, and violins.<ref name="Metalinj">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="COS"/> Spin noted, "Bluesy piano and slyly cinematic passage set up the highest notes Axl's full-health throat has ever belted."<ref name="spin.com">Template:Cite web</ref> Apple Music said it features "prog rock mellotron and strings",<ref name="AppleMusic"/> while Ultimate Classic Rock noted its blend of hip-hop beats, guitar solos and "tortured vocals"".<ref name="UCR21"/> Kerrang cited influences from Danny Elfman, The Eagles, and Santana.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
"Catcher in the Rye" was written after Rose watched a documentary on Mark David Chapman, intended as a tribute to John Lennon and a critique of the book.<ref name="chat">Template:Cite web</ref> A power ballad,<ref name="LOUD"/> it drew comparisons to Oasis,<ref name="spin.com"/> Elton John, Queen, and "Yesterdays".<ref name="Klosterman"/>
Tracks 8-14
"Scraped" returns to industrial rock with heavily processed vocals<ref name="Metalinj"/> and lyrics like "All things are possible, I am unstoppable."<ref name="Fricke"/><ref name="COS"/> A vocal bridge was noted as similar to "Get the Funk Out" by Extreme.<ref name="Klosterman"/> It also drew comparisons to Soundgarden.<ref name="spin.com"/> Loudwire called it a "musical Frankenstein".<ref name="LOUD"/>
"Riad N' The Bedouins" refers to a former relative of Rose who claimed to be an arms dealer.<ref name="ART EDITION">Template:Cite AV media notes</ref> Rose's vocals were compared to Robert Plant.<ref name="Metalinj"/><ref name="AppleMusic"/> The song samples "Wherever You Are" and "A Strangely Isolated Place" by Ulrich Schnauss (see § Copyright infringement).<ref name="Michaels-2009">Template:Cite web</ref> Several critics have theorized the song's lyrical content is about the Iraq War.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
"Sorry" is a power ballad aimed at critics and former bandmates,<ref name="chat"/> with the chorus "I'm sorry for you / Not sorry for me".<ref name="Metalinj"/> The song drew comparisons to Pink Floyd and Metallica,<ref name="Metalinj"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Rose's vocals were compared to Layne Staley.<ref name="spin.com"/> The A.V. Club noted Rose's "bizarre, quasi-Transylvanian accent" on the line "But I don't want to do it".<ref name="Klosterman"/>
"I.R.S." features lyrics about calling government agencies over a guitar-heavy track.<ref name="Fricke"/><ref name="COS"/> Critics noted trip-hop influences and similarities to Nirvana's "In Bloom".<ref name="spin.com"/>
"Madagascar" is a trip-hop track with samples from films and Martin Luther King Jr.'s speeches.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Erlewine"/> Time likened it to Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir".<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> Rose said the sampled quotes were edited together to emphasize their message.<ref name="ART EDITION"/>
"This I Love" is a piano ballad written in 1992, described by Rose as "the heaviest thing I've written".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="COS"/><ref name="Klosterman"/> He said the string melody was originally composed over a hip-hop loop.<ref name="Chattrans"/> Spin compared the song to Andrew Lloyd Webber.<ref name="spin.com"/>
"Prostitute" is an orchestral power ballad that features the lyrics "Ask yourself / Why I would choose / To prostitute myself / To live with fortune and shame".<ref name="Fricke"/><ref name="COS"/> Producer Youth said Rose "labored" over it due to pressure from past success.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Loudwire noted its blend of "classical orchestrations and electro-beats with blistering guitar solos and some of [Rose's] highest pitched shrieking."<ref name="LOUD"/> Consequence of Sound compared the vocals to "Bruce Hornsby with distortion."<ref name="COS"/>
Artwork
The cover features a sepia photo of a bicycle with a wicker basket against a graffitied wall with the band's name,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> shot in Kowloon Walled City by Terry Hardin.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Above the vertically written band name and the album title are three red communist stars and the letters "GNR".<ref name="cover">Template:Cite web</ref> Artistic director Ryan Corey said Rose conceived the bike cover early in the album's development.<ref name="artwork2">Template:Cite web</ref>
Rose initially approached Chinese artist Chen Zhuo to use a painting of Tiananmen Square as an amusement park, but Chen declined due to censorship concerns.<ref name="cover"/><ref name="ART3">Template:Cite web</ref> Instead, Rose selected Shi Lifeng's "Controlling No. 3" for an alternate "art edition" cover.<ref name="artwork2"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> This version was used for the Rock Band 2 download and released in limited CD quantities.<ref name="artwork2"/><ref name="ART3" /> The alternate booklet includes Rose's essay "Fear N' Freedom: The Future of China and Western Society".<ref name="ART EDITION"/> The regular booklet features artwork by Shi,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> photos of the Hong Kong skyline, the Chinese military,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and band members.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In December 2008, Rose said that two alternate booklets were planned but never released, criticizing the use of an "error-filled draft" instead of the final artwork.<ref name="Fan"/> Only the "art edition" was issued.<ref name="artwork2"/> Stinson later said executives pulled the artwork "right at the last second, when [Rose] wasn't ready".<ref name="CD2018">Template:Cite magazine</ref>
Critical reception
Template:MCalbum<ref name="MC">Chinese Democracy (2008): Reviews Template:Webarchive. Metacritic. Retrieved on November 28, 2009.</ref> Ann Powers (Los Angeles Times) called it "a cyborgian blend of pop expressiveness, traditional rock bravado and Brian Wilson-style beautiful weirdness".<ref name="LAt">Template:Cite web</ref> Chuck Klosterman (The A.V. Club) praised the vocals and guitar work, calling three songs "astonishing" and noting the album as "the last Old media album... the last album that will matter more as a physical object than as an Internet sound file."<ref name="Klosterman">Template:Cite news</ref> David Fricke (Rolling Stone) described it as "audacious, unhinged and uncompromising,"<ref name="Fricke"/> and the magazine ranked it 12th on its 2008 year-end list.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
Jon Dolan (Blender) called the music "brilliant" and "Ludicrous", describing the songs as unpredictable suites blending "miasmic industrial grind, stadium rattling metal solos, electronic drift and hip-hop churn."<ref name="Blender"/> Robert Christgau (MSN Music) said Rose "succeeds, kind of, on his own totally irrelevant terms" calling the effort "noble".<ref name="MSN">Template:Cite web</ref> CTV News compared the production to Phil Spector's Wall of Sound,<ref name="CTV">Template:Cite web</ref> while People called it "pure Guns N' Roses."<ref name="CTV"/>
Mixed reviews noted overproduction and inconsistency. Greg Kot (Chicago Tribune) said it sounded like "the work of a fading rock star with far too much money and time".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Guardian found it incohesive but praised Rose's melodies.<ref name="Petridis"/> Pitchfork criticized the "dated" sound,<ref name="Cohen"/> and Q said Rose "did himself a grand disservice" by overloading the mix.<ref name="Qmag"/> Kitty Empire (The Observer) accused Rose of imitating Nine Inch Nails.<ref name="Empire">Template:Cite news</ref> Jon Pareles (The New York Times) called it "a transitional album", saying "Sometime during the years of work, theatricality and razzle-dazzle replaced heart."<ref name="Pareles">Template:Cite news</ref> Stephen Davis labeled it "the worst album ever", comparing it to a 1995 Rob Zombie record.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The album was nominated for the Juno Award for International Album of the Year in 2009, losing to Coldplay's Viva La Vida.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> "If the World" was nominated for Best Original Song at the 13th Satellite Awards, losing to "Another Way to Die" by Jack White and Alicia Keys.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The album was included on several publications' lists of the best and worst albums of the year.Template:Efn
Buckethead's solo on "There Was a Time" received widespread acclaim. Consequence called it one of the decade's best,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Total Guitar ranked it 32nd best of the 21st century,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and readers of that magazine ranked it 6th.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
Former band members' opinions
Slash praised the title track, saying, "It's good to hear Axl's voice again."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He called the album "a great statement by Axl," noting it was "very different" from classic Guns N' Roses and "something the original band could never make".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He later described it as "exactly what I thought it would sound like", citing its use of synthesizers and digital effects.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> After rejoining the band in 2016, Slash complimented Buckethead's guitar work, saying the players on Chinese Democracy were "fucking amazing."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Izzy Stradlin said he enjoyed the tracks he heard.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> Duff McKagan praised Rose's vocals and said the album was "the record he wanted to make".<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Matt Sorum said he was "pleasantly surprised" by the title track, and called the album a "toe-tapper".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Gilby Clarke said Rose "hit the nail on the head" with the direction he pursued.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In contrast, Steven Adler said he didn't recognize Rose's voice and disliked the album, arguing it should have been released as a solo project.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Tracii Guns found it "over-indulgent, sterile and not that exciting".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Accolades
| Publication | Accolade | Year | Rank | Template:Abbr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABC News | 50 Best Albums of 2008 | 2008 | check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} | {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} |
| The Guardian | 50 Albums of the Year | 2008 | check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} | {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} |
| Rolling Stone | Top 50 Albums of 2008 | 2008 | check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} | {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} |
| Spin | The 40 Best albums of 2008 | 2008 | check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} | {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} |
| Ultimate Classic Rock | Top 10 Albums of 2008 | 2008 | check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} | {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} |
Legacy
Template:Music ratings The album's long-delayed release became its defining narrative.<ref name="Hyden-2013">Template:Cite news</ref> Spin noted that a "cottage industry" emerged around tracking its development, and suggested the only way it could have lived up to its legend was "to never come out at all".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Steven Hyden (Grantland) called it "shorthand for the grandest of boondoggles,"<ref name="Hyden-2013" /> arguing that the delay overshadowed the music itself. He contrasted it with more modest and successful comeback albums by Daft Punk, David Bowie, Justin Timberlake, and My Bloody Valentine.<ref name="Hyden-2013" />
Ultimate Classic Rock echoed this sentiment, stating the album was "fairly good" but eclipsed by its backstory. They cited artists like Bowie, Steve Perry, and Tool who avoided similar pitfalls by keeping a low profile and meeting fan expectations.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The term Chinese Democracy has since become shorthand for long-delayed albums.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
The New York Times described it as a "loud last gasp" of the indulgent pop star era, noting the shift to a "leaner and leakier" music industry.<ref name="Pareles"/> Jim DeRogatis likened it to The Godfather Part III, a long-awaited sequel that failed to match its predecessors.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Some outlets offered retrospective praise. Complex included it on "50 Albums That Were Unfairly Hated On", praising Roses's vocals and the musicianship and stating that the album's biggest flaw were the delays in release.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Artistdirect called it "a timeless work of art".<ref name="ARTDIR">Template:Cite web</ref> Billboard labeled it a "sonic anomaly" of the time due to the mixing and lack of compression making it sound "vintage or alien to rock music fans".<ref name="CD2018"/> No Recess compared the album to "their own version of Danzig's Blackacidevil", stating "The only thing left was to repeat or radically reinvent themselves. Chinese Democracy tries to do both, to varying degrees of 'okay, sure'."<ref name="NOREC">Template:Cite web</ref>
Loudwire ranked it second-to-last among GN'R albums but prasied tracks like "Better", "Madagascar", "Street of Dreams", "Shackler's Revenge" and "Catcher in the Rye" as standouts.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> NME placed it last, calling it "epic, overblown and full of noodling guitar solos."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Later reassessments were more generous. Ultimate Guitar<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Ultimate Classic Rock highlighted "There Was a Time" as a standout.<ref name="UCR21">Template:Cite web</ref> Gary Graff found its "sprawling, indulgent insanity" more enjoyable in hindsight.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Loudwire<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Rolling Stone both called it "better than remembered," with Joseph Hudak naming "Catcher in the Rye" a highlight.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> Guitarist Bumblefoot said of the album's legacy "people were still just going on about how it took this long to make, and it took this much money, and all that nonsense. And I always said, wait 20 years."<ref>Template:Cite podcast</ref>
Still, criticism persisted. Rolling StoneTemplate:'s Andy Greene listed the album's creation as one of the "50 Worst Decisions in Music History," citing wasted money and fan goodwill.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> He later ranked it 4th among the "Most Disappointing Albums".<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> Former Guns N' Roses manager Alan Niven dismissed it as a "boring" Axl solo project.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Sales
Before release, Best Buy purchased 1.3 million copies of Chinese Democracy from UMG for $14 million,<ref name="2$">Template:Cite web</ref> agreeing not to return unsold stock.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> The album was released on November 22, 2008, in Germany,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Switzerland,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Austria,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> followed by a global release on November 23, except in the UK, where it arrived November 24.<ref name="rs 22 october">Template:Cite magazine</ref>
In the U.S., the album debuted at number three on the US Billboard 200 with 261,000 first-week sales, below expectations.<ref name="Yawn">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="261,000">Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref name="billboard">Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref name="The Sun">Template:Cite news</ref> It debuted at number two on the UK Albums Chart.<ref name="UK albums">Template:Cite news</ref> U.S. sales dropped 78% in week two, falling to #18.<ref name="long wait">Template:Cite web</ref> Analysts blamed the holiday release window, Rose's lack of promotion, and the Best Buy exclusivity.<ref name="long wait" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
The album was certified Gold on January 7, 2009,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Platinum on February 3, having shipped one million copies in the U.S.<ref name="Certification">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Rose Speaks">Template:Cite magazine</ref> It ranked 55th on the 2009 Billboard 200 Year-End chart.<ref name="2009 ye">Template:Cite magazine</ref> In Europe, it earned an IFPI European Platinum Award for over one million sales,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and reached 2.6 million units worldwide by February 2009.<ref name="Rose Speaks"/>
It achieved triple Platinum in Canada and Platinum in countries including Germany, UK, Ireland, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.<ref name="net"/> Gold certifications were awarded in Austria, France, Japan, Brazil, and over 20 other countries.<ref name="net">Template:Cite news</ref>
In April 2011, Best Buy discounted the album to $2, prompting a Billboard re-entry at #198 with 3,200 copies sold.<ref name="2$"/> By then, U.S. sales totaled 614,000, according to Nielsen Soundscan.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> UK sales reached 365,899 by July 2014.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Following the 2016 Not in This Lifetime... Tour, digital streams surged from 8 million to 24 million, with 7,900 additional copies sold.<ref name="CD2018"/>
Track listing
Songwriting credits via ASCAP. Template:Track listing
Personnel
Credits adapted from the album's liner notes.<ref name="CDCredits">Template:Cite AV media notes</ref> Template:Col-begin Template:Col-2 Guns N' Roses
- Axl Rose – lead vocals (all tracks), keyboards (tracks 1, 6 and 13), synthesizers (tracks 6, 12 and 13), piano (tracks 7, 13 and 14), rhythm guitar (tracks 6 and 12), samples (track 12), arrangements and digital editing (all tracks), production, Logic Pro engineering, mixing, art direction (Alternative booklets)
- Robin Finck – lead and rhythm guitar (all tracks), guitar solos (all tracks except 2), keyboards (tracks 3 and 5), acoustic guitar (track 10), arrangements, editing and initial production (track 3)
- Bumblefoot – lead and rhythm guitar (all tracks), guitar solos (track 2)
- Buckethead – lead and rhythm guitar (all tracks except 7 and 13), guitar solos (all tracks except 2), acoustic guitar (track 5), arrangements (tracks 2, 8 and 10)
- Paul Tobias – rhythm guitar (tracks 1, 3–7, 9, 11, 12 and 14), piano (track 6), arrangements (tracks 1 and 11)
- Richard Fortus – rhythm guitar (tracks 1, 3–4, 6 and 14)
- Tommy Stinson – bass guitar (all tracks except 5), backing vocals (tracks 1, 3, 4, 6 and 9), arrangements (track 9)
- Brain – drums (all tracks except 1), arrangements (tracks 2–4, 6, 10, 12 and 14), initial production (tracks 2 and 10), engineering (track 10), drum machine and drum programming (track 11), Logic Pro engineering
- Frank Ferrer – drums (tracks 1, 3, 5, 6 and 11)
- Dizzy Reed – keyboards (tracks 1–4, 6–9, 11 and 14), backing vocals (tracks 1, 3, 4, 6 and 9), synthesizers (tracks 4, 6, 13 and 14), piano (tracks 4 and 5), arrangements (tracks 4, 6, 12 and 14), Logic Pro engineering
- Chris Pitman – keyboards (tracks 1–8, 10, 12 and 13), sub-bass (all tracks), synthesizers (tracks 4, 6, 13 and 14), bass and drum programming (tracks 5, 6 and 12), backing vocals (tracks 1, 3 and 6), twelve-string guitar (track 11), drum machine and string machine (track 5), Mellotron (track 6), arrangements (tracks 5, 6, 12, 13), digital editing (tracks 5, 12 and 13), engineering (track 1), additional production, Logic Pro engineering
- Josh Freese – arrangements (tracks 4, 6, 9 and 14)
Template:Col-2 Additional musicians
- Marco Beltrami – orchestra and arrangements (tracks 4, 6 and 12–14)
- Paul Buckmaster – orchestra and arrangements (tracks 4, 6, 12 and 14)
- Suzy Katayama – arrangements (tracks 6, 12 and 13), French horn (track 12)
- Sebastian Bach – backing vocals (track 10)
- Patti Hood – harp (track 13)
Design
- Ryan Corey – art direction, design
- Somyot Hananuntasuk – illustrations
- Sasha Volkova – illustration
- Terry Hardin – cover photography
- George Chin – photography
- Shi Lifeng – artwork (Red Star; 'Controlling' alternate Red Hand cover)
- Lie Yuan, He An, Jiang Congi, Kevin Zuckerman, Lian Xue Ming, Anton S. Kandinsky, Marat Bekeev, Xiao Ping, Lou Jie, Sandra Yagi, Socar Myles, Rankin, Johnie Hurtig, Gloria Gaddis – illustrations (alternate booklet)
Production Template:Div col
- Caram Costanzo – engineering and digital editing (all tracks), arrangements (tracks 2, 3, 6, 8 and 14), initial production (track 8), sub drums (track 13), production, mixing
- Roy Thomas Baker – additional production and preproduction
- Jeff "Critter" Newell, Dan Monti, Jeremy Blair – engineering
- Eric Caudieux – digital editing (all tracks), drum machine and drum programming (track 5), arrangements (tracks 6), sub drums (track 13), additional production, Pro Tools engineering
- Sean Beavan – recording and digital editing (tracks 1, 4–6, 9, 11, 12 and 14), arrangements (tracks 1, 4, 6, 9 and 11), initial production (tracks 4–6, 11 and 12), additional production
- Youth – initial arrangement suggestions, Additional Demo Pre-production (track 12)
- Pete Scaturro – arrangements and initial production (tracks 2 and 10), keyboards, digital editing and engineering (track 10)
- Billy Howerdel – recording and editing (track 6), Logic Pro engineering
- Stuart White – Logic Pro engineering
- John O'Mahony – Pro Tools mixing
- Okhee Kim, Andy Gwynn, Brian Monteath, Dave Dominguez, Jose Borges, Joe Peluso, Christian Baker, James Musshorn, Jan Petrov, Jeff Robinette, Bob Koszela, Paul Payne, Mark Gray, Xavier Albira, Dror Mohar, Eric Tabala, Shawn Berman, Donald Clark, Shinnosuke Miyazawa, Vanessa Parr, John Beene, Al Perrotta – engineering assistance
- Greg Morgenstein, Paul DeCarli, Billy Bowers, Justin Walden, Rail Jon Rogut, Isaac Abolin – additional Pro Tools
- Andy Wallace – mixing
- Mike Scielzi, Paul Suarez – mixing assistance
- Bob Ludwig – mastering
Charts
Template:Col-begin Template:Col-2
Weekly charts
| Chart (2008) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Argentine Albums (CAPIF)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | 1 |
| European Top 100<ref name="Euro">Template:Cite magazine</ref> | 1 |
| Greek Albums<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | 10 |
| Hungarian Albums Chart<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | 4 |
| Israeli Albums Chart<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | 3 |
| Japanese Oricon Albums Chart<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | 3 |
| Polish Albums Chart<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | 1 |
| Russian Albums Chart<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | 4 |
| Slovenian Albums (IFPI)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | 1 |
| Taiwanese Albums (Five Music)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | 1 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (2008) | Position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums (ARIA)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | 35 |
| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | 85 |
| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | 25 |
| UK Albums (OCC)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | 41 |
| Chart (2009) | Position |
|---|---|
| Canadian Albums (Billboard)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> | 15 |
| Italian Albums (FIMI)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | 95 |
| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | 89 |
| US Billboard 200<ref name="2009 ye"/> | 55 |
| US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> | 16 |
Certifications and sales
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Release history
| Date | Region | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 22, 2008 | Japan | CD, digital download | Geffen / Black Frog |
| November 22, 2008 | Australia | CD, digital download | |
| November 23, 2008 | United States | CD, digital download | |
| November 23, 2008 | Canada | CD, digital download | |
| November 24, 2008 | United Kingdom | CD, digital download | |
| November 24, 2008 | Europe | CD, digital download | |
| November 2008 | Worldwide | Vinyl (limited release) |
See also
References
Footnotes
Further reading
- Chinese Whispers – The Secret History of the New Studio Album
- Classic Rock Magazine: The Making of Chinese Democracy
- New York Times: The Most Expensive Album Never Made
External links
- Chinese Democracy at YouTube (streamed copy where licensed)
- Template:Discogs master
- Template:Metacritic album
Template:Guns N' Roses Template:Tommy Stinson Template:Buckethead
- Pages with non-numeric formatnum arguments
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- 2008 albums
- Geffen Records albums
- Guns N' Roses albums
- Industrial rock albums
- Industrial albums by American artists
- Hard rock albums by American artists
- Electronic rock albums by American artists
- Nu metal albums by American artists
- Albums recorded at Electric Lady Studios
- Albums recorded at Capitol Studios
- Albums recorded at Sunset Sound Recorders
- Albums produced by Mike Clink
- Albums produced by Youth (musician)
- Albums produced by Roy Thomas Baker
- Albums produced by Sean Beavan
- Sampling (music) controversies
- Albums involved in plagiarism controversies
- Albums recorded at the Village (studio)