What exactly IS delaying Chi-Dem so much?

[Gringo Satanico]

I'm not posting this as a complain or criticism, but out of genuine curiousity.  What exactly IS delaying Chi-Dem so much?  I mean, seriously, it was nearly 8 years ago that we started hearing from sources around the band (sometimes Axl himself or other band members) that the record was nearly done, and/or it would come out soon.  Since then, we've periodically gotten numerous statements like this one (from Here Today, Gone to Hell):

"GUNS N' ROSES' long-awaited new album, "Chinese Democracy" should be in stores by June, according to keyboardist Dizzy Reed.

"There are just a few odds and ends left to do - a couple of finishing touches, a couple of vocals â€" and we need to mix it," he said.." (November 24, 2002). 

Now, personally, I'm not complaining.  Fact is, I've given up hope completely, and that just means that when it finally comes out, it will be a great surprise.  But, I'm still very curious.  How exactly can an album be almost done for nearly 8 years?  Having heard a lot of the tunes live, I certainly don't buy the "it doesn't really exist" theory.  In fact, I'm pretty sure that a version of Chi-Dem did exist and was nearly done in the early 2000's.  What I'm trying to figure out is what's been keeping it from coming out since then. 

I've heard the usual theories about Axl being a perfectionalist or being insecure about the album coming out, and maybe that has something to do with it.  But, another thing I've noticed:  because the album is taking so long to come out, the band periodically loses a member (Josh Freese, Paul Huge, Buckethead, Brain, etc.), and then they get a new member.  Then, it seems that they have to add the new member to the mix, and so the album gets delayed for a while longer, and in the meantime, another member leaves, and then the whole thing starts all over again. 

So, that's ONE idea about why it's taking so long.  Does anybody else have any other theories?

[D.DION]

Axl's an obsessive compulsive space-case and he thinks CD is gonna make him a god like he feels he should be.


I can't wait to download it!

[DazRose01]

I think it's more to do with legal issues, and therefore they haven't rushed to finish CD up until recently. I have a feeling it's over the name "Guns N' Roses", with regard to putting out a new album whereby Slash and Duff won't receive royalties for something they had no involvment over. My theory.

[misterbrownstone]

i also read somewhere it's been a pain in the butt to get the Martin Luther King speech in there, because it's owned by some association, and they're being lame about letting Axl use them on the album.

also, he's done (industrial), redone (epic), re-redone (current) over the years, but still.  also, i'm under the impression he's not only recording songs for Democracy, but the other 2 albums as well.

[jamillos]

Now that's true. I've even heard (from a credible source), that there are only be like 5 new songs and the rest will be whole "Appetite" acoustic and "Lies" re-recorded in a very heavy sound. Some old band members are expected to be on the album, too, and Steven A. will replace Frank F. - take it for granted...

[Jus10]

it does smell of fishiness.

the truth is evident.  no matter what is going on, the current band members are obviously under contract to NOT SAY A WORD.  and this could even mean, if axl ever chose to replace them at any given point. 

this could also suggest why there will always be continuous rumors of past band members re-joining the band. 

For those who think this is absurd...

Izzy Stradlin in 2006.

No one believed that would ever happen.

[benny112980]

Now that's true. I've even heard (from a credible source), that there are only be like 5 new songs and the rest will be whole "Appetite" acoustic and "Lies" re-recorded in a very heavy sound. Some old band members are expected to be on the album, too, and Steven A. will replace Frank F. - take it for granted...

That sounds about as far fetched as any rumor to date.

[Axlcrazy]

Axl is a perfectionist to the extreme...period

I can picture him waking up in the middle of the nite running down to the studio to change 1 note

[dave-gnfnr2k]

Axl is afraid, its that simple

[Ruiner]

axl needs a smack :P

[masterrecorder]

Yes, but he could get back his self-esteem with releasing the album and receive good feedback

[RyanRose]

Because of the long wait its been built so much, when really its just another album

[PurpleHaze]

The album could have been released in one form or another for the past 7 years. In all that time post 2000, the real barrier to release has always been Axl.

The moment Axl decides it's coming out, it'll happen within a few months. Until then, enjoy the leaks and bootlegs I guess 

[Faxl]

Ive heard and read that Axl's fave thing to do is record, and considering hes a millionaire, maybe hes induldging in his fave hobby - because he can.