Chinese Democracy

Chinese Democracy
Chinese Democracy
Studio album by Guns N' Roses
Released	November 23, 2008
Recorded	1998–2007
Studio	Battery (London); The Bennett House (Franklin); Can-Am (Tarzana); Capitol (Hollywood); Cherokee (Hollywood); Electric Lady (New York City); IGA; Studio at the Palms; Rumbo (Canoga Park); Soundtrack; Sunset Sound (Hollywood); Townhouse (London); Village Recorder (Los Angeles); Woodland Ranch;
Genre	Hard rock; industrial rock; electronic rock; nu metal;
Length	71:18
Label	Black Frog; Geffen;
Producer	Axl Rose; Caram Costanzo;
Guns N' Roses chronology
Singles from Chinese Democracy
	"Chinese Democracy"; Released: October 22, 2008;
Alternate cover

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.^[1]^[2]^[3]

^ Alderslade, Merlin (November 29, 2018). "In defence of Chinese Democracy: why the whole world got Axl's masterpiece wrong". Metal Hammer. United Kingdom: Future plc. Archived from the original on July 9, 2019.
^ Garro, Adrian (January 4, 2023). "Guns N' Roses 'Chinese Democracy' Turns 15 Years Old in 2023 — and it's "Better" Than You Think". Rock Cellar Magazine. Los Angeles, California, USA. Archived from the original on January 5, 2023.
^ Tyler Larson (November 18, 2020). "Bumblefoot on Fretless Guitar 101, THAT Guns N' Roses Album, & Spooky Guitar Picks – Guitar Villains" (Podcast). Music is Win. Retrieved November 15, 2023. At the time, 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.

[1] Alderslade, Merlin (November 29, 2018). "In defence of Chinese Democracy: why the whole world got Axl's masterpiece wrong". Metal Hammer. United Kingdom: Future plc. Archived from the original on July 9, 2019.

[2] Garro, Adrian (January 4, 2023). "Guns N' Roses 'Chinese Democracy' Turns 15 Years Old in 2023 — and it's "Better" Than You Think". Rock Cellar Magazine. Los Angeles, California, USA. Archived from the original on January 5, 2023.

[3] Tyler Larson (November 18, 2020). "Bumblefoot on Fretless Guitar 101, THAT Guns N' Roses Album, & Spooky Guitar Picks – Guitar Villains" (Podcast). Music is Win. Retrieved November 15, 2023. At the time, 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.

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