Slash, the world-renowned guitarist, has confirmed that Guns N’ Roses does, in fact, have plans to record a brand new album.
During an interview on 101 WRIF’s Talkin’ Rock show on Tuesday, the 53-year-old (born Saul Hudson) broke the news and shared some updates regarding the album’s progress and why he’s been so indirect about new GNR music in the past.
“When we finish the [GNR] tour in the fall,” he began, “we’ll commence working on [what] will end up being the next Guns record…”
The call cut out immediately after, but the guitarist called back and continued. He proceeded to tell host “Meltdown” that he always wants to be honest about album updates.
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The last GNR record, Chinese Democracy, came out in 2008 (pre-reunion) and featured only two members of the classic lineup — frontman Axl Rose and longtime keyboardist Dizzy Reed.
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It’s been 11 years since fans have been treated to new music and more than two and a half decades since they’ve heard material from the beloved classic lineup.
Before Chinese Democracy came 1993’s The Spaghetti Incident? — which featured no original material, only covers — and then 1991’s Use Your Illusion I and Use Your Illusion II.
In January of 2016, it was revealed that Slash and original bassist Duff McKagan were rejoining the band after more than two decades of being away.
The Not in This Lifetime… tour kicked off that spring at the Troubadour in L.A. and led to a 159-date-long tour across the world. It ended in December of 2018 and grossed more than US$565.3 million, making it one of the biggest concert tours ever.
The current lineup consists of Slash, Rose, McKagan, Reed, Richard Fortus (guitarist since 2002), Frank Ferrer (drummer since 2006) and the latest addition, Melissa Reese (additional keyboardist).
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The resurgence of GNR’s popularity was inevitable in the wake of the reunion. Since then, fans have been “patiently waiting” for new music from the band.
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Whether fans will hear an album reminiscent of their debut Appetite for Destruction (1987) is unclear. While some hope for a “Use Your Illusion III,” others are concerned they’ll receive a rehash of the widely criticized Chinese Democracy.
READ MORE: Slash announces North American tour, 6 Canadian dates
Guns N’ Roses will embark on a quick four-date tour in the U.S. this fall before returning to the studio.
Ahead of this, Slash will hit the road with Myles Kennedy & the Conspirators for a North American summer tour, hitting six Canadian cities.
Additional Living the Dream tour dates and ticket details can be found on the official Slash website.
Living the Dream North American tour dates
** All Canadian dates are bolded **
July 15 — San Francisco, Calif. @ The Warfield Theater
July 17 — Seattle, Wash. @ Showbox SoDo
July 18 — Vancouver, B.C. @ Queen Elizabeth Theatre
July 20 — Edmonton, Alta. @ Edmonton Convention Centre
July 21 — Calgary, Alta. @ Grey Eagle Resort & Casino
July 23 — Winnipeg, Man. @ Burton Cummings Theatre
July 25 — Milwaukee, Wis. @ Pabst / Riverside / Turner Hall
July 26 — Windsor, Ont. @ Colosseum at Caesars Windsor
July 29 — Toronto, Ont. @ Rebel
July 31 — Port Chester, N.Y. @ The Capitol Theatre
Aug. 1 — Northfield, Ohio @ Hard Rock Casino Northfield Park
Aug. 3 — Prior Lake, Minn. @ Mystic Lake Casino Hotel
Aug. 6 — Nashville, Tenn. @ Ryman Auditorium
Aug. 7 — Fort Wayne, Ind. @ Performance Pavilion at Sweetwater
Aug. 9 — Council Bluffs, Iowa @ Harrah’s @ Stir Cove
Aug. 12 — Atlanta, Ga. @ Tabernacle Atlanta
Aug. 13 — Orlando, Fla. @ Hard Rock Live Orlando
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