January 20, 2006 10:03

Guns N’ Roses album to see light of day

Axl Rose promises music this year

Guns N’ Roses’ long-awaited album ‘Chinese Democracy’ is nearing completion, according to singer Axl Rose.

The reclusive frontman has broken his silence on the band’s LP – their first original material since 1991’s ‘Use Your Illusion’ albums.

"People will hear music this year," he said. "I'm trying to do something different. Some of the arrangements are kind of like Queen. Some people are going to say, 'It doesn't sound like Axl Rose, it doesn't sound like Guns N' Roses.’ But you'll like at least a few songs on there."

Speaking about the progress of ‘Chinese Democracy’ to Rolling Stone, Rose explained: “We're working on 32 songs, and 26 are nearly done.”

Of those tracks, 13 are slated for the final album, with Rose picking out ‘Better’, ‘There Was A Time’ and ‘The Blues’ as personal favourites.

However, Rose has revealed that a reunion with his original Guns N’ Roses bandmates is unlikely, saying: “"I haven't spoken to (guitarist) Slash in ten years. I love the guy, I always wanted everyone to know how great he was, but.... I was just talking to Izzy (Stradlin – guitarist) the other day though."

The current line-up of the band could be hitting the road in the near future.

"Every time there's a big festival announced, we get rumoured to be on there," he said. "But we'll see what happens."