Guns N' Roses - Chinese Democracy (2008)

Chinese Democracy is the sixth studio album by the American hard rock band Guns N' Roses, released on November 23, 2008, by Black Frog and Geffen Records. It was the first Guns N' Roses studio album since the 1993 covers album "The Spaghetti Incident?", and their first album of original studio material since Use Your Illusion I and II (1991). It languished in development hell for eight years, delayed by personnel and legal problems, label interference, and the perfectionism of vocalist Axl Rose. It was the first Guns N' Roses album without Izzy Stradlin, Slash, and Duff McKagan, and the first not produced by Mike Clink; instead it was produced by Rose and Caram Costanzo.

After the Use Your Illusion Tour ended in 1993, Guns N' Roses spent several years rehearsing ideas for a new album. However, several members left following creative and personal differences with Rose and no music was released. In 1998, Rose, keyboardist Dizzy Reed, guitarists Paul Tobias and Robin Finck, drummer Josh Freese, bassist Tommy Stinson and multi-instrumentalist Chris Pitman began writing and recording new songs. Originally intended for a 1999 release, Chinese Democracy was rerecorded and delayed multiple times. The lineup shifted several times, incorporating guitarists Buckethead, Richard Fortus, and Bumblefoot and drummers Brain and Frank Ferrer. The band recorded over 50 songs, intending to release multiple albums. With costs reportedly exceeding $13 million, it became the most expensive rock album ever produced.

Chinese Democracy was promoted with the Chinese Democracy Tour (2001-2011), gaining notoriety for cancelled shows and riots. After missing a release date of March 2007, Chinese Democracy was released in November 2008, dogged by leaks and legal disputes. The release was preceded by the title track as lead single. The album was distributed exclusively by Best Buy stores in North America and debuted at number three on the Billboard 200, and was certified platinum. It received generally favorable reviews, achieved international chart success, and sold over one million copies in Europe. Retrospective reviews have been more favorable, noting the extended recording process and delays often overshadowed the music.