From Loudersound.
Last month Guns N’ Roses surprised fans at their Los Angeles by casually dropping a previously unreleased song, The General, into their set. While the tune originally dates from from the band’s Chinese Democracy sessions, it’s now been released onto streaming platforms as a new studio track, having been recorded, mixed and mastered this summer.
The General is also available as a physical release, occupying the b-side of the limited edition Guns N’ Roses single Perhaps, which is also released today. The pairing will also be available as a Japan-only SHM-CD, which is due for release next month.
The chorus of The General, a slow-burner that features one of Axl Rose’s more anguished vocals, opens with the lines, “My only regret is that I never took the time to forgive all those unspoken feelings” while the pre-chorus finds a him singing, “Can anybody tell me why the pain, it just won’t stop?”
The General was produced by Axl Rose and Caram Costanzo (who also contributes keyboards), while the line-up of musicians featured on the song includes Rose alongside original members Duff McKagan (bass) and Slash (guitar). The rest of the lineup includes current touring members Richard Fortis (guitar) and Dizzy Reid (keyboards), and is rounded out by guitarist Marc Haggard, keyboardist Chris Pitman and and drummer Bryan Mantia. Strings are provided by Marco Beltrami.
According to former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach, The General dates back to 2007.
“It’s by far the heaviest metal tune I think I’ve ever heard Axl do,” he told Metal Edge magazine, “This slow, grinding riff with these high, piercing vocals, screaming vocals. I was like, ‘When is this coming out?’ And he said, ‘2012’.” The following year, Bach told Rolling Stone that Rose had written The General as a sequel to the Use Your Illusion-era classic Estranged.
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- Guns N Roses - Don't Cry - German - 12" picture disc - £40.00, $50.00, €46.80 (New Item) (arrived 24-Apr-2024 17:49)on April 27, 2024 at 8:13 pm
GUNS N ROSES Don't Cry (1991 German-only limited edition 3-track 12" Picture Disc single, featuring the Original, Alternate Lyrics & Demo Version of the title track, clear PVC sleeve GET-21678)
- Guns N Roses - It's So Easy - German - 12" vinyl - £30.00, $37.50, €35.10 (New Item) (arrived 25-Jan-2024 11:48)on April 27, 2024 at 8:13 pm
GUNS N ROSES It's So Easy (1987 German 4-track 12" maxi-single, also including Mr Brownstone & live versions of Shadow Of Your Love & Move To The City, white bordered picture sleeve. The sleeve displays just a little light general wear & the vinyl has only light signs of play - a superb copy!)
- Guns N Roses - Use Your Illusion II - Remastered 180 Gram - Sealed - UK - 2-LP vinyl set - £26.99, $33.74, €31.58 (New Item) (arrived 19-Dec-2023 16:31)on April 27, 2024 at 8:13 pm
GUNS N ROSES Use Your Illusion II (2022 UK/EU limited edition 14-track double album 2-LP pressed on 180-gram black vinyl, remastered for the first-time ever from high-resolution 96kHz 24-bit transfers from the original stereo 1/2-inch analogue master tapes. Gatefold picture sleeve with hype sticker, factory sealed)
- Guns N Roses - Yesterdays + Sleeve - UK - 12" picture disc - £50.00, $62.50, €58.50 (New Item) (arrived 10-Jan-2024 13:28)on April 27, 2024 at 8:13 pm
GUNS N ROSES Yesterdays (1992 UK limited edition 3-track 12" Picture Disc single, also featuring November Rain and a previously unreleased live version of Yesterdays recorded in Las Vegas on the 25th of January 1992, die-cut picture sleeve GFSTP27)
- Guns N Roses - Appetite For Destruction - 180 Gram - Sealed - UK - vinyl LP - £26.99, $33.74, €31.58 (New Item) (arrived 16-Jan-2024 13:28)on April 27, 2024 at 8:13 pm
GUNS N ROSES Appetite For Destruction (2015 UK/EU limited edition 12-track LP pressed on audiophile quality 180-gram black vinyl - originally released in 1987 and now one of the best-selling rock albums ever, this classic G'n'R debut featuresthe awesome songs Welcome To The Jungle, Paradise City, Nightrain, It's So Easy and Sweet Child O' Mine. Picture sleeve with the less controversial 'Cross' artwork, factory sealed. Essential) #Top 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
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