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 - Live And Let Die - Orange Vinyl - EX - UK - 12" vinyl - £50.00, $62.50, €58.00 (New Item) (arrived 11-May-2024 09:16)on May 12, 2024 at 9:44 pm
GUNS N ROSES Live & Let Die (Rare 1991 UK Special Limited Edition 12" single pressed on Translucent Orange Vinyl with picture labels, also including a live version of the title track recorded at Wembley Stadiumin August 1991, die-cut picture sleeve. The sleeve is Excellent with some light shelf wear scuffing with creasing & the vinyl remains in Excellent condition with few signs of play GFST17)
- Guns N Roses - Don't Cry - UK - 7" vinyl - £12.00, $15.00, €13.92 (New Item) (arrived 28-Mar-2024 16:01)on May 12, 2024 at 9:44 pm
GUNS N ROSES Don't Cry (1991 UK injection moulded 7" vinyl single featuring the Original and Alternative Lyrics Version, housed in a glossy flipback style card picture sleeve. The sleeve displays some minor general wear and the vinyl has onlylight signs of play GFS9)
- Guns N Roses - Appetite For Conversation - White Vinyl - UK - vinyl LP - £25.00, $31.25, €29.00 (New Item) (arrived 20-Jan-2024 10:35)on May 12, 2024 at 9:44 pm
GUNS N ROSES Appetite For Conversation (1989 UK limited edition interview LP pressed on White Vinyl with picture labels, containing rare & spontaneous interviews with the stars. These interviews are exclusive to Baktabak records & have not been heard by anyone apart from the interviewer prior to release, housed in a hype stickered picture sleeve. The sleeve is still in the shop price stickered open shrinkwrap & the vinyl is unplayed BAK6001)
- Guns N Roses - Use Your Illusion I - Remastered 180 Gram - Sealed - UK - 2-LP vinyl set - £26.99, $33.74, €31.31 (New Item) (arrived 23-Jan-2024 16:58)on May 12, 2024 at 9:44 pm
GUNS N ROSES Use Your Illusion I (2022 UK/EU limited edition 16-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. Includes "November Rain" performed with a real 50-piece orchestra, newly recorded, conducted & arranged by Grammy® Award winning composer Christopher Lennertz. Gatefold picture sleeve with hype sticker, factory sealed)
- Guns N Roses - It's So Easy - German - 12" vinyl - £30.00, $37.50, €34.80 (New Item) (arrived 25-Jan-2024 11:48)on May 12, 2024 at 9:44 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!)
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