Chinese Democracy elects Rock Band

Last year, the seemingly unthinkable came to pass: Guns 'N' Roses released Chinese Democracy, the follow-up to its 1993 cover album The Spaghetti Incident? Aside from laying to rest the question of whether the album release would predate China actually changing governments, the album proved...

Last year, the seemingly unthinkable came to pass: Guns 'N' Roses released Chinese Democracy, the follow-up to its 1993 cover album The Spaghetti Incident? Aside from laying to rest the question of whether the album release would predate China actually changing governments, the album proved popular. It has charted in Billboard's Top 200 for 10 consecutive weeks, topping out at No. 3 before beginning its descent.

Now that it's out, frontman Axl Rose seems keen on having Chinese Democracy disseminated as widely as possible. In an interview with Billboard, Rose confirmed that the album will see release by way of MTV Games and Harmonix's Rock Band.

"There is talk about a Rock Band release, and they felt the record--based on the nature and complexity of the depth of instrumentation--deserved a bit more attention and some more involved elements than they've generally dealt with," Rose said. "I have no idea what that means but it's my understanding they were very enthusiastic." The release was initially scheduled for February 28, but it has since been pushed back later this spring, according to Billboard.

In addition to releasing a new batch of downloadable tracks each week, Harmonix regularly updates Rock Band and Rock Band 2 for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 with full-album song packs. Albums confirmed for release or already out for the four-piece rhythm game include the Red Hot Chili Peppers' Blood Sugar Sex Magik, Rush's Moving Pictures, Megadeth's Peace Sells...But Who's Buying, and Motley Crue's Dr. Feelgood.

For more information, check out GameSpot's previous Rock Band coverage.

61 Comments

  • thoraxe5000

    Posted Feb 11, 2009 8:30 pm PT

    I thought they were going to do this when the album was released but knowing that it will come out eventually sounds pretty good

  • smashmypumpkin

    Posted Feb 11, 2009 8:08 am PT

    I hope we don't have to wait as long for the DLC as we did for the album...

  • doctorwang12

    Posted Feb 10, 2009 2:20 pm PT

    but i just wish guitar hero would have done it...

  • SaraSlash

    Posted Feb 9, 2009 3:43 pm PT

    Having played a couple of G'n'R songs on guitar hero some G'n'R DLC for rockband sounds good to me

  • Jrock7

    Posted Feb 9, 2009 11:54 am PT

    I just bought the cd and I like it. Feel good to play and sing the album. Don't like Axl Rose, but I can't lie. He is a talented songwriter and singer.

  • Megavideogamer

    Posted Feb 8, 2009 9:13 pm PT

    Chinese Democracy actually beat "Duke Nukem Forever" to the marketplace.

  • necronaux

    Posted Feb 8, 2009 10:25 am PT

    "...based on the nature and complexity of the depth of instrumentation--than they've generally dealt with..." Translation... Axle is being a d*&# as usual. Hope they don't expect Rose to actually do any publicity or promoting of their stuff. First album released in 15 years and he screwed BestBuy over by not doing any advertising, interviews, or promotions... I'm surpriesedthey even got a comment from him on the RB possibility.

  • Dapsone posted Feb 8, 2009 7:42 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Dapsone

    Posted Feb 8, 2009 7:42 am PT (hide)

    Do they really think this is a good thing? Chinese Democracy is about the crappiest album I've heard in the last decade. Thank God, I pirated it before the release to check it out before wasting my money on the album. Axl Rose seriously needs to go into permanent retirement...

  • score89

    Posted Feb 7, 2009 1:37 pm PT

    mmm sounds good but i don't know, it it would be better if it where a "best of" pack, like one of the who

  • mastriania

    Posted Feb 7, 2009 12:13 pm PT

    I want Dr. Feelgood. That would make my neighbors real happy to hear that album over and over and over (I think it's great as far as hair metal goes).

  • WayaOhni

    Posted Feb 7, 2009 5:08 am PT

    Actually for those complaining and wanting Appetite, or even Use Your Illusion for that matter, that would require some of the originals to sign off on the release, i.e.-Slash, it ain't happening. Wish it would, cause Locomotive on RB would be incredible.

  • Pete5506

    Posted Feb 6, 2009 8:47 pm PT

    lol taht would be cool

  • 123Dan123

    Posted Feb 6, 2009 8:31 pm PT

    That's hilarious. Too bad the album has been out since last year.

  • darius_danze

    Posted Feb 6, 2009 6:24 pm PT

    LOL!!!! Axl found yet one more way to have Chinese Democracy's release date pushed backed. Hopefully this one won't take anywhere near as long. I'm afraid Rock Band might not still be around in ten years.

  • darius_danze

    Posted Feb 6, 2009 6:23 pm PT

    LOL!!!! Axl found yet one more way to have Chinese Democracy's release date pushed backed. Hopefully this one won't take anywhere near as long. I'm afraid Rock Band might not still be around in ten years.

  • tbolt_88

    Posted Feb 6, 2009 5:05 pm PT

    Sweet. I found CD to be one of the most surprising albums of 2008. I highly expected it to suck, but i ended up liking it a lot. Sure its not old GnR, but it still tops most of whats released these days. I was just surprised that Axl still sounded so good after all these years.

  • sykojason

    Posted Feb 6, 2009 3:18 pm PT

    I'm sick of people saying that Appetite for Destruction was a better album than Chinese Democracy. DUH!!! Everyone knows that; but Appetite for Destruction was a rare gem that had the good fortune of coming together the way it did. Stop saying that Chinese Democracy doesn't sound like Appetite for Destruction, cuz not even Use Your Illusion sounds like Appetite for Destruction. Chinese Democracy was a good album if you look at it as a singular album and not a follow up to Appetite. Also, it doesn't matter that Guns is only Axl now. He's a damn good singer and has top-notch talent working with him. Guns is my favorite band and I love Axl for keeping Guns alive. The band is bigger than the original members and I think it's important that even though the original members may not be there, Guns is still around.

    Stop Hatin

  • smbius

    Posted Feb 6, 2009 2:18 pm PT

    Might as well put the album Appetite for Destruction while they're at it. =)

  • KSigMTSU

    Posted Feb 6, 2009 2:18 pm PT

    Buckethead can play guitar very well is a serious understatement. Buckethead is easily one of the top 2 or 3 living rock and metal guitar musicians. He dosen't play with the same feel as slash, but he is more techincally proficient. That dosen't necessarily mean he plays stuff that sounds good to everyone, hes just incredibly gifted. The stuff he did with Primus feature probably the best bass player and guitar player to ever play as a duo, and I might even go so far as to say with Brain on drums they were the best threesome playing together in history on instruments, in rock or metal music. Les Claypool sings like absolute garbage though. I mean, its funny, but it isn't anything you'd call "good".

    Also, they forgot the No Doubt singles album.. it and the RHCP album are easily the best two end to end albums you can get for Rock Band.

  • aldrenar47

    Posted Feb 6, 2009 1:55 pm PT

    Weak album.... it wouldn't have sold many copies at all if it didn't have the Guns n Roses name attatched. It's not even really GNR, just Axl. They couldn't come up with a better riff for the title track?

  • rocker4life521

    Posted Feb 6, 2009 1:45 pm PT

    Well, the good news is, at least Guns N' Roses is getting some well-deserved Rock Band recognition finally thanks to Axl finally doing some form of promoting. Hopefully, next he will let Appetite be another future release, because THAT would be legendary.

  • redskinStu

    Posted Feb 6, 2009 1:38 pm PT

    I was actually surprised at Chin. Democ. It was "Better" than I ever expected.
    Rose actually wrote some good songs, and Buckethead can actually play guitar very well.

  • DarthMstrChf

    Posted Feb 6, 2009 1:36 pm PT

    Axl Rose's birthday today, Feb. sixth

  • BattleSword1

    Posted Feb 6, 2009 1:34 pm PT

    I remember back in the day when GNR was actually a good band.

  • hiphops_savior

    Posted Feb 6, 2009 1:28 pm PT

    Please Axl, kick your ego out the door and bring in Appetite for Destruction for DLC.

  • TheDecoy2124

    Posted Feb 6, 2009 1:27 pm PT

    Chinese Democracy = Epic Fail

  • allnamestaken

    Posted Feb 6, 2009 1:09 pm PT

    In Communist China, album elects you!

  • B1G_DADDY

    Posted Feb 6, 2009 1:07 pm PT

    Everyone say appetite for destruction was the best, I definately think use your illusion 1 is way better

  • hiway2hell

    Posted Feb 6, 2009 12:59 pm PT

    Album was too hyped up

  • Stevewins1

    Posted Feb 6, 2009 12:54 pm PT

    Definitely not as good as their other albums... >_>

  • FSUJD524

    Posted Feb 6, 2009 12:50 pm PT

    NecromancerDave- Sorry you disagree. But the way I look at Guitar Hero is "gimmicky". Very typical songs that just about everyone knows and loves or has atleast heard of the songs....15 years ago. Harmonix has been good about keeping things relatively fresh in the past. But in the past there hasnt been a recession in the gaming community so why on earth would they move away from something thats making them millions? It doesnt make sense to go into the unknown like they have before and create something "new". Its not fiscally sound. They are currently letting the DLC take them on the ride until the next, and probably final game gets released to just ride the wave a little longer. As far as The Beatles game goes I read more into it and it sounds like its going to be seperate from Rock Band AND Guitar Hero. Perhaps the game will be compatible with both sets of instruments? Who knows. I'm simply hoping no more plastic "instruments" like a piano or something.

  • lord_altan

    Posted Feb 6, 2009 12:49 pm PT

    People always complain. STOP COMPLAINING. This is great news. kthx

  • brenden403

    Posted Feb 6, 2009 12:46 pm PT

    Appatite for destruction is way better and would be a lot more fun to play.

  • HelIWithoutSin

    Posted Feb 6, 2009 12:45 pm PT

    This is good news because it opens the doors to get Appetite for Destruction.

  • thebigdaddyrob

    Posted Feb 6, 2009 12:44 pm PT

    I am looking forward to playing " There was a time", on RB. That is my favorite song on the new album. I would love a chance to play Mr. Brownstone too.

  • n00bproof

    Posted Feb 6, 2009 12:31 pm PT

    Posting here because that was the greatest news title ever.

  • Alixx_Sixx

    Posted Feb 6, 2009 12:30 pm PT

    godamnit now we gotta wait another ten years before it hits rock band! seriously just give us appetite for destruction already

  • Generic_Dude

    Posted Feb 6, 2009 12:22 pm PT

    I'll probably pick up a track or two from this. The album was a little disappointing -- particularly with the incredible talent behind it (Axl Rose, Robin Finck, Buckethead, Tommy Stinson et al) -- but after a wait of over a decade, I suppose just about anything made by a human being would come off as anticlimactic. If you approach it without those unmeetable expectations, you'll find a solid rock album within.

    @klugenbeel: "Chinese Democracy" still betters anything that Velvet Revolver has done to date.

  • snarple_basic

    Posted Feb 6, 2009 12:21 pm PT

    Ahhh this is a good idea since the sales have been a bit disappointing for this much hyped album. I think this is the smartest thing Axl Rose has done for this album!!!

  • timhen

    Posted Feb 6, 2009 12:17 pm PT

    OH GOD! Nooooooooo!

  • Superdude475

    Posted Feb 6, 2009 12:15 pm PT

    Someone has to fire who ever thinks up the names for articles. Also Chinesse Democracy was a horrible album

  • klugenbeel

    Posted Feb 6, 2009 12:14 pm PT

    Well there is at least 1 song i will download of this. Overall the new GNR sucks compared to the GNR we all know and love, which had the man, Slash. Plain and simple, Rose needs to take his head out of his @$$ and get Slash back, Chinese Democracy isn't a bad CD, way better than a lot of the crap released these days, but compared to GNR we know and love, its crap and thats sad to say. I liked Guns N' Roses...not Axel N' Roses. But i am still looking forward to getting a couple new songs, i haven't bought anything lately since a lot of Country (couph couph, CRAP) has come out for a game called ROCK Band, not COUNTRY Band.

  • NecromancerDave

    Posted Feb 6, 2009 11:56 am PT

    FSUJD524 -

    I disagree, I absolutely don't think there will be a Rock Band 3. And if there is, it won't be made by Harmonix. Look at Harmonix' history: Frequency and its sequel Amplitude (which was much better) --> Guitar Hero and Guitar Hero 2 (which was much better, oh, and the 80s game) --> Rock Band and Rock Band 2 (which fixed the few things that were wrong). Now Harmonix is moving onto something new, they're about making new games that are innovative and constantly new and interesting for the players. They're not like other companies that will grab hold of something and milk it until every last drop of fun if squeezed out and players turn away from it (which is Neversoft did with Guitar Hero). People LOVE Harmonix because of this very very good reputation of keeping things fresh and ALWays focusing on the players. So don't expect a Rock Band 3...expect something better.

  • Sins-of-Mosin

    Posted Feb 6, 2009 11:55 am PT

    It was a horrible album, just horrible.

  • enix165

    Posted Feb 6, 2009 11:50 am PT

    @Legendkillerh2:There was free Dr. Pepper with it? D= Dude, I've been wanting to try that stuff for SO long...I hate being ignorant. XD

  • Legendkillerh2

    Posted Feb 6, 2009 11:47 am PT

    This CD wasnt even worth the free Dr. Pepper they gave out for it...

  • roflmuffins8

    Posted Feb 6, 2009 11:45 am PT

    @ strider762

    I agree, I liked their older songs a lot better than the ones in Chinese Democracy.

  • andrwindmddl77

    Posted Feb 6, 2009 11:44 am PT

    To FSUJD524: The beatles game has been confirmed by Harmonix though it won't be part of rock band. still wish they would let some downloadable content for rb when it releases

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