^^^^^^^ was just gonna bring izzy up. to me, both buckethead and slash are better suited to add riffs and solos to pre-existing gnr songs. axl can't write guitar based songs.

slash, izzy, and axl equaled gnr magic

buckethead, izzy, and axl could have equaled new gnr magic.

it was my understanding that the label wouldn't release what he had in 2001/2002.

they didn't wnt a gnr/industrial album and axl didnt have 14 rock songs recorded is my guess.

i think most agree with you buzz, that new studio music wouldn't change the status of gnr's popularity but gnr has a pretty good size following, worthy of stregnthening. the fact that they are still able to tour decent size venues across a decent amount of the world with how things have gone since 2008 is testament to that. the band is kicking all kinds of ass. axl doesnt need to release new music to maintain his fan base and even stregnthen it. but it would certainly help if he did. otherwise or in addition to new music, he should take advantage of the band he has assembled and get his live act together as far as his singing goes, throw in a few new songs once in a while, cater the set list to avoid his vocal inadequecies if they remain, along with doing all the things, anyone who knows how the voice works understands that, he can't possibly be doing what he could be doing to sing better. be a professional live act or be an artist. people either love or hate him and the ones who love him can't seem to turn their backs on him completely. but a lot of us can't afford or justify affording to go see the same show every couple years with a declining performance of a frontman who alone represents the gnr legacy.

in misterid's defense I think his point is not to highjack but to point at that slash plus a legend who is out of his prime not only offers more to the ears but would draw a much bigger crowd than slash plus a never was talent does now.