Did they not visit the house before they bought it...?

elmir wrote:

Apparently, in the brazilian issue of the Rolling Stone, Marc Canteris quoted as saying that one of the problems is that Merck never renewed the album deal last year, thus making it very hard to deal with the record company.

If this is the case, then why the fuck don't they just go somewhere else?

I think whoever is stating this is paraphrasing. I don't think verbatim this is what went on.  You wouldn't "renew" a recording contract?!  He obviously owes them at least 1 album, otherwise the label would not have given him an advance AND he could go to a different label also.

He might have said Merck never "renegotiated" the deal (ie ask for more money, higher royalties, forgive the $13 mil advance). In which the label can say "No" and GnR's still under contract with them and cannot go somewhere else. Possible mix-up in the translation.

This use of the word "dated" is just ridiculous, especially when talking about recordings that aren't finally, mixed , mastered, and RELEASED with authorization from the artist!

My guess on it was that he might have been reacting to things said by the fans or in the press. I don't think he needs to be reacting to something Slash or VR said to have an opinion to share right?