Key moment to release it was fall 2002 weeks after the VMA's, and the last good chance it had was immediately after the 2006 leaks.

Nothing will ever bring interest in the album like it would've had in years past. The myth is dead and his own fanbase is in its death throes and the media doesn't care either. Last year, the most pro Axl supporter in the media(Kurt Loder) was on some podcast and not only questioned the album's existence but said it was a "fiasco". The media didn't even blink this year when they toured overseas. Some will say, "well it was overseas so they didn't care". If true, why did the media talk about M.I.A's overseas tour, and she is a mid level artist? Face it. No one cares but the few thousand spread out on these forums. Baz shoved Axl down the world's throat for 2 solid months and it only got him 6 thousand copies sold in the US. Not a coincidence.

I've said this for a long time but I'll say it again. This album will be lucky to debut in the top 10, and will be lucky to still be in the top 200 a month after its release. Only way this album is guaranteed a top 10 spot is if Uni releases it during a week where NOTHING is going on.

As Buzzsaw mentioned, the downloading ers guarantees low sales anyways, and when you pile everything else on, things look pretty bleak. His other point about music fans not looking for a man approaching 50 to take over the rock world is the absolute truth.

I said this at HTGTH many moons ago: Best Axl/new GNR can hope for is a Rod Stewart late 80's type career with less album sales and less media attention.

This isn't a knock against the band. I love the CD songs. But just because I love those songs doesn't mean I need to put blinders on and act like its going to be peaches and cream.  Its not, and I think more and more people are now willing to admit that.