Experience the raw emotion and epic sound of Guns N’ Roses’ latest release: The General

Welcome to Music Nation 365! Last month, Guns N’ Roses surprised fans at their Los Angeles show by casually dropping a previously unreleased song, The General, into their set. This incredible tune originally dates back to the band’s Chinese Democracy sessions and has now been released onto streaming platforms as a brand-new studio track.

The General is also available as a physical release, serving as the b-side of the limited edition Guns N’ Roses single, Perhaps, which is being released today. Fans in Japan will be thrilled to hear that the pairing will also be available as a Japan-only SHM-CD, set for release next month.

The chorus of The General is a slow-burner with one of Axl Rose’s more anguished vocals, opening with the heartfelt lines, “My only regret is that I never took the time to forgive all those unspoken feelings.” The pre-chorus delves into deeper emotions as Axl sings, “Can anybody tell me why the pain, it just won’t stop?”

Produced by Axl Rose and Caram Costanzo, The General features a lineup of musicians that includes original members Duff McKagan on bass and Slash on guitar. The rest of the lineup consists of current touring members Richard Fortus on guitar and Dizzy Reid on keyboards, along with guitarist Marc Haggard, keyboardist Chris Pitman, and drummer Bryan Mantia. Strings on the track are provided by Marco Beltrami.

It’s worth noting that the availability of The General on streaming platforms may vary based on different timezones, so keep an eye out for its release in your area. Former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach has mentioned that The General dates back to 2007, describing it as one of the heaviest metal tunes he’s heard Axl Rose perform.

Sebastian Bach stated in 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’.” Additionally, Bach revealed to Rolling Stone the following year that Rose had written The General as a sequel to the Use Your Illusion-era classic, Estranged.

If you’re a fan of Guns N’ Roses, this new release is a must-listen! Stay tuned for more updates from Music Nation 365, and don’t forget to sign up below to receive the latest news from Classic Rock, along with exclusive special offers, directly to your inbox!